THREE distinguished properties — two in West Devon and one in East Cornwall — are joining 70 historic houses and gardens in a nationwide project to open their doors to the public.

Among the 18 properties and gardens in?Devon so far to join 'Invitation to View' are Coombe Trenchard in Lewdown and Kelly House at Kelly. Pentillie Castle in East Cornwall has also joined the scheme.

Rosie Inge, a spokeswoman for Invitation to View, told the Times: 'We decide a calendar of opening dates and have a booking scheme. Any adult can buy tickets to join a group on these days which means even a single individual can see round our places.'

The houses consists of interesting properties with architectural, historical or horticultural highlights — some, says Rosie, 'also have gloriously eccentric owners'.

'Most of the houses are only open to groups, such as the National Trust, Country Land and Business Association or Historic Houses Association, so this is the only way individual members of the public are able to see inside them.

'The most important aspect is that the owners themselves will be showing guests around and will therefore give much more of the family history — scandals included — and some of them are opening up parts of the buildings that others don't see.'

Sarah and Philip Marsh were the hosts to visitors looking around Coombe Trenchard recently.

Its house and gardens were designed in 1906 by architect Walter Sarel. The house still has many original arts and cafts features, including a unique 'disappearing' wall, recently discovered.

Gardens are being restored with Edwardian planting schemes and there are woodland walks, water gardens and a croquet lawn, where Sarah will guide visitors who can play a game on the lawn. In June there will be a special Garden Festival with sculpture exhibition — see story, facing page.

At Kelly House the hosts are Sophia and Warin Kelly. The same family has inhabited Kelly House for more than 900 years and the property was recorded in 1086 in the Domesday book. The Kellys are one of eleven knightly families of Devonshire and were responsible for raising an army to defend Henry II. They cunningly supported both sides in the Civil War. In 1742 the Kellys built an elegant Georgian house.

Visitors will see some rooms not normally open to the public and will hear more history.

Upstairs the house is in a dilapidated state with dry rot and deathwatch beetle. It appeared on Channel 4's Country House Rescue, resulting in a cheque from an Australian war pilot who played in a cricket match with Warin's grandfather.

Tenants have seen ghosts and the family organises haunted Hallowe'en dinners in the ancient mediaeval hall, where the carved roof timbers still in place were cut from one oak tree.

Pentillie Castle near St Mellion was built in 1698 by Sir James Tillie.

Visitors will hear the family history behind the castle and learn of the recent restoration and appearance on Channel 4's Country House Rescue.

Sir James Tillie, who stipulated his body was to be wired to his chair in the tower mausoleum, is still awaiting resurrection! But no doubt he would have enjoyed the stunning position above the River Tamar with landscape designed by Repton.

Ted and Sarah Coryton, or their daughter Sammie, will guide visitors around and guests give a more detailed view and explanation of the history of the castle, comparing an original bird's eye view with the present building. The Repton-designed landscape will be viewed against the largely unchanged present layout.

l Dates for April: Tuesday, April 3 at Pentillie Castle, starting at 2pm, £15.?For details and booking go to http://www.pentillie.co.uk">www.pentillie.co.uk. Thursday, April 12 at Kelly House, 2.30pm, £15, http://www.kelly-house.co.uk">www.kelly-house.co.uk. Friday, April 27 at Coombe Trenchard, 2pm, £16, http://www.coombetrenchard.co.uk">www.coombetrenchard.co.uk

For further dates in 2012 see the websites.