Christmas Past at Tyntesfield National Trust
A festive trail created by the National Trust, Super Culture and artists and communities from North Somerset
This Christmas you will find something a little different behind the doors at Tyntesfield.
Communities and artists from across North Somerset have come together with the Tyntesfield Team to tell new creative stories that pay homage to the histories of different spaces. Over 250 people of all ages, many of whom have visited the estate for the first time, have played a part.
See what makes different generations sparkle!
Step inside …
LIBRARY
Created by Artist Ramona Eve with young people from South Weston Activity Network
Something magical is at work amidst the bookcases as stories and toys come to life! Spin the super-sized wonderland carousel, and watch 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
Join us for a celebration of Christmas gatherings from the past – with a twist! Step into a reimagined dining room, where the family’s traditional Christmas meal setting is transformed as silverware spills off the table and extends throughout the room. Trees, chandeliers and mantels are 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 have been decking the hall at Tyntesfield with “Twelve Days of Christmas” merriment. Share their memories of Christmas past and relish 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 transform the crystal droplets into mirrorballs of the past and future, rippling with a cascade of community voices that explore festive traditions old and new.
ORATORY
Created by the Tyntesfield House Team
Books were part of the Gibbs family worship, business and pleasure activities. See them come to life and take centre stage in the Oratory!
BILLIARD ROOM
Created by the Tyntesfield House Team
Celebrate Christmas the Victorian gentleman’s way in the Billiard Room. Join the fun and festive atmosphere, as the leisurely side to the Victorians is showcased. The space has been transformed; two pool cue Christmas trees feature 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 hint at the rich history of lively social gatherings and revelry!
CHAPEL
Created by the Tyntesfield House Team
Follow 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 include 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? Look in our cabinet of curiosity to discover the medley of festive decorations that the Gibbs family collected over many Christmases past.
Step 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 have 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 is housing 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 have 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 have been exploring the history of the house, gardens and the Gibbs family. Gathering visual inspiration from Tyntesfield’s objects, artefacts, and greenery, the students have created a fantastical forest of Christmas trees where Victorian curiosities glint from the branches. The different emotions that Christmas can hold, from loneliness to joy, also find representation in this liminal space, which is neither outdoors nor indoors, but something magical in between!
The Orangery will also be a 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.
