Thursday 24 March 2011

Tyntesfield Estate

Photos Copyright: Maggie May

I recently visited Tyntesfield Estate which is owned by the National Trust. I was accompanied by my friend Audrey, and my son, Sam.

Tyntesfield is about 8 miles from Bristol and overlooks the Yeo Valley. It is in lovely grounds and there is ongoing renovation being done but not in an intrusive way.
Tyntesfield is a Victorian estate and has quite a history that is worth reading about and if you have the time, you can visit here.

Unfortunately we decided to go on a Thursday only to discover that the house and the priory are not open to the public on Thursdays or Fridays. However, we decided to go round the grounds which were vast with lovely views overlooking the valley. In fact, it would be quite easy to spend a day just looking round the lovely gardens, walking along the paths that weave through woodland and countryside. It would probably not be possible to see everything in a day.

This is one of a pair of lions that stands at each side of the steps that lead up to the formal gardens.

The Priory is quite Gothic in design with many little gargoyles looking down at us. A bit far away to zoom right in with my camera.

Going back to the formal gardens, this walkway will look beautiful later on in the year when the plants and flowers will cover these archways into a solid roof. Maybe it will take a few years to get to that stage but I would definitely like to go back and see just what does grow there.


This is one of two little summerhouses that stand at each end of the formal garden and I think these were my favourite things about this garden. I loved the tiles and the benches that looked so inviting. There were plenty of little places to sit for people with weary feet.
Sitting on these benches gives one a view of the formal gardens in the picture below. It is very restful and a soothing place to be.
Yes, I would definitely go again and the weather was just perfect on the day that we visited.







32 comments:

John Nicoll said...

Thanks for that little virtual tour.It's been a long winter and it cheered me up no end!

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous place! Love the shot of the summerhouse!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Wow it's gorgeous! I can only imagine how impressive the inside must be.

Brian Miller said...

nice. thanks for taking us with you...the gardens are amazing and the views spectacular...

Jeni said...

What a fascinating -and gorgeous -place, Maggie. Thanks so much for sharing this. I love getting virtual tours from all over the world via blogging, don't you?

Irene said...

I hope you go back in June or so, Maggie, when the gardens will be blooming. It would be great to see what it looked like then. Too bad that you didn't get to see the house. It would be nice to see the opulence those people lived in. I would have been quite happy there.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I love big old houses like this. I thought you were telling us you'd moved there for a minute!! We have a lot of period stately homes in Northumberland and I adore them all.

CJ xx

Rosaria Williams said...

So many beautiful places I would never have known about! Thanks for sharing.

Akelamalu said...

What a lovely place! I love the little summerhouse and I would imagine that walkway is fabulous in summer covered in blooms!

FeltByRae said...

My Mum and I drove past here the other week... it's on our list of places to visit this summer. I'm looking forward to it even more now ater seeing your lovely photos

CiCi said...

The bushes shaped like mushrooms are different, and makes it easy to keep the ground immaculate beneath them. The gardens are so lovely, and like you say will be better when the blossoms are there. I look forward to when you return there some day in a different season.

Suburbia said...

I was thinking about visiting again while the weather is do lovely!
You have captured a lovely mood with your photos, I particularly like the last one.
We were at Killerton the other weekend, the spring flowers were a picture :-)
This weather makes all the difference doesn't it?

How are you?

Eddie Bluelights said...

Never been there myself but I have seen TV programmes about it. Shame the house was not open on Thursday. Great photos.
Have not been here for a while - been very busy. Love Eddie x

Happy Frog and I said...

I really enjoyed your post. Such beautiful photos and such a lovely place. Thank you. x

mrsnesbitt said...

Looks a lovely place for a visit. Thanks for sharing. Dxx

Wendy said...

Fascinating! I do hope you go back in the summer and take some pics of that walkway. I'd love to see the flowers and vines that cover it!
Like that summerhouse too, so quaint and pretty.
Thanks for taking us along. Looks like you had a good visit, despite not being able to go inside.

Mimi said...

It's a fine -looking house, and the gardens are beautiful.
Maggie, you'll definitely have to go back on a day when it's open, ad take lots of photos for us please.
Love the tiled summerhouse, I think it's great to have lots of places to sit for a bit and rest weary feet.

Hilary said...

It looks like a wonderful excursion. I love the architecture and I'm envious of your beautiful green spring!

Dimple said...

It looks like something Jane Austen would write about. Really beautiful and serene.

Bernie said...

Such a beautiful place Maggie, definitely on my bucket list....:-)Hugs

Mickle in NZ said...

A beautiful place on a glorious day, I hope you get to visit again as everything warms up. And how wonderful to share this lovely place with a special friend and your dear son.

With loving huggles and purrrumbling, Michelle and Zebby.

Sueann said...

Oh my gosh!! How beautiful is that!! Love the archway!! I bet it is gorgeous in the summer with all the flowers and vines in full bloom!! Wow!
Hugs
SueAnn

Clare Dunn said...

So lovely!
Thank you for sharing these photos with those of us who may never get to see the "real thing".

xoxoxo, clare

Celia said...

Wow, wow! What a great place to visit. Imagine staying in a place like that! Thanks for the tour.

secret agent woman said...

What a beautiful place!

Rose said...

What a beautiful place! You are so lucky to have such magnificent buildings and estate like this within an easy distance to visit. I think I could spend months just visiting all the lovely gardens in the UK!

Anonymous said...

Hello Maggie from another Maggie over at mrsrunofthemills.
Thanks so much for leaving a comment, always lovely to hear from someone new.
Have you posted pictures of your rabbits, would love to see them? I'll come back and visit again.

Maria said...

What a beautiful estate. You must have had a lovely day.

merry weather said...

Ah, that was a very pleasant post. Thanks Maggie.
You do take super pictures! What a beautiful house and estate - and how well-preserved. Golly!

I've never heard of it before but I shall keep it in mind for the next visit to my parents - who live in North Wilts. Tyntesfield would make a lovely family day out I think :-)

And - you're in my thoughts - X

merry weather said...

I'm back again - I just followed your link to the Gibbs family history page: Their empire was built on bird poo - !

Chuckling!

(But their story would make a great book, I've no doubt)

tattytiara said...

Oh it's so beautiful. I especially like the perspective you took on the priory. Great shots.

Gail Is This Mutton? said...

Great piece and great photos Maggie. I feel like I've been on a guided tour.