In June 2002, donors and the Heritage Memorial Fund helped us to purchase Tyntesfield – one of the finest surviving Victorian estates in the country.
Without that vital support, this magnificent property would have been broken up and sold to property developers. Instead, Tyntesfield now belongs to us all.
But before we can fully open the house and grounds for everyone to explore and enjoy, we have a great deal of work to do. An extensive survey has shown that years of neglect have done a great deal of damage. Many of the most important structures are in a serious state of disrepair.
Refill the orangery with perfume
It’s hard to imagine how beautiful Tyntesfield’s orangery must have been in its heyday. The glorious spring blossom, the air full of citrus scent – it would have brought so many people pleasure. But all that was many years ago. Today, the walls are falling down and the trees are gone. Yet all the original features remain – giving us a precious opportunity to revive this wonderful building and fill it once more with sweet perfume.
Secure a treasure trove of knowledge
Tyntesfield’s library contains one of the largest collections of Victorian books in the country. It has survived over 150 years of continuous use, but is now in serious need of attention. Rainwater is seeping through the roof in several areas – threatening to destroy this precious inheritance before it has even been fully catalogued. We need your help to secure the future of this unique collection.
Uncover a secret garden
Tyntesfield’s gardens were once an amazing sight – a glorious display of formal lawns, exotic trees and flower-filled greenhouses. Sadly, much of its beauty has been lost. The first thing we need to do is repair the boiler for the glasshouses so we can start growing the thousands of plants needed to return the gardens to their former glory. It will take many months of painstaking, expert work – and we’ll only succeed with your help.
Help us discover a unique period of our past
Buying Tyntesfield has given us an amazing opportunity to learn more about pioneering Victorian families like the Gibbs. The family showed entrepreneurial flair, making their fortune from guano, a kind of fertiliser. Our plan is to gather the memories of local people who worked at the house and piece together the fascinating history of the house and estate.
Enable everyone to enjoy this magical place
As well as helping to meet the cost of carrying out vital conservation and repair work, your gift will also go towards new facilities. At the moment, there aren’t even public toilets at Tyntesfield. But with your help, we’ll ensure that the house and grounds are fully equipped with everything you could want to make your visit truly magical.
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