CIOB Tyntesfield House Visit Tuesday 7th October.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The visit was carried out on a beautiful Indian Summer evening with the setting sun casting shadows across this glorious Gothic Revival.
The tour guide for the evening was the Wessex Area Senior Building Surveyor Tim Cambourne who was assisted by the House Surveyor Kath Cambell Herds. Tim gave the CIOB party the background to the recent acquisition of this property and set out the National Trust vision conservation plan.
The plan was described, as we carried out a tour of the external elevations looking at the various turrets, towers and interesting roof details.In the grounds it was explained the family had their own electrical generator and their own fresh water supply.
However the biggest surprise was on entering the house where we saw the most magnificent carved ceiling details, balustrading, and general high tech features of a very advanced house for its day including gas lights that was superseded by electric.
The whole visit was alive with the variety of questions from the nineteen strong delegation. The conclusion was positive. Members were very grateful for the guided tour and would be sure to visit again.
