Woodchester Mansion

Woodchester Mansion, a Grade I listed building, is owned by Stroud District Council and leased to the Woodchester Mansion Trust.

The aims of this charity combine historic building conservation, education and public access. The Woodchester Mansion Trust aims to repair, but not complete, the mansion, so that it will remain forever an ‘unfinished masterpiece’.

The mansion was built in the French Gothic revival style. It was designed by the famous architect Benjamin Bucknall, for William Leigh, using local Cotswold limestone. The work on the house took many years and in 1870, after 16 years work, the workers walked out leaving many of the 79 rooms unfinished.

The mansion then fell into a state of disrepair and dereliction, with Victorian tools scattered across the site. Today the Mansion Trust is using trainee craftsmen in a lengthy programme of repairs and preservation. Visitors can still see the Victorian tools in addition to half-carved gargoyles, doors leading nowhere and abruptly ending corridors.

The mansion is well worth a visit.

June Summer Party – Fancy dress and summer madness – Date to be confirmed. See website www.woodchestermansion.org.uk for more information or call the office on 01453 861541.

Sunday July 11^th – Burford Chamber Choir are coming back to Woodchester mansion to perform a medley of songs including extracts from “My Fair Lady”.  Tickets £15 each from Stroud Subscription rooms – on sale soon.

Friday 27^th August – An outside performance (weather permitting) by The Festival Players, this year’s mesmerising new production of Shakespeare’s final great play The Tempist.  Tickets £15 each from Stroud Subscription rooms – on sale soon.

Saturday 30^th October – Fancy Dress Halloween Party, for the 6^th year running the mansion is open on the darkest, most scary night of the year to celebrate Halloween !  See our website for more information or call the office on 01453 861541.

The mansion is available to hire for Wedding Receptions, Weddings, Private Parties, Private Tours, Room hire, Paranormal Investigations, Training days and much more.  Please call Hannah Jones on 01453 861541 for information or advice.

The mansion is open on the following days in 2010:

April 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 11th, 18th, 25th
May 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 29th, 30th, 31st
June 5th, 6th, 13th, 20th, 22nd
July 3rd, 4th, 10th,11th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 31st
August 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th, 30th
September 4th, 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
October 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 30th, 31st

For more information about open days, guided tours, courses and events visit www.woodchestermansion.org.uk