It was once one of the West's most desirable addresses – built by the man who did more than anyone to establish the fledgling nation of America.
But after 300 years of history and 50 years of being owned by the National Trust, people are being given the chance to live in the State Rooms at Dyrham Park permanently.
It has rooms overlooking the gardens, two bedrooms and two receptions, a small study and a utility room and a uniquely grand address – and it could be yours if your tenancy application is accepted.
But the National Trust admits that, although Dyrham Park itself is one of our most prestigious stately homes, the inside of the apartment up for grabs is "not as luxurious as might be expected".
"This is a very rare chance to actually live in one of our grand country houses and with the right furnishings, it would make a very comfortable and liveable home," said Ryan Kuszek, the National Trust's rural surveyor for Dyrham. "It has two large bedrooms and a good sized living areas with galley kitchen and bathroom. We are looking to let it for a maximum of 15 months while we decide our long terms plans.
"The apartment gives views out over the grounds and gardens, a chance to watch the deer grazing in the park and some lovely evening walks just straight outside the front door. With easy access to Bath, Bristol and the M4, this has to be a unique chance to live in a stately home," he added.
Dyrham Park was built at the turn of the 18th century by William Blathwayt, one of King George III's most important advisors. He set up the Ministry of War – the forerunner of today's MoD, and played a vital role in joining together the 13 separate colonies on the east coast of America into the unified nation which eventually won independence later that century.
The Blathwayt family continued living at Dyrham Park until a couple of decades after the Second World War, and five years after the Government bought the house from them, it was sold to the National Trust.
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