Woodchester Mansion, Gothic Revival manor in Woodchester, England
Woodchester Mansion is an unfinished Gothic Revival country house built from limestone in Woodchester, England. The rooms show exposed scaffolding, missing floors, and unplastered walls across several stories.
Construction started in 1857 under architect Benjamin Bucknall for the Leigh family. Work stopped abruptly in 1870 when the patrons ran out of money and the site was abandoned.
The estate takes its name from the wooded valley where Roman remains still lie beneath the grounds. Visitors today see toolmarks and mason's signatures on bare walls, showing how craftsmen worked in the 19th century.
The house opens for guided tours at certain times during the year, covering all accessible areas. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear as some areas have uneven surfaces and open staircases.
The building shelters over 200 greater horseshoe bats, which visitors can watch through cameras installed in the attic. This colony is among the largest of its kind in Britain.
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