Dyrham Park House in Gloucestershire

Dyrham Park is a late 17th-century mansion, garden and deer park set in 270 acres of ancient gardens and parkland in a beautiful Gloucestershire valley. This grand baroque house was designed for William Blathwyat who was a hard working civil servant during the reign of King William III. He inherited the estate through his marriage to Mary Wynter. Lavish 17th-century collections reflect the fashion for all things Dutch, including paintings, tapestries, furniture and fine 17th-century textiles. Later 18th-century additions include furniture by Gillow and Linnell, and the Victorian staff and domestic quarters provide visitors with an intriguing insight into life below stairs.

Dyrham Park house became a showcase of Dutch paintings and furniture due largely to the interest of William Blathwyat's uncle Thomas Povey. William Blathwayt was also Secretary of State and travelled often to the Netherlands. The house contains a wide collection of delftware (blue and white Dutch pottery and china) and other Dutch decorative arts. The west front of Dyrham Park house, which faces the formal gardens, was commissioned in 1692 from the Huguenot architect, Samuel Hauduroy, and in 1704 the Chatsworth architect William Talman commissioned the east front.

Alongside the house to the west is the charming mid 13th-century church of St. Peter which still contains many medieval features including a Norman font, stained glass and tiles. Dyrham Park and the village of Dyrham are located approximately 8 miles north of Bath. Postcode: SN14 8ER. The tea room serves hot lunches and snacks and the graden kiosk has a lovely outdoor seating area which is perfect for tea, coffee and cakes. The Dyrham shop is ideal for special gifts and souvenirs of your visit and has a wide selection of plants, garden products and gifts to choose from. You are also welcome to picnic anywhere in the park and garden.