Tyntesfield House, Wraxall, North Somerset. A magnificent example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture.

The original Regency building of 1813 was transformed in the 1860s by architect John Norton into a magnificent country house in Victorian Gothic Revival style.

Tyntesfield came into the possession of the Gibbs family in 1843.  It was around this time that the family's business venture in agricultural fertiliser and the shipment of guano from islands off Peru began to produce great wealth. The restructuring of the house started by William Gibbs was completed in 1864. It then remained the family home until the death of George Richard Lawley Gibbs, 2nd Lord Wraxall, in 2001 whereupon it was eventually bought by the National Trust.

The Tyntesfield Estate in Wraxall, North Somerset, only 10 minutes drive from the outskirts of Bristol, is one of the most popular National Trust properties I have visited.  However, there is ample and convenient car parking close to the restaurant and shop area - often a bit crowded.  Nevertheless, the estate is big enough to spend an afternoon wandering around in peace while enjoying the scenery and bucolic atmosphere and, of course, there is always the Victorian Gothic house to admire. 

The turrets, chimney pots and weathercocks of Tyntesfield House. 

Inside the house the Library and Main Hall are particularly impressive.   Several visits are required to appreciate fully all the wonders of the house, garden and park.