| Ashton Court Estate |
Mansion | Woodland | Deer | Fiesta & Festival |
Activities | Visitor Centre |
Photo: Red Deer Park in Ashton Court |
Ashton Court Estate
Ashton Court Estate, Bristol UKJust 2 miles from the centre of Bristol, Ashton Court Estate remains almost entirely surrounded by Somerset countryside. Owned by Bristol Council since 1959, the estate is now a major recreational area for Bristol. The current estate is about 850 acres of woodland and meadows with free entry and free parking (except during some of the large events). This web site is about Ashton Court Estate as it is today. A mixture of ancient woodland its natural wildlife and many more modern activities. I favour the woodland walks, deer parks and other wildlife over the cycling, miniature railway, golf and other activities but enjoy the big events like the Kite Festival and the Balloon Fiesta. But whatever your preference Ashton Court Estate is well worth a visit. If you would like to see a 'quick' view of the estate, see the photo summary of each pages leading photo. There are 17 large photos which could take a while for dial-up users. I will just note that while I am a frequent visitor to the estate myself, I have no involvement in the estates business, see the contact information page for the official websites. Peter Frost, Bristol.
Mansions and GardensAshton Courts Mansion hosts many functions including corporate activity days, receptions, weddings, dinners, balls and banquets. The gardens are open to the public and include a ha-ha with a view looking down over smyth field, the renewed in 2006 rose garden and of course the towering Giant Sequoia's and their squirrels.
More on the Mansion
Visitor CentreClose to the mansion car park, around the old stables courtyard are the recently refurbished visitor centre facilities: cafe, bistro, courtyard farm shop and picnic area by the Giant Sequoias. More on the Visitor Centre
EventsThe big summer event is the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, drawing over 150,000 visitors on its peak days.
But there are other events like Kite Festival in late summer at the top of the estate, still popular but no where near the numbers of the Balloon Fiesta. For dates and links to event web sites, see the Events in Ashton Court on the right hand side of most pages. More on the Balloon Fiesta & Kite Festival
ActivitiesThere are a lot of ongoing activities too: - Cycling and Mountain Biking, Golf Pitch and Put, Balloon Launches, Horse Riding, Miniature Railway and Deer Feeding Walks. Many charity events too. More on the Activities
Estate Opening/Closing TimesOpening time: 8.00am Closing times:
Disclaimer: While I believe that the opening and closing times above are accurate, I cannot however offer any guarantee that the estates gates will be opened or closed at these times. |
Woodland and MeadowsIts not all the hustle and bustle that the events and activities pages suggest. There are many much quieter places on the estate.
More on the Woodland and Meadows
DeerWith deer enclosures for both Fallow and Red Deer its sometimes possible to get quite close to the deer.
More on Red Deer and Fallow Deer
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Have your own web site for your pages on the web? For a typical site, design costs are: £160 for a 12 page web site, £80 for a 4 page micro site or £35 for a single page website. Optional hosting at £20 per year includes your own unique domain (site) name, domain registration, email, web space and 1Gb per month bandwidth (usage). Summer Fayre (needs adobe reader), to celebrate 50 years of public ownership by Bristol Council! Free entry for 3 days of special events from Friday the 24th to Sunday the 26th of July 2009. Kite making, falconry, Anton Bantock, kids activities, traditional lawn games, miniature balloons, hog roast and much more ... including many tours and walks don't miss the guided tours of the mansion on Sunday the 26th from 1-4pm. Note that booking is essential for the tours and walks.
History and NeighboursLinks on the history of Ashton Court and to its neighbours: Leigh Woods, the Avon Gorge, Clifton Suspension Bridge ... Map and Directions to Ashton CourtRoad map or Road Map with places of interest marked (external links). Click on directions "to here" and enter your post code to also get directions. There are three main entrances to the estate all have parking areas, the Kennel Lodge Road entrance gives easy access to the mansion. Note: The roads shown on the estate map link above are gated and locked in places. There is no through road. To help select the best entrance some pages give access information, as -
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2006 Bristol Balloon Fiesta, the Special Shapes Tether.
Bluebells in 
The 700 year old 
Above Fallow Deer on a early March morning.
Red Deer on the upper pasture between the Summerhouse and Rownham Plantations.
Ashton Court Home Contact Mansion
Woodland & Meadows Deer Fiesta & Festival Activities Visitor Centre
Copyright Peter Frost © 2009 Top of Page