Goathurst’s history can be explored through two distinct themes: the landscaped grounds of Mill Wood and the building history of St Edward, King and Martyr. The park’s history centres on a pleasure garden laid out over several decades and the Temple of Harmony. The church, in turn, offers a view of building phases from the Middle Ages through to the 19th century. Together, these themes offer different ways to explore the character of the village.
Mill Wood and the gardens
Mill Wood is a 19-acre pleasure garden laid out between 1745 and 1785 for Sir Charles Kemeys Tynte. This timespan shows that the grounds were developed over an extended period, rather than being the product of a single year. The pleasure grounds included plantings and new buildings. This shows that the grounds are not just a garden, but also a designed place where plants and architecture come together.
This connection is particularly tangible at the Temple of Harmony. The 18th-century garden building stands on the edge of Mill Wood on the Halswell Park estate. Those interested in historic park design will find a concrete link between landscape and architecture here: the temple is part of the garden’s history and also a distinct building with a clearly identified architectural model.
The Temple of Harmony
The Temple of Harmony was completed in 1767 and is modelled on the Temple of FORTUNA VIRILIS in Rome, dating from the 1st century AD. The model and the actual construction date are therefore far apart: the Roman building served as a model, while the Temple of Harmony was built in the 18th century. This distinction helps to place the building accurately in its historical context.
Its later preservation is also part of its building history. The Temple of Harmony is listed as a Grade II* building and was fully restored in 1996 by the Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust. The model, completion and restoration mark three different stages in its history. Together, they tell the story of an ancient model adopted in 18th-century garden architecture and a comprehensive restoration in the 20th century. Halswell House is listed as a Grade I building.
St Edward, King and Martyr
St Edward, King and Martyr adds a church with several historical layers to the story of the park and its buildings. The church dates mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries; further work was carried out in the 19th century, including a restoration in 1884. This dating places the main part of the building in the Middle Ages, while the later work reveals another phase of its building history.
Visitors can use a “Walk Around” guide and a portable panel about notable objects in the church. Both can help visitors follow a route through the church and focus on selected objects. If you are planning a visit, check the latest information about these materials in advance, as visitor information may be updated.
Visiting hours for Halswell House and Park
For 2026, public visits to Halswell House and Park, including Mill Wood, were scheduled for Sunday afternoons during the summer, from 1 pm to 5 pm starting on 4 May. Access for these visits was via the Halswell House drive in the village of Goathurst. These times refer specifically to the 2026 visiting schedule and summer season; check the current schedule before travelling at a later date.
The park’s history and the church offer different focuses for a visit: at Mill Wood, the gardens, the building and its Roman model take centre stage; at St Edward, King and Martyr, visitors can explore medieval and later building phases. When planning, you can decide whether you would prefer to focus on landscaped grounds, architecture or church history.
Discover more destinations: Buckland Dinham, Burrow Bridge, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Catcott, Mark, West Coker, Hatch Beauchamp, Frome
For the main travel overview: Somerset.
