Ashton Court Estate

Introduction

Welcome to the official page for Ashton Court Estate

Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9JN

Ashton Court Estate is unique locally, regionally and nationally. With over 1.6 million visitors annually, it’s the UK’s third busiest country park. Its Grade II* registered landscape, with 850 acres of woodland and grassland, and Grade I listed mansion rank amongst the country's finest.

If you would like a copy of the Ashton Court Estate visitor information leaflet you can download a PDF version .

Download: Ashton Court Estate visitor information leaflet (pdf, 5.2 MB)

Visitor facilities and information

• Baby changing facilities (access via the stables courtyard)
• Free public wi-fi - wireless internet (access available from the stables courtyard and formal gardens)
• Golf public facilities
• Golf kiosk
• Public toilets (located in the Stables Courtyard and the Golf Kiosk)
• Woodland garden, picnic area and natural play area

Admission

• Admission is free, although there is a charge for admission to some events and attractions which take place on the estate. Please remember that access may be restricted on some major event days.

Access

• Ashton Court Estate is situated two miles from Bristol city centre. The main entrances are off the A369 Portishead Road at Kennel Lodge Road, for the mansion and centre of the estate, and at Clifton Lodge for the golf course and top of the estate.
• The Avon Cycle Way runs from Long Ashton through the estate to Clifton Lodge.

Opening hours

• 8am daily throughout the year.

Parking and travel

• Three car parks are available: Mansion car park (access via Kennel Lodge Road), Church Lodge car park (access via Ashton Road situated on the B3128 - by the Dovecote pub) and golf course/miniature railway car park (access via Clifton Lodge situated on the A369 Bristol - Portishead Road). The estate can be very busy at peak weekend times and bank holidays. If the mansion and golf course car parks are full then Church Lodge car park usually has spaces available.
• Car park closing times vary with the season:
  • November, December, and January: 5.15pm
  • February: 6.15pm
  • March and October: 7.15pm
  • April and September: 8.15pm
  • May, June, July and August: 9.15pm

Download: Map of Ashton Court Estate (pdf, 89 KB)

What’s on

Please keep checking the regularly updated Ashton Court Estate events listing to find out what's on.

Visitor attractions

• Deer parks
• Two 18 hole par 3 golf courses
• Miniature railway

Weddings, conferences and function rooms

• Ashton Court Mansion House
• Function rooms

Estate activities

• Ballooning
• Golf
• Disc golf
• Horse riding
• Kite flying
• Mountain biking
• Orienteering
• Parkrun
• Walking

Estate management

Ashton Court Estate has its own management plan that will be used to guide the management of the estate the latest plan covers the period 2009-2019. A management plan is a working document that tells us where we are now, where we want to get to, how will we get there, and how we will know when we have arrived.

Download: Ashton Court Management Plan (pdf, 1.8 MB)

Contact us

Tel: 0117 963 9174
Fax: 0117 953 2143
Email: ashton.court@bristol.gov.uk

History

Download: History of Ashton Court estate (pdf, 10 KB)
Download: Heritage Lottery Fund Works Ashton Court Estate (pdf, 0.7 MB)
Download: Heritage Lottery Fund Executive Summary (pdf, 271 KB)

Special designations/awards

• Green Flag Award and Green Heritage Award winning site (2009, 2010 and 2011)
• International Green Apple Award for conversion of the coach house into a café (2007)
• Site of Special Scientific Interest - a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom.
• Site of Nature Conservation Interest - a designation used in many parts of the United Kingdom to protect areas of importance for wildlife at a county scale.

Ashton Court Mansion House

Address

Ashton Court Mansion House, Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9JN

Tel: 0117 963 3438
Email: ashtoncourt@sodexho-uk.com
Website: www.ashtoncourtmansion.co.uk

Owned by the council since the late 1950s, the mansion house dominates an 850 acre country estate with far reaching views towards the city centre. It offers function rooms, lawns and gardens for corporate or private hire.

The city council operates the mansion house conferencing and banqueting services which include:

• civil marriages
• civil partnerships
• wedding receptions
• conferences
• corporate activity days
• Christmas events
• family fun days
• dinners, balls, parties and much more...

Facilities

• The Music Room will hold up to 200 delegates theatre style, 12 cabaret style, or up to 170 for dinner.
• For smaller meetings, the Panelled Lounges are an ideal space for up to 60 delegates theatre style, or 40 cabaret style.

