The historic gardens at Tyntesfield at Wraxall open on Saturday 18 March as the National Trust estate bursts into spring - and simultaneously Lord Wraxall's former home will also be doubling as a film location. The walled kitchen garden, the formal terraces and Paradise (arboretum) will be among the many treats in store for visitors in the National Trust property's first full year of opening for all, with a car park on site. It is also the first year for several new attractions in the gardens and estate including the first self-guided walk around areas of the wider estate and the first opportunity to follow the original path - now re-instated - that the Gibbs family used to take from the main house to the kitchen gardens. Also introduced this season for the first time will be garden ‘interpreters’. A group of volunteers have been trained in order to answer questions from visitors on the history of the gardens. Head gardener, Deborah Evans, said: “We hope this year will be the best yet in the gardens. Snow drops, daffodils and anemones bring colour at the start of spring before the wonderful displays of tulips and then the later bedding and cut flowers of summer.” Lights, camera, action... Filming for a major period drama, Angel, featuring Hollywood stars Sam Neil and Charlotte Rampling, takes place in both the house and gardens in March and early April. It has meant a great deal of work for the National Trust, which has had to clear furniture from many of the ground floor rooms before the crew could set up or filming begin. Amongst other changes, this has enabled the drawing room to be transformed into a bedroom for some scenes. James Needham, house manager, said: “We are very excited about the filming and have been working closely with the producers, Poisson Rouge and Fidélité Films for several months to ensure that there is no risk to the house and contents during filming. “We hope that the exposure worldwide that this filming offers, will allow a greater number of people the opportunity to enjoy Tyntesfield. "As a charity, opportunities such as filming, also bring in essential funding, which supports our conservation work.” History The National Trust acquired Tyntesfield in 2002 for around £25m, following the death of the second Lord Wraxall in July 2001. The 43-bedroom listed building set in 2,000 acres of land, has been described as the "last great Victorian house". Its contents include an extravagant collection of Victorian furniture, paintings and porcelain. The purchase of the property was made possible following a hugely successful public campaign and a grant of approximately £17.5m from the National Memorial Heritage Fund. Donations from organisations and more than 50,000 individuals raised £1.5m in 50 days. Such was the public's enthusiasm for Tyntesfield that the National Trust took the unusual step of opening the house to visitors while work was being carried out, rather than the usual method of closing the property for five years to get the property up to scratch. This has meant visitors have been allowed into the property within months of it being taken over by the National Trust, and have gained a unique glimpse into how restoration is carried out, which it is hoped will continue at the property. To date more than 100,000 visitors have experienced Tyntesfield, mostly on pre-booked tours, but in 2006, in its first full year open to all, the property hopes to welcome around 95,000 visitors. Opening The gardens open on 18 March, 10am – 5.30pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, but there may be some temporary access restrictions in place near to the house during the few first weeks of the season. The shop and catering kiosk, offering a range of light refreshments will also be open. The main house at Tyntesfield re-opens on 9 April. | 
