Welcome to Woodchester Mansion
A unique unfinished Victorian Gothic house hidden in a beautiful Cotswold valley
OPEN
every Friday, Saturday & Sunday
and Bank Holiday Mondays
11am -5pm
until Sunday 26th Oct
Adult admission £11
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For all enquiries, please email: info@woodchestermansion.org.uk
The house like no other…
Woodchester Mansion is a unique and amazing Grade I listed Victorian Gothic house hidden in a beautiful Cotswold valley.
It is an unfinished masterpiece. Building started about 1857, but stopped in the mid-1860s so floors and ceilings are missing, walls not plastered and windows unglazed. All the secrets of the construction of the Mansion are visible – something visitors will never see in another country house.
The Mansion was designed by a young local architect, Benjamin Bucknall from Rodborough. He produced a unique Gothic Revival house which blends the local traditional work in limestone with the ideas of the French architectural thinker Viollet-le-Duc.
If you are interested in the Mansion and its history we have a book.
The quality of the stone carvings in the Mansion is outstanding: some are inspired by the plants in the surrounding valley and others are life-like images of animals. There are also real mammals to be seen as the Mansion houses breeding colonies of Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats.
Owned by Stroud District Council, the Mansion is managed by the Woodchester Mansion Trust (it is NOT a National Trust property). On Open Days visitors can see how the house was built, admire the fine carvings and look at the bats on CCTV. Refreshments are available, we have a gift shop and the surrounding Woodchester Park (National Trust) can be explored. It is also possible to arrange private tours and hire of the Mansion.
Latest News & Events
New Grant!
We're delighted to have been awarded a grant of £154,729 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for securing the future of Woodchester Mansion and its environment. PRESS RELEASE
Explore the Mansion by Candlelight
Come and explore the MANSION by CANDLELIGHT this autumn. Experience the stunning architecture and soak up the atmosphere. OPEN 27th, 28th, 29th Oct 5pm- 7pm
HENRY'S will be open for hot drinks, cookies, cakes, and cold drinks too.
Tales for Halloween
Twisted Tales and Haunted Magic for the spookiest time of the year, with award-winning mystery entertainer Nick Brunger. Performances on Thurs 30th and Fri 31st Oct at 7:30pm at the Mansion. Tickets £16. This is a spooky scary event for adults over 18 only.
HENRY'S will be open before the performances and during the interval for hot drinks, cookies & cakes, alcohol and soft drinks.
Stone Carving Workshops
Our last STONE CARVING WORKSHOP for 2025 will be held on Saturday 11th Oct. We have spaces available - read more to reserve one.
Café Opening
We're thrilled to welcome HENRY'S BAKEHOUSE CAFÉ from Minchinhampton to the Mansion in 2025. HENRY'S @ WOODCHESTER will be open 9-5pm Fri, Sat, Sun on Mansion Open Days, including bank holidays. Everyone welcome - come and try the coffee, delicious cakes and brunches.
Slow Travel Award
We're delighted to announce that Woodchester Mansion has been awarded a Cotswold Slow Travel Award for heritage attractions/experiences. Come and visit to appreciate the wonderful building and the special qualities that led to the award!
Winter Work!
Last year we received a grant from the Charles Skey Charitable Trust for improvements to the front door and entrance hall, including the provision of a more level access for disabled visitors. The work was done during the winter closed season and is now complete...
Things to see and do at Woodchester Mansion
Halloween at the Mansion 2025
We very much regret that the HALLOWEEN SPOOKY CELLARS are CANCELLED for 2025. We’re really disappointed about this, but unfortunately we have on-site work commitments planned for November and December that take priority and need our small staff.
We promise that the Spooky Cellars will be back BIGGER & BETTER in 2026! Until then, our sad skeletons have to stay in their cupboard.
We do have some events planned for the autumn half-term week:
Explore the Mansion by Candlelight click here→
Wicked Tales for Halloween click here→
Book Tickets Online
Explore the Mansion by Candlelight on 27th, 28th, 29th Oct 5pm – 7pm
Wicked Tales for Halloween with Nick Brunger 30th & 31st Oct 7:30pm
You can book online for both events, as well as our normal open days, just click the button below. If you prefer to roll up at the door, we’ll have room for you.
2025 Summer Season
The Mansion will be OPEN to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday (and Bank Holiday Mondays) from Fri 4th April to Sun 26th Oct.
Last two weekends this year – 17th -19th Oct, 24th – 26th Oct
The house opens at 11am, last admission 4pm, closes at 5pm. Guided tours at 11:45am and 2:30pm – or self – guided.
Adult admission £11, children 5-16 £2 – See Admission Prices
On open days our café HENRY’S @ WOODCHESTER is open 9am – 5pm for hot and cold drinks, snacks, light lunches, tea and lovely cake!
It’s a bit early….
But are you looking for a Christmas present for someone who enjoys visiting the Mansion? We have a BOOK!
If you’re in a local history or social group, we also offer TALKS.
Membership
Our members are wonderful backers of the Woodchester Mansion Trust. By supporting the Mansion today, you’re helping to ensure that future generations can enjoy and learn from it. If you become a member you will gain free admission to the Mansion on Open Days, access to exclusive events, a regular newsletter and a discount on shop goods. Plus the feel-good factor of supporting a hard-working and worthwhile local charity.
You can also help us by buying tickets for the Lucky Severn Lottery – click here→
Finding Us
As you can see from the picture above, the Mansion (centre) is hidden deep in a beautiful Cotswold valley.
Please use the NT Buckholt car park at Woodchester Park, just off the B4066 Selsley – Uley road close to Coaley Peak (though the Mansion is NOT an NT property). There’s an hourly minibus service to the Mansion from this car park only on the hour 11am – 4pm.
If you’re not a local, please see the How to Find Us page so you have an easy journey. It’s best not to use our postcode in your satnav, as it can take you to the wrong end of the valley where there’s no access.
We’re supported by
Mansion Café
HENRY’S @ WOODCHESTER
Henry’s Bakehouse from Minchinhampton have joined us this year.
They offer coffees, snacks, brunches, teas and DELICIOUS cakes
OPEN 9am – 5pm on Mansion open days (Fri, Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays)
