Tyntesfield

I travel up and down the M5 several times a year and always pass the brown signposts for Tyntesfield, but have not taken the time to stop off until today. It's just 10mins drive from J19 southbound at Bristol, so makes an ideal spot to break up a long journey to the South West.

The visitors reception, cafe, shop and toilets are just a few yards from the car park, but the house itself is a longer walk through the estate. What a striking house though! Backlit by the glorious blue sky, the gorgeous colour of the brickwork really stands out. 

By contrast, the interior seems rather dark, although the hallway and staircase is a bright airy space. After wandering though the many rooms in the house, the exit takes you out via the chapel with it's spectaular stained glass windows.

Following the signage and pathway towards the Pavilion Cafe, I discovered this and the lovely walled kitchen garden. There is still a lot of produce being grown at this time of year, including many sizeable pumpkins and squashes interespersed with late annuals like Cosmos and Sunflowers.

I didn't have time to explore the wider estate on this visit, but there is a woodland walk which will probably be full of colour in a couple of weeks. I fully intend to stop here again when I am able, it's certainly a far more scenic spot for a picnic than Taunton Deane Services!