The mansion is also available for exclusive hire and licensed for up to 750 guests for exhibitions and similar events.

Access and parking

• Situated close to the M4, M5 and M32 motorways, Bristol International Airport, and Bristol Temple Meads railway station, Ashton Court Mansion is perfectly located for every type of event.
• Mansion car park (access via Kennel Lodge Road).

Download: Mansion House location map (pdf, 66 KB)

Function rooms 

Address

Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9JN

Tel: 0117 963 9174
Email: ashton.court@bristol.gov.uk

The Stables Courtyard offers two function rooms:

• The Hayloft
• The Saddlery

These rooms sit on the first floor above the stables and are available for hire seven days a week for a wide range of functions including:

• conferences
• exhibitions
• meetings
• parties
• product launches
• seminars
• team building
• training days and more...

Set up style	Capacity - Hayloft (13m x 6.5m)	Capacity - Saddlery (10m x 6m)
Theatre (seat rows)	80	66
Classroom (individual tables)	46	30
Classroom (groups)	74	42
Seminar (table rows)	46	40
U shape	30	30
Hollow square	32	32
Boardroom (rectangle)	-	18
Buffet/wedding	60	-
Dinner and dance	80	-

Rates of hire

You can hire our rooms in the day or evening, weekdays or weekends. Download: a full list of our prices (pdf, 21 KB)

Exhibition space must be booked and the deposit paid no later than three months prior to the date on which they are to be used.

Catering

Tea and coffee making facilities are available for self-service. Catering to suit your requirements can be arranged upon request.

Equipment	Cost (per day)
Flipchart and pens	£12
Data projector	£20
OHP	£20
Screen	£15
TV and DVD player	£20
Hanging system	£7

Bookings

Download: Booking Form Function Rooms (pdf, 89 KB)

Download: Terms and Conditions (pdf, 82 KB)

Accessibility

• The function rooms are on the first floor and fully accessible by a lift.
• Mansion car park has 16 disabled parking spaces.
• A coach drop off point is located at Kennel Lodge Road entrance.

Access and parking

Extensive free parking in the mansion car park (access via Kennel Lodge Road). The estate can be very busy at peak weekend times and bank holidays. If the mansion car park is full then Church Lodge (access via Ashton Road situated on the B3128 - by the Dovecote pub) car park usually has spaces available.

Visitor centre and gift shop

The Visitor Centre is currently closed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Deer parks

Deer have been kept at Ashton Court Estate since 1392, however during World War II the deer vanished.

As part of the World Wide Fund for Nature Year in 1970, deer were re-introduced to Ashton Court Estate and since then have gone from strength to strength. Ashton Court Estate now manages two enclosed deer parks helping to maintain red and fallow deer herds. You may also spot wild roe deer who are resident on the estate.

Miniature railway

The miniature railway has been at Ashton Court Estate since 1973, when it was relocated from Canford Park in Westbury-on-Trym. There are train rides for all the family on two tracks, one raised and one ground level, each 1/3 of a mile long.

A recent addition includes the centenary tunnel to mark the 100th anniversary of the Bristol Society of Model and Experimental Engineers (BSMEE) who operate the railway site at Ashton Court Estate.

The miniature railway is a joint project between Bristol City Council and BSMEE.

Opening times

We are open to the public on 22 days each year, normally from March to October from 12noon to 5.15pm, weather permitting. For running dates please visit the Ashton Court Estate Events Listing.

We advise contacting BSMEE on 0117 946 7110 to check running dates before turning up.

Ticket prices

• 60p for one circuit of the track
• 10 tickets for £5.

Access

• Entrance is via the Clifton Lodge Gate (for Sat Nav users the post code for the Lodge is BS8 3PX). The gate is on the A369 Portishead to Bristol road. Please note that you cannot turn right from the A369 into the estate.

Further information

For further information about the miniature railway visit the BSMEE website.

Ballooning

Ballooning in Bristol has a rich and exciting history. Ashton Court Estate is a popular private and commercial launch site and has hosted the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta since 1979. Formed in 1919, the Fiesta has grown to become one of the top five outdoor events in the UK and and the largest balloon fiesta in Europe. For more information and a license to use the estate please contact us on 0117 963 9174.

Bristol and Ballooning

Bristol Junior Chamber has commissioned "Bristol and Ballooning", a commemorative book to celebrate the unique marriage bewteen a city and its balloons. Visit www.bristolandballooning.co.uk to find out more.

