France may be famed for its enchanting castles, like the Château d’Ussé in the Loire Valley—said to have inspired Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty—but you don’t need to travel abroad to experience similar magic. Just under two hours from Birmingham lies Tyntesfield, a breathtaking Victorian Gothic Revival mansion surrounded by 540 acres of historic parkland, woodlands, and orchards.
Nestled near Bristol in North Somerset, Tyntesfield’s turreted architecture looks like it stepped straight out of a fairy tale, evoking the charm of a French countryside chateau. Inside, the house boasts a vast library filled with thousands of books, featuring a grand bay window and roaring fireplace. The impressive hall showcases a soaring 43-foot-high oak lantern roof, while the boudoir is adorned with exquisite boxwood paneling intricately carved with roses, strawberries, and pineapples.
A highlight is the private chapel, modeled after the flamboyant Gothic style of Paris’s Sainte Chapelle, connected to the house by a charming bridge.
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Outside, families can enjoy three play areas and a unique den-building village nestled within the woodlands. Stroll through the beautifully maintained orangery and working kitchen garden to complete your visit. Afterwards, relax with a coffee and cake at the Home Farm Café, set in the Grade II listed Victorian Dairy.
Normally, adult admission costs £21 and children £10.50. However, from March 7 to 14 only, Tyntesfield is open free of charge as part of the National Lottery Open Week. To join this special event, simply bring a paper or digital National Lottery ticket of any date to gain free entry.
Tyntesfield is located at Wraxall, Bristol, North Somerset, BS48 1PA. Driving from Birmingham via the M5 takes just under two hours, traffic permitting. Alternatively, train services run from Birmingham New Street to Bristol Temple Meads in around 1 hour 20 minutes; from there, Tyntesfield is approximately 7.4 miles away. Another option is to alight at Nailsea and Backwell Station, only four miles from the mansion.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore a stunning historic home that truly feels like a storybook come to life.