Chastleton House: Jacobean Splendour in the Cotswolds

A National Trust Property with a Difference

Chastleton House is a stunning Jacobean property surrounded by charming gardens, nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds. Built between 1607 and 1612 by Walter Jones, a wool merchant, it remained in the same family until 1991.

Unusually for a National Trust property, its faded grandeur and romantic state of neglect have been preserved. As a result, the house is largely unchanged and gives visitors a glimpse into the life of an English country estate in the 17th century. There’s no stuffy showpieces here – the house looks properly lived in, as if the owners had just popped out and could be back any minute. The furniture and artwork collections span 400 years, carefully accrued over time, with 17th-century tapestries hanging beside 1920s bookcases.

There’s a wonderful air of calm over the place. The surrounding countryside is stunning, too. It’s very easy to imagine you’ve stepped back in time.

The gardens are particularly special. I visited in June and the beds were full of tall, jewel-coloured irises. Away from the more formal, ornamental gardens, you can walk through cow parsley-fringed paths where there are plenty of benches for picnicking. There’s a croquet lawn, too – the rules of the game were codified here by Walter Whitmore-Jones in the 1860s. There’s equipment available to borrow if you fancy a game.

In keeping with its authentic ‘lived-in’ atmosphere, Chastleton House doesn’t have the usual trappings of most National Trust properties. There’s no tea room or gift shop, but the local church serves tea and cake from Wednesday-Saturday, with proceeds going towards the church’s upkeep. It’s a real gem – an ideal place to visit if you fancy a leisurely afternoon finding out a bit of local history.

Notes

• The House isn’t always open – at the time of writing it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and closed November-February. Visit their website ahead of your visit.
• They’re active on Instagram – a good way of seeing what’s on and what’s in flower before you visit.