Kings Weston Estate near Shirehampton is home to one of the largest collections in the UK of buildings designed by Sir John Vanbrugh. Vanbrugh was a 17th-century architect, dramatist and herald, best known as the designer Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire and Castle Howard in York.
Kings Weston was originally owned by the Crown during its days as a medieval manor before it was granted to the Berkeley family shortly after the Norman Conquest.
Several centuries later, in 1570, Kings Weston was purchased by Sir William Wynter, the son of a Bristol merchant and sea captain, and Vice Admiral of England to Queen Elizabeth.
Wynter built himself a fine new mansion with viewing towers to take advantage of the spectacular location overlooking the river, before selling the mansion and the estate to Robert Southwell in 1679.
The current Kings Weston House was built shortly after between 1712 and 1719 and was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, and was remodelled between 1763 and 1768 by Robert Mylne and again between 1845 and 1850 by Thomas Hopper.
Mr Philip John Miles bought the estate in 1833 for £210,000. During World War I, the house was used as a hospital, and following Philip Napier Miles' death in 1935, it was auctioned and bought by Bristol Municipal Charities and leased to the education authority for use as a school.
It was later used as Bath University School of Architecture, and later as a Police Training Centre for Bristol Constabulary between 1970 and 1995.
The building was abandoned for five years before it was partially restored as a Business and Conference Centre by local businessman John Hardy. The building was bought by Norman Routledge at the end of 2012, who renovated the house and opened it again as a conference and wedding venue, as well as a communal residence.
The Kings Weston Action Group have been in charge of preserving and enhancing the historic landscape around the house since April 2012. The remains of the historic park are made of almost 220 acres split in ownership between Bristol City Council and the National Trust whose 93 acres of Shirehampton Park are leased to Shirehampton Golf Club.
Here are 18 photos from our visit to the Kings Weston estate.
9. Stone-walled garden and lily pond
The stone-walled gardens and lily pond were also designed by Robert Mylene in 1763. The square pond and gardener's lodges of 1763 were surrounded by a series of geometrical brick-walled kitchen gardens. | Adriana Amor
10. The Brew House
The building was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and included a bakehouse. It was separated from the main building to prevent the risk of fires spreading. The Brewhouse now functions as a private house. | Adriana Amor
11. Cafe
Sir John Vanbrugh Coffee House is found on the side of Kings Weston House. The cafe is dog-friendly and serves a selection of hot and cold drinks as well as cakes and pastries. They also sell dog-friendly ice cream. | Adriana Amor
12. Picnic tables
On a sunny day, visitors can enjoy refreshments and picturesque views from a vast selection of tables and chairs and picnic tables. | Adriana Amor