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 2nd Nov
Adult admission £11
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
Summer Ticket Offer
Our special Summer Holiday ticket offer allows any 2 adults and up to 4 children to visit the Mansion for £25 on any Open Day between 25th July and 31st August.
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.
Stone Carving Workshops
Our next STONE CARVING WORKSHOP will be held on Saturday 26th July. Read more to reserve your space - we have 3 left.
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
VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT
We need more volunteers for OPEN DAYS this year
Could you help us?
We rely on our team of volunteers run the Mansion on Open Days. We need lovely people to drive the minibus, run the reception desk and shop, and conduct guided tours. We’re a friendly crowd – if you join us not only will you be busy meeting and helping our visitors, you’ll make lots of new friends.
If you’re interested in joining us in 2025 please email info@woodchestermansion.org.uk and we’ll be in touch.
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
On open days our café HENRY’S @ WOODCHESTER is open 9am – 5pm 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.
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 is an hourly minibus service to the Mansion from the Buckholt car park only on the hour 11am – 4pm.
Book Tickets Online
New for 2025! Online booking, just click the button below, or if you prefer to roll up at the door, we’ll have room for you.
DOGS – Good news
This year one of the two seating areas in the café will be open to well behaved dogs on leads. Please could owners keep their dog in this room only. Dogs are not allowed to tour the Grade I listed building.
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→
Private Tours – book for 2025
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 this year.
We have a BOOK and also TALKS on the Mansion are available. More info here→
We’re supported by
Grants
Recently SVTEC (the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club) have supported us with a grant towards improving access to the upper floors of the Mansion for less able visitors.
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)
