Tyntesfield
Tyntesfield is a country mansion and estate, transformed from a Georgian house to a Victorian Gothic masterpiece - for the Gibbs family almost 200 years ago. It has a wonderful outlook across North Somerset and is now a National Trust property with something different to see whatever time of the year you visit.
Entrance into the house is by a timed-ticket that you obtain when you arrive at the park - at Home Farm Visitor Centre or you can order it online (as they do sell out on busy days). It is then a 10 minute walk from the car park to the house.
Tyntesfield's founder William Gibbs was the son of a Spanish cloth merchant; he was born in 1790 in Madrid and his life is described as being full of struggles. He always had anxieties about money, due to sacred debts he had to repay; but he made his fortune, not from cloth, but from trading in guano. Through the house, you can see countless objects that have been collected on William's travels around the world - as well as those from his beloved Spain.
There are extensive grounds with various sections of formal gardens and open fields. The terrace in front of the house here, is planted up with seasonal bedding at different times of the year.
And out through the arch at the end of the passageway, there is a magnificent view across the countryside; a huge conservatory used to fill this space until it fell into disrepair in the War.
This quaint little building used to be a play house!
When it is your allocated time to go inside the house (you will not be allowed in any earlier), you have to give your ticket in; and you are given a guide book to help you identify specific items around the house - this book has to be left in the Chapel at the end of the visit.
The Main Hall has a beautiful wooden carved staircase, going up to the Gallery Landing - where the walls are adorned with a variety of paintings. On the ground floor there is often someone playing the piano giving such a feeling of grandeur.
This exquisite stone fireplace was specially designed by the Gibbs family - with lofty statues around the top depicting Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, Justice and Truth.
The library was added about 1863 and contains over 3000 books; it has been used as a sitting and reading room by the family, and was also where they staged theatrical shows.
The dining room with it's impressive columns was originally smaller than it is today; but nevertheless, the family were served their meals by 2 footmen in order of importance (guests first, then the family), whilst the children ate in the nursery.
This room is the Oratory, but was being used as a storage room when I visited - they rotate which rooms are being renovated and used for storage - there are over 60,000 objects in the house.
Throughout the building you can see fascinating pieces collected from all over the world. William Gibbs travelled extensively whilst working for his father, mainly from Spain and Portugal to England and later from the Americas whilst building his own empire.
There are several pieces in Mrs Gibbs room, that are miniature copies of windows and doorways from inside the palace of the Alhambra in Granada - a fortress occupied by Muslim rulers in the 14th and 15th centuries. These are exquisite souvenirs bought back from a visit to southern Spain.
The Gibbs family enjoyed dressing up and putting on plays - especially in costumes of earlier times.
One of my favourite rooms is the Billiard Room, that is one of a group of rooms specifically designed for the men of the household and their boisterous activities.
Upstairs there are just a few rooms open to the public, a bathroom and several bedrooms. One of the more unusual things to look out for is the Gibbs medicine cabinet with over 400 bottles of remedies from all over the world - although not all can actually cure illnesses!
Further along from the bedrooms is the Clyst Lobby which was originally a bedroom corridor; but it became part of the processional route the family took when going to the Chapel. Leading on from this is the Chapel Corridor with its green painted walls (a colour that only the wealthy had, due to the high cost of manufacturing green coloured paint); and its unusual arched ceiling - letting light flood in from above.
The Chapel is one of the most fabulous rooms/buildings on the estate and is connected to the main house by a covered bridge.
William died in 1875 at the age of 84; and although his beautiful Chapel had been completed, it unfortunately wasn't licensed for services until the following year.
There are some fabulous stained glass windows all around the chapel.
On my way out of the house, I spotted the bells that rang when the Master or Mistress of the house was in need of something - and the servants would come running. Very Upstairs Downstairs!
There is much to see around the estate; if you walk down the road from the main house, you pass by the Stable yard and arrive at the Kitchen Garden area. Here is a newly restored Orangery containing tropical plants and overlooking greenhouses that are full to the brim with all manner of plants.
There is a cafe, toilets and an outdoor seating area down in the Kitchen Garden Area - as well as a play area for children. The Pavillion Cafe opens every day at 10:30am and is an ideal place for a rest.
The Kitchen Garden is laid out perfectly and full of traditional produce.
It is quite a long walk back to the car park (back up the hill and past the house), about a 30 minute walk, but there is mini bus for people with limited mobility - to get back to the house and to the Visitor Centre. It doesn't run to a specific timetable but it just keeps travelling around the estate. The last pick up from the Kitchen garden is one hour before the estate closes, times vary with the season.
Further past the house is the old Sawmill - this is where electricity was originally generated (until the house was connected to mains electricity in 1952). This building is now available for private functions.
Back at the Visitor Centre, there is plenty more to see and do! Or things to buy!
You can have a go at making something in the wood shop - under supervision of course.
There is a great cafe by the Visitor Centre - the Cow Barn restaurant, which is very much a traditional out building, selling delicious cakes and snacks - and is open from 10am every day.
Finally, I hope you like this photograph of Mabel the Tyntesfield Cow - she is there to remind everyone that Tyntesfield is a working estate with cows and sheep; and everyone should keep a look out for the areas they need to avoid. There have been livestock here since Victorian times; dogs are allowed in most areas on the estate but there are some dog-free areas - so please be aware.
I hope you have enjoyed my tour of the Tyntesfield Estate and House.
For more information - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield
Lynne
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