Posts

Posted on

Great Chalfield Manor and Garden #50places2026

After an enjoyable visit to Westwood Manor, it was a relatively short drive to the other property I wanted to visit which was Great Chalfield Manor in Wiltshire.

I arrived just before 3pm and parked on the verge as per the instructions on the website. I booked a house tour, which was at 4pm. 

I thought no worries, they have a refreshment place, I’ll get a tea. However, their refreshments were in a barn, it was cash only and make it yourself. I did have some water. I then headed out for a walk in the grounds and around the moat. At 4pm I headed to the front door for the tour. 

Great Chalfield Manor and Garden

This beautiful medieval manor sits in peaceful countryside. Cross the upper moat, passing barns, gatehouse and delightful parish church to enjoy fine oriel windows and the soldiers, griffins and monkey adorning the rooftops. Romantic gardens offer terraces, topiary houses, gazebo, lily pond, roses and views across the spring-fed fishpond.

Current saving £290.30
One adult £15
Parking n/a
Total saving £15
Cumulative saving £401.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £305.30

We weren’t allowed to take photographs indoors, as it is still used by the family and there were personal items on display. I quite like this kind of house, more of a home, than a museum. Though I do feel sometimes like I am intruding into a personal space.

I saw some lovely rooms. Many of the spaces have been used for filming, notable the BBC’s Wolf Hall.

After enjoying the grounds and the house, I headed back to the car for the journey home. 

Posted on

Westwood Manor #50places2026

Last July I planned to visit Westwood Manor, however when I arrived the car park was full and there was lots of cars parked on the verges. So, after waiting a while I headed home. I planned to attempt to visit again later in the year, but I didn’t manage it.

This time I planned to arrive just before it opened at 2pm. I arrived with ten minutes to spare; I explored the surrounding environs of the village. At 2pm I headed to the house.

Westwood Manor

This beautiful small manor house, built over three centuries, has late Gothic and Jacobean windows, decorative plasterwork and two important keyboard instruments. There is some fine period furniture, seventeenth and eighteenth century tapestries and a modern topiary garden. 

Current saving £277.30
One adult £13
Parking n/a
Total saving £13
Cumulative saving £386.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £290.30

After an introduction I was able to explore the house. Found it somewhat amusing that some visitors had not understood some instructions and went to explore some closed parts of the house beyond the dining room, which are used by the tenant.

It’s not a huge house and much is closed off to visitors. I was impressed with the plasterwork which was over four hundred years old. The rooms are lovely and there is lots other see in each of the rooms.

After enjoying myself exploring the house I headed into the garden.

I did think about getting a cup of tea and a slice of cake (from the village hall), but in the end headed off to see Great Chalfield Manor and Garden which is just a few miles away.