Welcome to Woodchester Mansion
A unique unfinished Victorian Gothic house hidden in a beautfiul Cotswold valley
Now closed for the winter.
Next Open Day: Weds 1st Jan 2025
(weather permitting)
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 Year’s Day 2025
The Mansion will be open on New Year's Day, Weds 1st Jan 2025 from 11am - 3pm. Minibus available, tours at 11:30am, 2:30pm, hot drinks and a log fire. Adult admission £11. Opening is subject to the weather, please check the website before visiting.
Woodchester Bat Experiences
BACK FOR 2025! We have just released dates for next year's Bat Experiences. Some places are already sold. Join this unique opportunity to join a small group observing our rare horseshoe bats close up.
Stone Carving Workshops
Our popular STONE CARVING WORKSHOPS will be back in 2025. Dates available are Saturdays 26th April, 17th May, 21st June and 26th July. Read more to reserve your space.
Spooky Cellars at the Mansion
Thanks to everyone - staff, volunteers and visitors - this year our HALLOWEEN SPOOKY CELLARS were the best ever. They've now closed, but follow the link for some pictures. Back next year!
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
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 2nd Nov.
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
The MANSION CAFÉ is open 11am – 4:30pm for hot and cold drinks, snacks, light lunches, tea and lovely cake!
Finding Us
As you can see from the picture above, the Mansion (centre) is hidden deep in a beautiful Cotswold valley.
If you’re not a local, please see the How to Find Us page so you have a smooth journey.
There is an hourly minibus service to the Mansion from the NT Buckholt car park only on the hour 11am – 4pm.
Buckholt car park is just off the B4066 Selsley – Uley road close to Coaley Peak.
Lucky Severn Lottery
This local lottery provides a boost to Mansion funds. It can boost your funds too, as one of our supporters found when they won a £250 prize. It’s easy to buy a ticket. Please support us and subscribe – you may be lucky too!
Membership
Our members are wonderful backers of the Woodchester Mansion Trust. 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 worthwhile local charity. We have a current offer, join now and your membership lasts until 1st Jan 2026.
Private Tours
Do you belong to a local organisation? We run private tours of the Mansion for groups of at least 12 people. You’ll be collected from the car park, have your own tour guide and the Mansion to yourself. Tea, coffee and home-made cake are also available. Now’s the time to make arrangements for your visit in 2025.
Volunteers needed!
Volunteering is key to the Mansion. Back in 1987 the building was saved from dereliction thanks to the enthusiasm and voluntary effort of local people. We depend on our group of 50+ volunteers to run the Mansion on public Open Days. Many of our events have volunteers on duty. If you’re interested in joining us in 2025 please email info@woodchestermansion.org.uk and we’ll be in touch.
Mansion Café
We have lovely NEW caterers this year – and they’re good!
Coffees, snacks, light lunches, teas and truly DELICIOUS cakes
Home-made quiches & DRAGON rolls!
Available 10:30am – 4:30pm on Mansion open days
We’re supported by
Grants
We are delighted to have been awarded a grant of £22,500 from the Charles Skey Charitable Trust for improvements to the main entrance. The floor has been levelled-up, an imposing new front door fitted and a ramp which makes wheelchair access much easier and smoother is in place. Internally new customised shop fittings have been installed. We are grateful to the Charles Skey Trust and also the Benefact Group who contributed a further £1000 to the improvements. More details here→