The people’s project: Tyntesfield’s first year

“The National Trust has worked so many miracles in so short a time to enable so many visitors to enjoy this place.” – visitor comment.

The National Trust bought Tyntesfield in August 2002 to save a unique nineteenth century country estate and to inspire and provide life-enhancing learning opportunities for all kinds of people.

This year 28,000 visitors, plus groups of students and young adults, and an army of 150 volunteers, have benefited from its extraordinary environment. The Trust has proved that conservation fits hand-in-hand with access, and that major country houses can still play an important role in the life of local communities.

“We decided to open the property to the public almost straight away, so they could become part of this amazing estate. With conventional restoration, we could close the house and complete the capital works. But instead we want to use the restoration as an opportunity to create opportunities and nurture skills for as many people as possible.”

Visitors can see the estate is an active environment with passionate, energetic people working on restoration. They enjoy seeing the conservation cleaners in action and learning about their specialist tools. Many local visitors are so fascinated that they become volunteers.

John McVerry, Project Director, said:

“Tyntesfield’s purpose is to bring alive the process of conservation through learning, teaching and mentoring. We want everyone to feel involved, whether for personal development, a sense of pride, a feeling of security, to become part of history, or just to have fun.”

This was a pilot year for the estate and community activities have included: the five-day Young Roots project, which was carried out with the Amber Foundation and the Prince’s Trust; local children on work experience; and disillusioned youngsters, troubled adults, graduates and undergraduates all working with Trust staff and other experts to help return Tyntesfield to its former glory.

Fiona Reynolds said:

“We know that when people are directly involved in caring for their heritage, they take far more pride in their local area, and that has huge social and economic benefits.A high quality environment attracts investment, generates jobs, revitalises communities and improves the quality of people's lives”.

Next month the Trust submits an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). We hope with their help to give Tyntesfield and the people who care for it, the future they deserve. We will continue to work hard in partnership with many organisations, such as English Heritage, HLF, Sustrans, West of England Learning and Skills Council and Young Bristol, to achieve our goals.

Read what they say about Tyntesfield