WHY was this Victorian Gothic MANSION ABANDONED??? Woodchester Mansion
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 พ.ค. 2024
- Each historic house I visit has its own unique atmosphere and story to share - but Woodchester Mansion in Gloucestershire has to be the most unusual and unexpected I’ve experienced so far …
The house is nestled in a secluded valley in the heart of the Cotswolds. It is managed by Woodchester Mansion Trust, which cares for the building - conserving it for the future.
Join me for a tour of the interior to find out why this Victorian Gothic Mansion was abandoned. And like me, I think you’ll be lost for words …
To find out more about Woodchester Mansion: www.woodchestermansion.org.uk
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Max needs to start a TH-cam channel. He would make alot of money from TH-cam as I'm sure millions would watch the restoration of such a magnificent building
I agree! He has such a wonderful way of telling the story of the Building and it’s history.
Absolutely!
Yes definitely.
I used to go to school near there. The story was that the person that made the gates was hung on them and never paid for his work. It has a reputation for being haunted.
If you believe in spirits and the fantastical, you'd be pressed to believe that the person hung must have a grudge so big, that he might've cursed (or his spirit remains to ensure that,) the castle never gets to be finished
Woodchester mansion truly was a treat! Max is a lucky man living there, especially during the quiet days of COVID..and as always, Julie was an absolute gem taking us around, having us spellbound with her enthusiasm. What a privilege!
Nice touch at approximately 10:40 of the dark bird (?) flying in!
Fascinating history of Woodchester. It is a shame the building is in such shape - but then again, it provides a glimpse into past building techniques.
-- The problem with the government listing places like Woodchester as Grade 1 = UNTOUCHABLE is that it is in effect making the building subject to eventual destruction. Making it too expensive and almost impossible to upgrade or repair is ridiculous. I realize there is a need for preservation but there has to be some balance added to the mix...
I agree. What are they actually preserving? A perpetual building site? I don't see the value in that
The bird that entered through the roof, was kind of spooky.
I had to rewind a couple times! 🤔
@@margzero8840
Me too!!
I would love to be in his shoes. Living and working in that mansion is unbelievable. This is one of the best video that you have done. This home needs help more than most.
The story behind all of these homes is so interesting. Thank you for helping us learn all their history
Please please connect somehow with a university (an American one 🙏) for study abroad at a university near you so that architecture students can come and help with all of the historic houses in the area - or at least the architectural history. I think it would be great for the students and a great income for the homes 🎉
That’s a great idea!
Great idea
Saw this place on Most Haunted Live back in ‘05. Since then it’s been a stand in for Gordonstoun on The Crown. $300,000 raised for a new roof.
I live very near to Woodchester mansion and have been there many times including an all night spooky evening it really is the most amazing place.🌝
I don't think I could live there, to creepy, empty and isolated for me!
If this were in America, it would be full of graffiti. If this were in Italy, it would have been completely stripped of every thing, even the walls!! Just look at what they did to the Colosseo in Rome!!
Great video…you’re so lucky to be able to go see all these places!
Ditto in South Africa, it would have been stripped of everything too
Its not technically abandoned. Yes they didn't complete the building, BUT it is a National Trust property and grounds.
@@idandidnt
Not National Trust, it has it's own Trust and is included with the Historic Houses organisation.
Far better organisation IMO, the NT has lost it's way.
Thanks to William Morris who stopped the destructions and pushed for laws preserving what we get to enjoy now.
What a sweet sweet man!!! He gives me MAJOR kindness vibes. Wow
What a shame this Estate's building was stopped in it"s tracks!🥺
Kind of sort of reminds me of Winchester mansion, when he was talking about the building never really ceasing and how they found tools just left where they dropped them.
What a wonderful reminder of my UK 2011 visit with my Mother to Woodchester. We had a wonderful visit and we were both as fascinated with the property as you were. Thanks for taking us with you as you visit wonderful places around the UK.
