Christmas Past at Tyntesfield National Trust
During December 2024, a festive trail was created by the National Trust, Super Culture and artists and communities from North Somerset
There was something a little different behind the doors at Tyntesfield.
Communities and artists from across North Somerset came together with the Tyntesfield Team to tell new creative stories that paid homage to the histories of different spaces. Over 250 people of all ages, many of whom have visited the estate for the first time, played a part.
And we experienced what makes different generations sparkle!
Stepping inside …
LIBRARY
Created by Artist Ramona Eve with young people from South Weston Activity Network
Something magical was at work amidst the bookcases as stories and toys came to life! We spun the super-sized wonderland carousel, and watched the shadow play of fictional characters, echoing the performances staged in the library window by the children who lived here long ago.
DINING ROOM
Created by the Tyntesfield House Team
Acelebration of Christmas gatherings from the past – with a twist! We stepped into a reimagined dining room, where the family’s traditional Christmas meal setting was transformed as silverware spills off the table and extended throughout the room. Trees, chandeliers and mantels were adorned with sparkling cutlery decorations bringing the history of the room to life for the festive season.
HALL
Created by Community Growth Manager Helen Wheelock & Artist Zara Emily with residents of Alliance Homes
Over 80 people from Alliance Homes older community decked the hall at Tyntesfield with “Twelve Days of Christmas” merriment. Everyone shared their memories of Christmas past and relished the gift that creative connection bestows upon us whatever the time of year.
DRAWING ROOM
Light installation created by Artist Paula Birtwistle. Soundscape created by Super Culture’s youth and adult drama groups with Jordan Cottle
The drawing room’s centre-piece chandelier has illuminated Christmas gatherings since the Victorian era. Imagine all the dramas that have taken place beneath its gaze! Here, light effects transformed the crystal droplets into mirrorballs of the past and future, rippling with a cascade of community voices that explored festive traditions old and new.
ORATORY
Created by the Tyntesfield House Team
Books were part of the Gibbs family worship, business and pleasure activities. We saw them come to life, taking centre stage in the Oratory!
BILLIARD ROOM
Created by the Tyntesfield House Team
We celebrated Christmas the Victorian gentleman’s way in the Billiard Room. Visitors joined the fun and festive atmosphere, as the leisurely side to the Victorians was showcased. The space was transformed; two pool cue Christmas trees featured amongst a forest of hand-made playing card trees, bringing the room to life as a space for games.
Spirit bottles glowing with soft lights hinted at the rich history of lively social gatherings and revelry!
CHAPEL
Created by the Tyntesfield House Team
Visitors followed in the footsteps of Christmas past, by climbing the spiral stairs and visiting Tyntesfield’s beautiful Chapel, a place of family worship and celebration throughout the years. Inspired by the tradition of decorating the house with flowers from the estate, the installations included homegrown flowers, foliage, and handmade paper decorations as the Chapel sings with colour, light, and the beauty of nature.
GARDEN LOBBY
Created by the Tyntesfield House Team
Crackers! Do you have a favourite Christmas decoration at home? There was the opportunity to look in our cabinet of curiosity to discover the medley of festive decorations that the Gibbs family collected over many Christmases past.
Stepping Outside …
ROSE GARDEN
Created by Artists Bev G Star & Nina Thomas-Bennett with Weston Textile Collective & adults affected by addiction
The Rose Garden has provided a quiet and sheltered retreat at Tyntesfield since Victorian times, a sensory place to rest awhile. Our artists continued this ethos of replenishment, breathing new life into waste materials to make a winter wonderland of snowflakes and chandeliers fit for the Snow Queen herself!
AVIARY
Created by Artists Karen Barry & Lorna Bryce with the community of Growing@GrovePark
Originally a space for exotic birds, this Christmas the Aviary housed a new set of sculptures inspired by the abundance of winter nature on our doorstep. Growing@GrovePark is a community organisation that aims to support the social and emotional health of local residents through green connections. Community sketching sessions at the park in 2024 provided the inspiration for this festive set of sculptures that celebrate the nature that is intrinsic to North Somerset’s Victorian gardens, big and small.
ORANGERY
Created by Artist Ronnie Houselander-Cook with students of Weston College and the Tyntesfield Outdoors team
Art and Fashion students explored the history of the house, gardens and the Gibbs family. Gathering visual inspiration from Tyntesfield’s objects, artefacts, and greenery, the students created a fantastical forest of Christmas trees where Victorian curiosities glinted from the branches. The different emotions that Christmas can hold, from loneliness to joy, also found representation in this liminal space, which is neither outdoors nor indoors, but something magical in between!
The Orangery was also home to a giant cardboard theatre created by Tyntesfield’s Outdoor Team – Victorian children would have created these and acted out their own stories or more traditional plays to entertain the family at Christmas.
Step in the Christmas Brochure, designed by Sarah Dent:
Created by the National Trust, Super Culture, and artists and communities from North Somerset.
