Welcome to Woodchester Mansion
A unique unfinished Victorian Gothic house hidden in a beautiful Cotswold valley
Mansion now closed for the winter
Re-open Fri 3rd April 2026
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 craftsmanship is outstanding: some stone carvings 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. Both the animal carvings and the bats are fun for kids!
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
Stone Carving Workshops
Our popular STONE CARVING WORKSHOPS with master mason and experienced tutor Paul Maggs will be held in 2026 on Saturdays 18 Apr, 9 May, 20 June, 11 July, 22 Aug, 19 Sept & 17 Oct. Read more to find out about costs and booking.
Woodchester Bat Experiences
BAT EXPERIENCES ARE BACK FOR 2026! The dates are 12th June (almost full), 26th June, 10th July, 24th July, 7th August, 21st August, 4th September. The cost for the evening is £30pp. Join this very special opportunity to observe our rare horseshoe bats close up.
You can also purchase tickets as a gift - remember Christmas is coming!
New Grant!
We're delighted to have been awarded a grant of £154,729 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for securing the future of Woodchester Mansion and its environment. PRESS RELEASE
Café Opening
We're thrilled that HENRY'S BAKEHOUSE CAFÉ from Minchinhampton will be with us in 2026 with their delicious range of quality coffees, teas, cakes and lunches. HENRY'S @ WOODCHESTER will be open 9-5pm Fri, Sat, Sun on Mansion Open Days, including bank holidays. Everyone welcome - come along, bring your dog, sit and eat!
Winter Work!
We recently 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. We have plans for internal improvements this winter too...
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!
Things to see and do at Woodchester Mansion
2026 Summer Season
We regret that the Mansion is now closed until the spring, because public access down the 1 mile un-made-up track is not reliable during the winter.
The 2026 SUMMER SEASON starts on Fri 3rd April (Good Friday). We are then open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and all Bank Holidays, until Sunday 1st November, 11am – 5pm.
…will be here soon. If you’re looking for a present for someone who enjoys visiting the Mansion, why not buy them our BOOK?
Also, if you’re in a local history or social group, we offer TALKS.
Private tours 2026
Plan ahead for next year! We offer private tours for groups of 12 or more visitors, on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday during the open season. You’ll have exclusive access to the Mansion, with tea/coffee & home-made cake and lunch options.
The Mansion by Candlelight
At the end of October we offered visitors the chance to explore the Mansion by candlelight. This gave everyone a new perspective on the wonderful Gothic architecture. For this who couldn’t come, some of the images from these evenings are in the gallery.
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.
Finding Us
As you can see from the picture above, the Mansion (centre) is hidden deep in a beautiful Cotswold valley.
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’s an hourly minibus service to the Mansion from this car park only on the hour 11am – 4pm.
If you’re not a local, please see the How to Find Us page so you have an easy journey. It’s best not to use our postcode in your satnav, as it can take you to the wrong end of the valley where there’s no access.
We’re supported by
Mansion Café
HENRY’S @ WOODCHESTER
Henry’s Bakehouse from Minchinhampton have joined us.
They offer coffees, snacks, brunches, teas and DELICIOUS cakes
OPEN 9am – 5pm on Mansion open days (Fri, Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays)