That beautiful house. I would live there.
Its in a beautiful area. Just over the road are some amazing views over the Severn,Wales and the Forest of Dean.
thanks for the tour and the info - just incredible!!
Stunning Julie……..and what a charming & informative man Max is. Woodchester is in good hands., thank you for taking us there.
Such unique property, it must provide lots of helpful information to building historians. Thanks for the tour!
Julie, one of our favorite plantation homes located in Natchez, Mississippi, was never completed as construction had only begun when the Civil War broke out. Construction began in 1860. It’s called Longwood.
wow wow wow. So interesting to see the fireplaces are installed but not the floors. what an interesting place...would love to see and visit!
This place was abandoned for ages so the flooring would probably had rotten away.
WOW. What an interesting story and history. Thanks for sharing 😍😘
Julie, This is so interesting! Wow!
You look especially beautiful . I love your pretty flowery blouse.
So fascinating! Another wonderful episode.
Wow. So interesting seeing the bones of these old buildings.
Hi Julie, what a wonderful home, so fascinating, to be able to see the actual marking left by the architects, how the craftsmen created what they were making, the tools, everything. This is such a beautiful home, if they can't sell it because of its grade 1 listing, if I heard Max right it could be donated to a Church??, anyway, if they used the materials, it was originally built with, could they, do it? It's a shame that this home will stand relying on donations to preserve it, but never finish it. Thank you so much for showing us, Woodchester Mansion. Love from N.Y.
If you listen to the video it cannot be sold, passed on, lived in or used for anything other than only being preserved (not renovated) for historical insight. Nature preserve on the property so no construction allowed. Its value IS in its historic ability to demonstrate building techniques of the time and the materials that were used- a beautiful teaching tool for those who are responsible for the preservation of old buildings in the UK. So in this state it is not a waste it is perfect.
I think this qualifies as 'more money than sense'... if I were Dr. Suess and I ran the zoo... I would turn it into an architectural education center with the goal of finishing it. There is a Castle in France that is being built using 15th century methods. Guedelon is the name. I would do that! Very cool ❤
Yes, I've seen a succession of videos of the progress being made at Guedelon. It's fascinating to watch.
It's absolutely amazing. The property is very beautiful. It's also very interesting.
Your channel is an oasis of quietness, culture and curiosity. Thanks from Tuscany 🙂
Once again Julie , an amazing vlog on Woodchester Mansion. Its unique history of a house suspended in time as regards its construction, What a view into the thought process of everyone concerned ,from master craftsmen to architects to owners .Plus the use of resources and wealth. I love the beautiful colour of the Bath atone and that amazing facade of windows rising two to three stories. Thank you ,again
Talk about seeing the bones of a house - Spectacular - What a treat to see :)
Extraordinary is all I can say! Thank you for sharing ❤! Its a shame that work can't be done on it or even made to feel like a home!
Good to see the promotion of the Historic Houses organisation.
Frankly the NT has been taken over by people who seem to despise the history of the buildings they administer and the people who built them. But OMG, they like the money the shops/cafes bring in.
So if you like visiting these type of houses/mansions, join HH. I think the houses joined up are all privately owned and some have special events involving the owners who are very informative.
What a marvelous structure! Too bad that it is not completed. It would make a fantastic retreat.
Omg this is my dog walk. Haha.
Its a beautiful place, wven more spectacular in the dark of winter!
That was so interesting! What a unique place!
Very interesting story associated with an equally interesting building. Thanks Julie.
Missed your live ❤
This tour was priceless! I learned so much about how a building like this was constructed, especially how the weight loads were distributed. And I finally learned the name for put logs, a gap in my knowledge decades long. I've watched countless videos on ancient houses, but this is by far the best I've ever seen. Max is a wealth of knowledge, and Julie, as usual, you do a great interview. Thank you so much!
