This was the tenth National Trust property that we have visited in the last six months (further justifying the cost of our membership), and this one was just stunning!

Henbury is a district of Bristol, located about 5 miles north-west of the city centre out towards the Severn Estuary. It is the location of Blaise Castle. The castle, which dates back to the mid-18th century, and the 19th century mansion house, sit together in the extensive landscaped grounds of the Blaise Castle Estate (now owned by the Bristol City Council). On another day, maybe next summer, we do intend visit the castle and the house, but today it was all closed down for the winter. The mansion house encompasses a (mostly) art and costume museum.

We had not visited specifically to see the Blaise Castle Estate, but to visit Blaise Hamlet. The hamlet is a 19th century retirement development: having been built at the time that Napoleon had already suffered defeat at Waterloo, then escaped exile, and proceeded to regain the French Crown. In 1809 (three years before Trafalgar), when these 9 cottages were being built, Napoleon was defeating the Austrians to take Vienna.

Tha hamlet comprises of nine cottages encircling a central green (one cottage is a ‘double cottage’ with two residences). The cottages were built, by the Quaker, banker, and philanthropist John Sandrell Harford (who owned Blaise Castle and mansion) to provide accommodation to his retiring employees. These very picturesque cottages, designed by John Nash, are extremely well preserved, and are simply stunning in this setting. This almost secret hamlet is so at-odds with the newer local developments, but being surrounded by woodland and walls, it is so peaceful, and all-but invisible to the passing traffic.

The entrance is best approached on foot, and I strongly recommended you park in the village carpark, to avoid taking spaces that residents need to use. As you walk along the B4057 there is a turning into Castle Close, further down the hill there is a gate into the hamlet grounds with National Trust signage to confirm. Step-through, and you are turning back the clock by over 200 years.

You cannot enter any of the, mostly occupied, cottages; but you can walk around and look at them. Well worth the visit for us, as this is ‘living history’.