Horse riding

There is a permissive trail of 1.6 miles within the estate.

The Bridle Path runs along the western side of the estate. Starting from close to Church Lodge it runs through Church Wood, passing Coombe Lodge and into Clarken Coombe. Follow the white posts with horse shoe symbols.

Riding is also permitted on or adjacent to the estate drives, which are multi-use routes.

Please observe our horse riders code of conduct below:

Download: Horse riders code of conduct (pdf, 70 KB)

The horse riding trail is maintained with the support of local riding groups and volunteer work parties.

For more information please contact us on 0117 963 9174.

Access and parking

• Please park at Church Lodge car park only, where the horse riding trail starts. Please do not use any other car park.
• Church Lodge car park (access via Ashton Road situated on the B3128 - by the Dovecote pub) is the only car park for horse boxes and is close to the start of the bridle path.

Mountain biking

Our new cycle trail provides consistent riding conditions on a way marked trail and is suitable for all abilities, including families. A new pavilion at the golf course, close to the trails, will include cycle hire and a café.

The new Nova Cycle Trail has been developed in partnership with the 1 South West off road cycling project. 1 South West is creating an off-road cycling region for people to enjoy adventurous off-road cycling and progress their riding with confidence and provides the information to help you plan and enjoy great adventures time and again. Find out more at www.1sw.org.uk. We also host a range of competition and charity biking events. Please see our event listing for more information.

Ashton Court Estate and Forestry Commission are working closely with local mountain bike clubs to maintain the Cycle Trail. If you are a keen cyclist please help us by joining the Bristol Trails Group who help maintain and improve local trails. All signs and trail markers used on the trail are made from local timber extracted from managed woodlands whilst path surface materials are sourced from the estate itself.
For information on other off road cycling routes in the region, please visit www.betterbybike.info/off-road-cycling

Download: Map of cycle trails at Ashton Court Estate (pdf, 243 KB)

Access and parking

• Whilst the golf car park is closest it does get busy and we encourage riders to use Church Lodge (access via Ashton Road situated on the B3128 - by the Dovecote pub) and ride up through the estate to the trail to create more space for other visitors and golfers.

Orienteering

Orienteering is a sport centred on map reading in a natural terrain. The aim is to locate a series of control points marked by posts using a map and compass to navigate through the estate. It’s for all ages and degrees of fitness and skill, you can run, jog or walk, you decide your pace. It’s an easy way of staying fit or getting into shape.

Ashton Court Estate is an important and popular destination for this growing activity. We have two permanent orienteering courses created by the Bristol Orienteering Klub (see BOK website) with concrete marker posts. The new junior orienteering course is particularly suitable for children and school groups.

The course starts at the golf course, comprising 23 controls on concrete posts, each with a number corresponding to the map and letter. The beginner's course is 2km, the medium course is 3.7km and the full course is 7.6km. The course is not suitable for people with mobility issues.

The course has been created and is managed by the Bristol Orienteering Klub.

Getting started

If you wish to try orienteering, as a group, or a family or just by yourself then pick up your pre-marked map from the golf course kiosk at a cost of £1.50 or download below. There is further information on how to start your orienteering course with suggested courses of varying difficulty on the back of the map.

Download: Ashton Court Estate orienteering map (pdf, 0.8 MB)

Equipment

All that is needed is trainers or boots and comfortable outdoor clothes appropriate to the season. As orienteering takes place come rain or shine, a change of shoes and clothes would be useful. A compass is only needed as experience is gained.

Bristol Orienteering Klub (BOK)

BOK is one of the largest and most active clubs in the UK with over 500 members. BOK runs regular events and was awarded the title of  'Club Mark' by the British Orienteering Federation (external website) for its programme of development and child safety supporting Avon Schools Orienteers (external website).

More details about the club and future events can be found on the BOK website.

Parkrun

Parkrun takes place every Saturday at Ashton Court Estate starting at 9am.

Parkrun organises free, weekly, 5km (just over three miles) timed runs around the country. They are open to everyone and are safe and easy to take part in.

Athletes of all abilities are welcome - everyone from beginners through to Olympians, and from juniors through to pensioners. You can never be too slow, but you can also never be too quick.

Each time trial provides the same course every week, and encourages a friendly level of competition. Parkrun offer you, the athletes, the opportunity to track your progress over weeks, months, seasons and years.

How much does it cost?

