Pictures of Dyrham Park

a Historic Building in the town of Dyrham, in the county of Gloucestershire

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About Dyrham Park

This engaging house sits serenely in a beautiful wooded Gloucestershire valley, surrounded by an old deer park. It is built of golden, glowing stone, and bears all the hallmarks of a splendid country home of a wealthy landowner. This however, is an illusion, Dyrham Park was built for William Blathwayt, an ambitious civil servant at the Court of James I, who later under William III, became Secretary of State.

When Blathwayt purchased the estate, he intended to pull down the original Tudor mansion and build a new house, but due to financial restrictions he decided to maintain the existing house and add to it. He initially used the services of a little known French architect, and it is Hauduroy who added the long two storey front to the old Tudor house. This, the existing west front joined to the church, has rather a French look about it. When more money became available, William Blathwayt employed the services of noted architect William Talman, and it is Talman who added a splendid East range, then a Stable block, and finally an Orangery. Once complete, Blathwayt had a superb mansion, which mostly reflects the Dutch style. The Dutch influence continues in the beautiful gardens surrounding Dyrham, the artefacts and furnishings are also mostly of Dutch origin.

The interior of the house has not altered much since Blathwayt's time, and most of the furniture, ceramics, and paintings date from this time. The fact that so little was done by his heirs, may have been due to lack of funds because when the house passed to Colonel Blathwayt in 1844, he had to take out a substantial loan in order to effect repairs and restoration. He also bought back cherished paintings and furniture sold off by other family members.

During the following century the house was let to Lady Islington, she did much redecoration during the years 1938 to 1946. Sadly, by 1954 the house had begun to fall into a state of disrepair, and the family gave it up. It is now in the care of the National Trust.

Visitors to the Dyrham Park see some fine rich decoration, particularly in the balcony room, which also contains some of Blathwayt's Delftware vases and his lovely door furniture. Also on show is a series of Victorian domestic rooms, kitchen, larder, bakehouse, tenant's hall and delft-tiled dairy. There are paintings, furniture and fine ceramics.

The house is open from April to October, there is a Gift shop and a restaurant.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Dyrham Park.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Dyrham Park

Beckford's Tower & Museum	(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction S)	Pictures
Bath Botanical Gardens	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Bath Assembly Rooms	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Bath Museum of Costume	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Buildings of Bath Museum	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Jane Austen Centre	(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction S)	Pictures
Oldbury Court Estate, Bristol	(6.7 miles, 10.9 km, direction W)	Pictures
Bath Theatre Royal	(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
Bath Pump Rooms	(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction S)	Pictures
Roman Baths	(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction S)	Pictures

All attractions in Gloucestershire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Dyrham Park

Castle Combe, a Picturesque Village in the county of Wiltshire (6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction E)
As recently as 2001 it was awarded the title of 'Most Picturesque Village' by British Heritage Magazine's 2001 Traveller's Choice Awards.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bath, in the county of Somerset (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction S)
Bath is an elegant city famous for its fascinating history, its beautiful Georgian architecture and its Roman remains.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bristol, a Historic City in the county of Somerset (8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction W)
Bristol Zoo is not this great city's only claim to fame
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wotton under Edge, in the county of Gloucestershire (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction N)
This charming Cotswold village boasts a finely restored 14th-15th century church which retains some good brasses and an old Organ...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bradford-on-Avon, in the county of Wiltshire (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction SE)
Beautiful old town with a rich mixture of mellow Bath stone properties to be seen along ancient winding streets.
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Chippenham, in the county of Wiltshire (11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Reybridge, in the county of Wiltshire (12.0 miles, 19.2 km, direction E)
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Lacock, a Picturesque Village in the county of Wiltshire (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction SE)
Gatherings of graceful medieval houses line the streets of Lacock
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Trowbridge, a Historic Market Town in the county of Wiltshire (13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction SE)
Trowbridge is a historic town crammed with attractive stone buildings. It originated as a settlement along the Biss and flourished from the wool and weaving trades and from these periods there remain many magnificent merchant houses.
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Severn Beach, in the county of Gloucestershire (13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction NW)
From this pleasant spot it is possible to get the most marvellous views of the two impressive bridges spanning the River Severn.
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All towns in Gloucestershire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

M4 Junction 18 (Tormarton Interchange)	(1.7 miles, 2.8 km, direction NE)
Yate Station	(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction NW)
M4 Junction 19	(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction W)
Keynsham Station	(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction SW)
Bristol International Airport	(16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction SW)
Cardiff International Airport	(42.6 miles, 68.5 km, direction W)
Dyrham Park to London	(96.9 miles, 156.0 km, direction E)

Accommodation & Hotels near Dyrham Park

Hotel Name
Hinton Grange Hotel	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
The Park	(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction SW)
Cross Hands Hotel	(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction N)
Lucknam Park Hotel	(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction E)
Bailbrook House	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction S)
Old Mill Hotel & Lodge	(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction S)
Bailbrook Lodge Hotel	(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction S)
Wheatsheaf Inn	(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction NW)
The Manor House Hotel And Golf Club	(6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction E)
The Castle Inn Hotel	(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction E)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts