Somerset
Somerset is a truly rural county with varied scenery and some outstanding National Trust properties including Elizabethan Montacute House and Dunster Castle with its dramatic location and breathtaking views over Exmoor and the Bristol chanel. Tyntesfield, the extraordinary Gothic Revival house, saved for the nation by the Trust in 2002, stands in north Somerset.

Tyntesfield
This spectacular Victorian country mansion is an extraordinary Gothic Revival extravaganza bristling with towers and turrets. Tyntesfield was inspired and remodelled by John Norton in 1864 for William Gibbs, a successful merchant. It survives intact with an unrivalled collection of Victorian decorated arts, an insight into life below the stairs and a sumptuously decorated private chapel. Standing on a ridge overlooking the beautiful Land Yeo Valley, Tyntesfied is surrounded by over 500 acres of countryside and including formal gardens and a wonderful walled kitchen garden. Tyntesfield was saved for the nation by the National Trust in June 2002 with funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, other heritage partners and a £3 million public appeal. The mansion house is currently undergoing extensive renovation work. Holiday Cottage guests have free access to Tyntesfield house during opening hours and access to the gardens and estate grounds out of hours.

National Trust places nearby: Blaise Hamlet, Clevedon Court, Leigh Woods, Dyrham Park, Prior Park. Shop and pub: Nailsea, clifton pub in failand. Tea-room/shop/café/restaurant: Tyntesfield, Clifton. Other attractions: shopping and sightseeing in Bristol and Bath, Cheddar Gorge, Wookey Hole, Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands. Activities: walking, ice skating.

Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 172