Historic mansion opens to public

The neo-Gothic house is a major tourist attraction for North Somerset

One of the country's best examples of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture is to be officially opened to the public shortly.

Tyntesfield House at Wraxall near Bristol was bought by the National Trust three years ago for £30m.

Since then the mansion has undergone restoration and the only time visitors were allowed in was by pre-booking.

Now, on Wednesdays Saturdays and Sundays, from 7 September people can now just turn up, pay and look around.

Ruth Gofton, National Trust Property Manager at Tyntesfield, said: "The new facilities and visitor arrangements allow us to further develop the visitor experience.

"A visit to Tyntesfield will offer visitors everything that they have enjoyed from our guided tours to date, but allow them to explore both the house and gardens at their own pace and with the added comfort of local parking and improved visitor facilities."

The National Trust plans to adapt the estate for up to 150,000 visitors a year.