Family / Activities
Tyntesfield Victorian Festival
Tyntesfield is embracing the sights and sounds of 19th century Britain this weekend, as part of its month-long Victorian festival.
Throughout May visitors will be able to meet an Empress, take tea with Oscar Wilde, solve puzzles with Isambard Kingdom Brunel, join the ranks of the thin red line and discover arts and crafts skills. The National Trust property will be bringing together the country’s leading period living history groups, alongside a traditional fairground.
Starting proceedings, Queen Victoria’s soldiers will be standing to attention this bank holiday weekend. There will be guns, cannons, marching and encampments.
The re-enactors will set up their camp at Tyntesfield and perform manoeuvres, giving visitors an insight into life in a Victorian military camp as well as the noisy sights of some recreated battle moments from conflicts of the day, including the Zulu and Crimean wars.
The month-long Victorian Festival forms part of the ‘Changing Times’ experience at Tyntesfield, which is focusing its attention for the first time on Anthony Gibbs, the son of guano magnate William Gibbs.
‘It is always a challenge to bring to life the Victorian world in which Anthony and his children lived. This is the first time we have worked with, and brought together, so many people to showcase the 19th century in a way that we hope everyone who visits will have fun and learn something new about Tyntesfield and the Victorian world,’ explained Hugh Harris, events officer.
The events will culminate in a visit from Her Majesty Queen Victoria at the start of the half term holiday week later in the month. She will be opening the traditional fairground and will be joined by Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself, to marvel at the wonders of Empire. During the half term week there will also be a display of Victorian falconry and a chance to get up close with the birds themselves.
Check out Bristol247’s half term holiday guide for more family activities in and around Bristol – coming soon.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield
Images by Tony Mumford
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