Fascinating. This story is similar to American copper heiress Hughette Clark, who had multiple extravagant mansions that she never occupied.
I loved reading that book on her. Really interesting. Sad but a cool look inside a way of life that doesn’t exist any longer
@@samanthab1923 That lifestyle does actually still exist. Read about 111 West 57th Street in New York. Many of the apartments are owned by billionaires from all over the world, but none of them have never set foot in the building. They bought the apartments as investments. Similar buildings exist all over the world. Or there is "The one" mansion in Bell Air. The owner of that spent ridiculous amounts of money on it, saying it would be the most expensive house ever build. He estimated the value to be 500 million USD. Eventually he ran out of money, and had to sell it before finishing. The thing is though, not many are interested or even able to buy a half a billion dollar house, so eventually it only sold for 140 million USD in auction.
@@KNYD Thank you. Sounds good. That BelAir house reminds me of the place Bella Hadid’s dad tried to build
Absolutely mind-blowing... how I would love to see the entire place. Stunningly beautiful
How fascinating to see the shell of this grand building showing how the floors would have been added later.
Beautiful!!! beautiful place 🙀👍👍👍
So very cool for this American to see. So lovely! It is neat to see and hear the History behind these Mansion and the people who built and lived in them.
It’s so hard to hear anyone but you Julie. Maybe you can tell everyone else to project a bit. Especially your sweet father-in-law. I love watching your videos on my subway ride home (NYC) but it’s so quiet. Love you and love this channel and Mapperton live! ❤
Wow! Too bad it hasn't already been renovated. Gorgeous place!
Haven't seen yet, but hear the families can't afford taxes.
But this seems very eery.
This Vlog was absolutely fascinating 😮! Thank you, Julie
Simply fascinating tour. Thank you
Eerily beautiful. You look stunning, of course!
I really enjoyed the walk through, it's so amazing that the interior as a even tan tones throughout the castle
Thank you for posting these ...its soo interesting...and all the history.. ❤❤
love how you're honoring the history of the chateau. However, covering the ground with plastic under the tree will deprive the tree of water and eventually, possibly,
( slowly) kill it. Perhaps you are using permeable ground cover. Also planting will be difficult with all the roots of the tree, I'm sure you will look into the best plants for a difficult site.
Absolutely fascinating. We enjoyed watching and learning about history of England.
Amazing place.
Fascinating
Thanks Julie!! This was an interesting castle!
Wonderful guide to a fascinating place! Max is amazing, and so knowledgeable. Thank you so much Julie!
Such a shame.. To let something as magnificent as this structure To sit and rot. Because it's so historically significant.. Waiting for some Grant that may never come through.. So 2 people, With No money can Play house.! I would have wrote the check sitting here. When I heard the history It really hit me emotionally my father Participated in that landing. Thank you so much for a video that touched me.. I love what you do... And God bless..!
How big of a work crew would be needed to build a house that large & how did they get to the really high places? How long did it take to build it? How many acres are there?
Slave labour and very hazardous conditions. All very stunning but it's only for the wealthy.
Love the cat in the rafters .... perfect!
I wanted to see more! You'll have to go back
There is an unfinished plantation house in Natchez, Mississippi (USA) called Longwood. I remember touring it on a field trip across the state. It was being built when the American Civil War went into full swing. The construction stopped abruptly. There are literally still tools lying on work benches, paint cans strewn about....
The family was pretty much ruined during the war and came back to live in the basement after the war. They had planned to resume construction but it never happened so the house still stands as a brick shell today.
Its actually quite a beautiful building, despite being unfinished. Anyways, this house reminded me of it.
Very cool vlog !
