AHOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

CONTINUING our new series on Britain’s best self-catering holiday rentals, we find a Gothic Revival gem near Bristol…

WHERE: Chaplain’s House at Tyntesfield, near Bristol. Tyntesfield was built from bird droppings – or guano, to be precise, transported from the South Pacific and sold by the Gibbs family as fertiliser at a vast profit. In the 19th Century the family were able to acquire the Regency mansion and turn it into a Gothic extravaganza. Acquired by the National Trust, the house is open to the public – but if you want a glimpse of what life might have been like for the landed gentry, you can rent the Chaplain’s House.

THE PROPERTY: The Gothic Revival Chaplain’s House was built for the family chaplain. It is situated at the edge of Tyntesfield’s formal garden. It sleeps six (or can be booked with Chaplain’s Lodge next door, for 11 people to enjoy). While the accommodation is pleasant, this doesn’t contain the polished wooden floors and marble wet room level of plushness you might expect at similarly priced properties.

WHAT TO SEE: The pleasure of staying here is that you have everything right on your doorstep. The price of your stay includes free admission to Tyntesfield itself. Bristol and the Bristol Channel are also a short distance away.

WHO TO CONTACT: National Trust Holiday Cottages offers more than 400 properties – book online at nationaltrustcottages.co.uk or call 0844 335 1297.

HOW MUCH? A three-night stay in winter costs from £451.

VERDICT: Staying in a National Trust cottage offers the pleasures of enjoying the countryside in a traditional house: toast your toes (and a muffin or two) on a log fire and enjoy rural bliss.