Woodchester Mansion Trust

Wow… must see extraordinary unfinished mansion…. For the best, Make sure you go during the open season, when you can go inside this huge amazing gothic revival house. Well worth doing the free 90min guided tour … but don’t worry, you can self guide too. It’s a huge place, which was part built 1850-70 and then deserted for 100 years. You can visit the part-completed upper floors & see unfinished construction methods, great stonework. If you miss the open days, go see the outside anyway. It’s a lovely walk. A real hidden gem. A few things : Car park is National Trust. House is a local trust charity. Park & outside house free all year round. House open Fri-Sun spring to late October - see website. Loos & small coffee shop only open when house open.

Beautiful countryside hideaway. Well worth a visit. Fascinating glimpse into Victorian inherited wealth being blown on a vanity project.

I've been here many times over the years mainly Paranormal Investigations. Main carpark about a mile walk from the mansion and free if you are a member of the National Trust. There is a mini bus down if get there the right time from the carpark. We have historic houses passes so no fee to get in but pay at front desk. Place is on several levels,never finished legend says the builders were spooked and left their tools. Lots of historic information around and bat observatory with live camera to see where they are. Cafe on site which is really good quality and toilets at the back of the mansion outside. You can walk the grounds all the way to the lake and there's a little boat house there. Very much worth a visit

The nature of my visit was a paranormal investigation,which took place after closing time. Even though unfinished,you can see what fantastic stonework there is. Some really interesting history and set in a valley with outstanding scenery.

A fascinating place. It's isolated in a lovely valley away from roads so you can either walk to it or a minibus takes you there in about eight minutes along a track. Three architects were involved in its building, including AW Pugin at the planning stage. It was never finished or occupied so while it looks complete from the outside the inside shows the structure and the building methods used brilliantly. There are some really beautiful rooms including one which was completed for the visit of a 19th century archbishop of Westminster. I particularly liked the bathroom with a very chilly looking stone bath fed by gargoyle taps and an astonishing early shower. It's run by a wonderful trust who have made fantastic strides in restoring it but deserve and need support to do more. I strongly recommend it to any lover of 19th century neo-gothic architecture. It's a gem.

We spent a really nice day here in April. The lakes are beautiful as is the woodland. Lots of birds singing and quite peaceful. We had a very nice outside lunch at the Mansion and the service was very good. The path down to the wood is quite steep, which isn't a problem on the way down, but on the way up we stopped on the strategically positioned bench to get our breath back. Well worth a visit, a beautiful woodland and place to walk - the scale of the map is a bit misleading and distances were further than we thought.

A beautiful wooded valley with grassland and lakes down the middle of the valley. At the top end of the lakes is the site of a large Victorian mansion that construction stopped once the stonework was done so its great to see how these buildings are made with no plaster or wood flooring to cover the stone work up. It's quite a long walk and hilly although there is a bus to the mansion if needed. No phone reception, unless your at the top of the valley sides. Great place to see bluebells at the right time of the year

Absolutely stunning Gothic-style house, beautiful surroundings and with a fascinating history. The architecture and craftsmanship of the building have to been seen to be appreciated. A 1-hour tour is included in the ticket price, and is well worth doing if you wish to understand a little more about the house and its history. Our guide, Fiona, really knew her stuff and and was able explain things in an understandable manner. You are also free to wander round the house as you wish. The toilet facilities are a little limited. The car park is separately owned by the National Trust and the track to it from the road is in a shocking state. It's about a 15min downhill walk from the car park to the house, and somewhat longer on the return (uphill!). A shuttle bus operates in both directions for those who wish to use it. The ticket price of £11 (with a £1 discount for concessions), with all that is included, is good value for money.

Owned by the National Trust, this gem of a Victorian building stands in a 400 acre wooded area with 5 man-made lakes. The building was abandoned in the 1870s, and portions of it are exactly as the day the workman downed tools and left. It's only open a small amount of days every year (usually weekends), so check the website for opening times and days. You can take a tour or wander the rooms at your own pace. There is parking in an upper field and you can get to the mansion by walking or by the minibus supplied (no extra fee to use). The mansion has been reputed to be haunted and was featured in a live Most Haunted a few years ago. Sections of the place are certainly a bit spooky! There is a tea room on site with a small gift shop. Doors open 11:00am Last entry 4:00pm Tea Room open from 11:30am until 4:30pm I recommend this place for a visit-it's fascinating and beautiful!