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Tangled routes: plants, trade, and time at Tyntesfield

Walk through Tyntesfield's gardens, where the roots of plants and people connect, to discover complex global histories

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event (admission applies)

Tyntesfield is more than just an English garden. William (1790–1875) and Blanche Gibbs (1817–87) filled their home with artworks and furniture from around the world. In the garden, they collected plants with histories spanning continents and cultures. On this walk, created in partnership with students from the University of Bristol, you will unearth global plant stories in four different parts of the garden:

• explore how the Gibbs family made a religious haven in Paradise

• follow the international journeys of the plants in the Dell

• discover a realm of sensory delights in the Formal Gardens

• see plants from warmer climates growing in the Kitchen Gardens.

The walk will end in the Head Gardener’s Office, where you will uncover how a simple invention transformed the global trade in plants.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Meeting point

Scan the QR code in the Welcome Building to begin the walk.

What to bring and wear

Please dress appropriately for the weather. Layers and sturdy shoes are advisable. This is an outdoor installation, so please bring waterproof clothing and/or umbrellas if rain is expected.

Accessibility

The trail contains a small number of steps, however step-free alternative routes are available.

Upcoming events

Event

Fluent in flowers 

Join us this half term for a trail of signs throughout our gardens highlighting different plants that were used to convey messages throughout history and symbolise things like love, hate, victory or despair

Event summary

on
22 May to 3 Jun 2025
at
10:00 to 17:30
+ 12 other dates or times
Event

Bird: a love song 

Head to Tyntesfield’s Rose Garden for an immersive sound installation on the now extinct Kaua’i’ō’ō bird

Event summary

on
22 May to 29 Jun 2025
at
10:30 to 16:00
+ 38 other dates or times
Event

Make a celtic backstool 

On this two day course, learn to make a Celtic backstool (three legged chair) with the Somerset Bodgers.

Event summary

on
24 May to 25 May 2025
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 1 other date or time
Event

Make a small rustic bench in a day 

Learn how to craft a small rustic bench with the Somerset Bodgers in this one day course

Event summary

on
22 Jun 2025
at
10:00 to 16:00