Dyrham Park
Dyrham Park
Dyrham Park possesses a quality increasingly rare – it feels frozen at a specific moment in time. This magnificent Baroque mansion, built between 1691 and 1704, remains remarkably unchanged from when William Blathwayt filled it with Dutch masterpieces and baroque furnishings.
The house showcases Dutch influence at its peak. Blathwayt spent years in the Netherlands and returned obsessed with Dutch art and design. The result: leather wall hangings, delftware tulip vases, Dutch paintings, walnut furniture.
The Parkland: The 274-acre deer park is ancient, mentioned in the Domesday Book. Herds of fallow deer still roam. The landscape combines formal terraces with naturalistic parkland designed by Capability Brown. Views are spectacular, the house sits in a dramatic natural amphitheater.
Useful info:
Time needed at destination: 1 hour
Average travel time: Half day
Nathan and Laura's English tip:
Dyrham is less visited than showier properties, making it perfect for guests who appreciate quality over crowds. The deer park offers excellent walking. This combines beautifully with Bath or the Cotswolds for a full day.