On a cold November evening back in 2003, myself, my wife and some former Gothy friends/acquaintances from Bristol did some filming for a HTV Series called 'Magick Eve' (very little on the Internet about it now). The series was about this 'couple' (former actress Emma Jane Portch) who would travel about and find unique and weird things. This particular episode was about the Goth subculture and a group of Goths (about 15 of us) who had somehow managed to get into Woodchester Mansion and were listing to a live Gothic band! (Cauda Pavonis). Outside there was a full moon and there were owls and bats outside and we were there from about 6pm till past midnight. It was a lot of fun, perfect horror and Gothic aesthetics. Most of the filming was done in the Hall (with a nice fire going) as well as the Kitchen and the corridor. We managed to have a walk around the house but I don't believe anyone experienced anything paranormal. This was around the start of the peak of the time that the house was used for paranormal shows like Most Haunted (which I always though was a load of crap). Can't believe its 20 years ago now, other then my wife, we are not in contact with anyone associated with that night but we been back to Woodchester mansion several times since. It was a lot of fun to do something like this in your 20's but doubt we will ever do anything like this again. Happy memories.
Amazing house and very interesting
Awed by this stunning structure. A pity none can renovate it for living or hosting. The house will never be used for it purpose. 🙁
Thank you from Michigan, very interesting
Strangely enough American Julie we have a Winchester mansion in America also. I won the owner of that house died they dropped tools and walked off the job much like this one where it is left in a state of incompletion😮
Very fascinating. So interesting to see something of the construction of an old house of stone. Just wondering, does Chris walk backwards while filming you walking around?
Amazing history
Amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
@@AmericanViscountess your videos are not only informative, they’re fun and that makes all the difference!
Fab! Such a treat...
I find this Mandion fascinating!! There’s a great book about this place!!
Wow ❤ amazing
Very interesting!!
How very fascinating Julie. ❤️🇦🇺🇺🇸🇬🇧
Well that was lovely!
Wonderful 🤗
I do hope they manage to drum up the funds to preserve this fabulous part of our heritage. Great video!:-)
As you say what a treat xxx
It's meant to be haunted,I've just watched a haunted investigation at this manor.
So interesting!
Love the video, great job! My take: Max should start his own channel restoring this mansion. He said he lives there with his partner. Wonder if he's gay, that would be so cool, he would have so many followers.
Wow!! ❤❤❤
Watched several times! Looks like a bear but couldn’t be!
Holy cow!!!😮
WOW!
Wow 😊
Wow wow wow 😮 ❤
Wow, wow, wow
Get Chris a brush for the pigs. They would love it and maybe it would be therapeutic for him too.
That very tall ladder in the dining room reminds me of a book on pre-industrial building technology I found at MIT years ago. It wasn't unusual for workers to do even stone carving on ladders anywhere from 20 to 60 feet high. No staging. Just the ladder.
Makes me dizzy just thinking about that. @20 feet maybe. But @ 60 feet the ladder must have swayed way beyond comfort. The few illustrations provided showed ladders that were the same width from top to bottom. and built more or less like the one in the dining room.
This is like Familia Sagrada :) the unfinished masterpiece in England
It is not in England.
I saw something run across the floor when they were talking about the trees . She goes over to the ladder looks up mentions the tree and across the bottom of tge floor something runs across...
Am I the only one that saw the shadow in the library when they moved to the upper portion showing the roof??
Was it a bird?
I saw that too! I keep replaying it but I'm not sure if it's a bird or something else.
I think you saw a black bird flying? He went by quickly at one point.
I’m pretty sure that was a black bird, a crow or a raven - or a ghost we all witnessed 😳
Was A Codd involved in the Gothic part of the architecture mainlyFredrick Codd
You are giving use wonderful tour of this place. Try to relax and not be so animated. Let the guide speak and just enjoy the wonder of it all. Kind regards.
@American Viscountess- Julie did you notice anything in real time up in the ceiling when he was showing you the"trees"?
I saw that 10.45 racoon or kitty cat scampering.
Very cool Place! If only it could tell it’s story! Julie I saw your mother-in-law this last week on Escape to the country, I was like I know this woman & this house. Lol. Cheers Kirk