Tyntesfield

If it weren't for the National Trust, a charity that owns, protects and preserves not only centuries old buildings but also gardens, woodlands, coastlines, countryside and so on, much of these historic sites would have been lost forever.  We love visiting these various properties and one such place is Tyntesfield in North Somerset, not far from Bristol.

This exceptional house was bought by William Gibbs who transformed the exterior around 1860 into this ornate Gothic style which we see in the picture. 


It is presently covered in scaffolding while years of restoration work is taking place, but visitors can still explore many of the wood panelled rooms, admire the vast library, dining room and a later addition of a billiards room.


He was also a devout churchman and paid for either the reconstruction or building of over 19 chapels, churches or cathedrals in the southwest, including the famous Keble College Chapel in Oxford and his own chapel, finished in just two years, at Tyntesfield.  It has a warm atmosphere, beautiful stained glass windows, detailed mosaics and elaborate stone carvings.

Mr. Gibbs became immensely wealthy through his profitable business of the shipment and selling of guano, otherwise known as bird droppings, a rich, natural fertilizer from Peru.  A little ditty was written about him during that time, which goes something like this,  "Mr. Gibbs made his dibs, by selling turds from little birds!"