The house was built for Thomas Tyndall KCB, in the 18th century, on the site of bastions which were fought over during the English Civil War and demolished in 1655.

The Baroque, Palladian and Rococo styles of architecture are because of the work of three different architects: James Bridges, Thomas Paty, John Wallis.

It was the strongest part of the defences of Bristol, designed by Dutch military engineer Sir Bernard de Gomme.

[3] An archaeological investigation in 2009 discovered a defence ditch, two bastions and the possible foundations of a defensive wall on the summit of St Michaels' Hill.

Repton produced a design which filled in the unsightly excavations; created an undulating lawn and screened the undesirable - or framed the desirable - views.

It contains a small pond, trees and habitats, to increase the biodiversity, and visitors can also appreciate a mirror maze (called Follow Me) designed by the artist Jeppe Hein.