It's totally free but please register in advance to avoid disappointment.

How do I register?

You will need to register before 6pm on the Friday before you wish to run.

Visit the Parkrun website for more information.

Walking

There is a good network or formal tracks, drives and paths for all walkers.

The drives around the mansion are easily accessible whilst the steeper woodland paths offer more challenge and the best views. There are several marked trails through both the fallow and red deer parks and we ask that dogs are kept on leads in these areas.

At present most walkers explore the estate or pass through using local footpaths, bus services and near by pubs, such as The Dovecote (external website).

Orientation mapping has been installed at all three estate car parks.  In 2012 we will be publishing a range of promoted trails which will include trails connecting to local buses, pubs, shops and footpath networks and producing a leaflet to help visitors explore more widely.

Our annual guided walk and talks programme is a great way to meet others and learn more about the estate. We also play host to a wide range of charity walking and running events. Please see our event listing for more information.

Wildlife and conservation

The estate contains a rich mix of plants, wildlife and a wealth of rich habitats including woodland, ponds, semi-improved and unimproved neutral calcareous grassland. The ancient oak trees set in parkland and the western woodlands are particularly impressive and support over 400 other species. Some of these trees are nearly 1,000 years old and were originally pollarded for their timber.

Deer were introduced to the estate in 1392 and today we have both a Fallow and Red deer parks and feral Roe Deer roam in large numbers. The deer have browsed the emerging woodland around the ancient oaks for centuries and this relationship has created a stable habitat for nationally important insect and invertebrate communities to develop.

The park also supports significant communities including badgers, green woodpeckers, breeding owls, buzzards and kestrels in the mature trees with dragonflies and greater crested newts in the ponds and skylarks on the plateau grasslands. The recently restored Clarkencombe Lodge also supports a nationally significant breeding bat population.

Much of the estate is so ecologically valuable that most of it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and at County level is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest.  The special interest of Ashton Court Estate and SSSI is managed in co-ordination with Natural England who support the estates environmentally beneficial management practises with funding from the Environmental Stewardship Scheme, as part of the Rural Development Programme for England.

To find out more about wildlife in Bristol, see Wildlife. The estate is regularly used for scientific studies and in 2009 a BioBlitz event discovered 569 different species in just 30 hours of non stop field work, including: great crested newts in the Estate's ponds; 79 moth species and eight species of bat found during dusk surveys; three types of orchid, and 55 species that had not been recorded in the Avon area before.

Download: BioBlitz results (pdf, 85 KB)

Holding an event at Ashton Court

As well as securing a Site Licence from Bristol City Council (as land owner) event organisers also need to consult with North Somerset Council (as the responsible authority) for activity on the site. In some cases this may involve seeking a premises licence or a Temporary Event Notice from North Somerset. The Event Site Licensing Team can help event organisers with this process.

A map showing the Local Authority boundaries in Ashton Court (pdf, 1.3 MB) is available to download. 

If you would like to contact North Somerset Council to discuss aspects of your event, seek a Premises licence or a T.E.N or discuss Health and Safety they can be contacted via the North Somerset Council website.

Disabled access information

Car parking

• Ten disabled parking bays in the mansion car park (access via Kennel Lodge Road)
• One disabled parking bay in the golf course/miniature railway car park (access via Clifton Lodge situated on the A369 Bristol - Portishead Road)
• Ten disabled parking bays in the Church Lodge car park (access via Ashton Road situated on the B3128 - by the Dovecote pub).

Facilities

• Two disabled toilets open during daylight hours daily, located in the Stables Courtyard
• Baby changing facilities can be accessed from the stables courtyard
• Tramper mobility buggy hire available Monday to Friday 10am -3pm, pre-booking is essential. Hire Fee £2.50 per hour, (please note all users must be a member of Countryside Mobility South West (external website); Annual membership £10, Temporary Membership £2.50) For more details and to book contact Estate Office.

Function rooms

• Fully accessible lift.

General

• An outdoor attraction with difficult terrain and topography and may present difficulties to visitors who use wheelchairs, those with restricted mobility or who are visually impaired.
• The stables courtyard is an historic surface. It's level but has a cobbled surface that may be uncomfortable for some visitors.
• No wheelchair access to the formal gardens.

Café

• Flat, but uneven surface
• Guide dogs and assistance dogs welcome.

Please call 0117 963 9174 if you have any queries about accessing Ashton Court Estate.