Great Chalfield Manor is a moated 15th-century manor house near Melksham, built for Thomas Tropenell and restored in the early 20th century by Robert Fuller, who added the romantic Arts and Crafts garden of terraces, topiary houses, gazebo, lily pond and roses above the spring-fed fishpond. Visitors cross the upper moat past barns, gatehouse and parish church to find oriel windows and a roofline of soldiers, griffins and a monkey. The house remains a family home, lived in by the Floyds as the Trust's tenants, and it is seen by a 45-minute guided tour only; the garden can be visited on its own. Reviewers say the tour is fascinating and worth planning around, and the roses draw most praise. Tips from visitors: there is no cafe, just honesty-box tea, coffee and biscuits, cash only; parking is free on the verge outside the gates, down a narrow lane; and only assistance dogs are admitted.
