Tyntesfield

We have just returned from a weekend in Somerset, spending time with friends and their kids which was fantastic. Any time that we go somewhere new I always check if there are any National Trust venues nearby to visit and five minutes from where we were staying is Tyntesfield.

Tyntesfield is an ornate Victorian Gothic Revival house with extensive garden and parkland, just a stone's throw from Bristol. I always feel that NT venues in this part of England are just enormous! It reminded me slightly of Waddesdon Manor, it is the kind of place that you expect to have a batcave underneath it.

Despite its impressive appearance, Tyntesfield was not intended to be an extravagant statement of wealth, power or politics. Its purpose was simple: to serve as a family home.

Originally a smaller Georgian house, Tyntesfield was transformed into a Gothic Revival masterpiece. Its bespoke architecture reflects the devout Anglo-Catholic beliefs of the Gibbs family. Here they invested their wealth derived from controlling the import of Peruvian ‘guano’ fertiliser.

 The garden and estate balance faded beauty and function with an abundance of nature. Flower-filled terraces, an empty lake, extensive woodland, champion trees and a productive kitchen garden give many opportunities for exploration. And with each season you can experience a new side to Tyntesfield.

It was an absolute scorcher of a day so after exploring the inside and wandering slowly through the gardens, we headed out for lunch and to cool off with a refreshing glass of rose!