The 650-acre Blaise Castle Estate has been a public pleasure-ground since it was bought by Bristol Council. Paths wind along wooded slopes and beside brooks. The house was built in 1796-98 for John Scandrett Harford, a wealthy Bristol banker. He engaged noted landscape gardener Humphrey Repton to lay out the grounds. Repton’s red book of plans is on view in the house, now a museum of everyday life. Don’t miss fairytale Blaise Castle - built as summer house in 1766.