Dyrham Park is another of the great country estates in western England, cared for by the National Trust—and it is this place that I would like to tell you about today. The National Trust is an independent organisation responsible for the preservation of historic buildings and places of national importance in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1895 by Robert Hunter, Hardwicke Rawnsley and Octavia Hill.
Under its care are historic houses and sites of great cultural value across the United Kingdom. Scotland has its sister organisation—the National Trust for Scotland. We have written many times about how much we appreciate this remarkable approach to protecting a nation’s cultural heritage.
Dyrham Park – visiting a beautiful historic estate
Dyrham Park lies close to Bristol, just 15 miles from the city centre, which is why we visit it fairly often. We sometimes come here simply to enjoy a quiet walk in peaceful surroundings. We have heard people say that all old English estates look much the same and that there is little point in stopping at each one. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every place we describe on Get Ready For Adventure has its own unique atmosphere.
Take Tyntesfield, for example—its beautiful orchards and gardens surround a house filled with objects that tell the story of the lives of its former residents. At Lacock Abbey you can explore the history of British photography, from its very beginnings to the present day. At Stourhead, by contrast, there is an artificial lake, waterfalls and landscaped gardens dotted with buildings inspired by Greek architecture, where figures from mythology seem to accompany you at every turn.
And finally, our subject today—Dyrham Park. The house stands on the foundations of an earlier Tudor estate and was rebuilt several times to meet the expectations of William Blathwayt, a great lover of art. The renovation work was overseen by the renowned architect William Talman. As a trusted administrator of Crown lands, William Blathwayt travelled widely, safeguarding British interests in distant parts of the world. He amassed a fortune managing plantations in India and Africa. One day, he told his wife that, to make up for her long periods of loneliness, he would build her a dream house. This was how Dyrham Park came into being.
William filled the many rooms of the house with furniture brought from across the world. Much of it was crafted by master artisans from the Netherlands and Germany, but there are also pieces from China, India, and Africa. The walls are adorned with paintings and decorative elements commissioned by William and executed by the finest craftsmen of the time.
Particularly striking are the wall coverings in the main drawing room and the beautiful library. These are leather panels made in Amsterdam—hand-embossed and painted with intricate patterns, they are fine examples of historic craftsmanship. As we learned from the staff at Dyrham Park, they are among the most difficult features to preserve, requiring constant care and ongoing conservation work. One wing of the house was converted into a large family chapel, which today is an attraction in its own right. In addition to the rooms once used by the family and their guests, visitors can also explore the former kitchens and servants’ quarters, where household equipment used over successive centuries is on display.
As so often, I was struck by how similar tools and devices accompanied people for centuries in almost unchanged form. Only the twentieth century brought truly radical changes in everyday technology. In just a few decades, almost everything was transformed. Could this be evidence of the theory of a “great leap” in technological development?
The history of Dyrham Manor
The history of Dyrham Manor dates back to the beginning of the second millennium. It is even mentioned in the famous Domesday Book, which recorded and catalogued all landholdings in eleventh-century Britain. As was common in those times, the estate passed from hand to hand, often accompanied by bloodshed. Eventually, however, it came into the possession of the aforementioned William Blathwayt, who not only modernised the house but also completely redesigned the vast parks and gardens.
Many rare trees and plants from distant lands were planted around the house, and it was then that wild deer, horses and other animals appeared on the estate. Dyrham remained in the hands of the Blathwayt family until 1956. During the Second World War, the family turned the entire estate into an orphanage and a refuge for children evacuated from London and other major English cities.
Direct care of the children was taken on by Lady Anne Islington, the wife of Lord Islington, to whom we owe the present appearance of the house interiors. Together with other women from nearby villages, Lady Anne devoted herself to caring for children forced to wait out the turmoil of war far from home. Fortunately, military action never reached Dyrham Park, which is why visitors today can admire its beautifully preserved wooden interiors. Pay particular attention to the remarkable ceilings dating from the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The leather wall coverings mentioned above and the Doric columns together create an atmosphere of former splendour and extraordinary wealth.
A beautiful estate and its extensive gardens
The greatest attraction of Dyrham Park, however, is its free-roaming deer and other animals. Entire herds roam across almost 120 hectares of parkland and gardens. Although they are virtually wild, they have grown accustomed to people and often approach visitors who feed them.
The house is surrounded by hills and pathways laid out centuries ago. Today, the slopes are covered mainly with grass and trees, but in the seventeenth century the entire area was planted with flowers and exotic plants. The paths were lined with small waterfalls and sculptures, and the park hosted hunts and entertainments for the family and their many guests. Old chronicles describe a constant hubbub of activity, with the road leading to the house filled with people hurrying in every direction.
Dyrham Park today
A visit to Dyrham Park is a great adventure that begins right at the gate. There is a large car park where you can leave your vehicle and then lose yourself in the vast grounds. For those who prefer a more relaxed option, a shuttle bus runs from the gate to the house and can be used at any time. In spring, the roadside is lined with trees bursting into colourful blossom. In autumn they are trimmed and decorated with large red bows just before Christmas.
Of course, you can also leave the paved road behind. Walking across the “wild” hills, you will encounter animals running freely around you. They should not be chased—this is their home, and we are merely guests.
Along the way you will pass farm buildings that house a small museum of historic horse-drawn vehicles. It is a true paradise for younger visitors. There are old rural tools on display, and everything can be touched. There is also a comfortable picnic area if you feel like taking a break. Before reaching the house, you must descend a steep slope. It is worth stopping for a moment to take in the view—the sight of the estate with the city of Bristol in the distance is truly breathtaking.
Dyrham Park – practical information
Tickets for the estate must be purchased just inside the gate, near the car park. They are not cheap: an adult ticket costs £15, while a child’s ticket is half that amount. A family ticket costs £37. I recommend reading Magda’s article, in which she explains how to visit all National Trust attractions cheaply and without hassle by becoming a member of the organisation.
The walk from the gate to the house takes quite some time. If you are visiting with children or older people, I suggest using the shuttle bus. It runs continuously between the house and the car park and is free of charge. When buying your ticket or showing your membership card, you need to declare your intention to visit the house itself. You will then receive a special pass and be able to spend as much time inside as you wish.
Interesting facts about Dyrham Park
- The house and its surrounding gardens have served as a filming location for many productions. The BBC filmed scenes here for The Remains of the Day, as well as for the film Australia. Scenes for Doctor Who and the series The Crimson Field were also shot on the estate and inside the house.
- A statue of Neptune, carved by the renowned sculptor Claude David, stands within the grounds.
- The highest point in the park rises more than 300 metres above the level of the house itself.
- Numerous open-air theatrical performances are staged in the park.
- In the seventeenth century, the gardens were designed by George London, who had formerly worked on the gardens surrounding a palace in London.
- The church located in one wing of the house does not belong to the National Trust. The diocese demanded a substantial sum for its transfer, which the organisation declined to pay, leaving responsibility for the building with the Church.
- The most recent renovation of the estate—including the roof and parts of the flooring—cost almost £4 million. A significant portion of this sum was raised through donations.
- The National Trust acquired the estate in 1956, when the owners were no longer able to maintain it.
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