Photo (c) Edmund Ryan 2009

Halswell House

Halswell House is a Grade I listed country house in Goathurst, Somerset, England.

Park Land

Halswell Park was developed between 1745 and 1785 as a setting for Halswell House. The 17-acre (69,000 m2) pleasure garden was created by Sir Charles Kemeys Tynte, and ranks in importance with some of the finest landscape gardens in Europe. In 1740 the grounds covered 30 acres (12 ha) but this had been expanded to 132 acres (53 ha) by 1800. It included tree plantations and avenues with a canal later converted into a lake. The park, which is listed, Grade II, on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England, is on the Heritage at Risk Register.

The grounds contain many fanciful buildings, fish ponds, cascades and bridges, including the Temple of Harmony which stands in Mill Wood. Completed in 1767, it is Grade II listed and has been fully restored.