Ashton Court Mansion Woodland Deer Fiesta & Festival Activities Visitor Centre
 

Ashton Court Activities

This page aims to give a taste of some of the activities that go on in Ashton Court.

The most popular activity of all is just walking around the estate, see the woodland and meadows pages.

Balloon Flights

The balloon launch site above the mansion has regular flights two of the regulars are -

Lift off for a Bristol Balloon flight

In the early mornings Camerons Balloons regularly do test inflations here too. You are never quite sure what you will see, below a Smurf but I have seen Vincent Van Gogh, Santa in April and many more.

Access from Kennel Lodge Road.

Deer Feeding Walk

Deer Feeding Walk Deer Feeding Walk. Normally run in winter and early spring. See the 'all Ashton Court events' link in the event panel for details.

Access from Kennel Lodge Road.

Golf: Pay and play (open every day)

Ashton Court Estate has two 18-hole par 3 golf courses, the Plateau course and the Lodge course, both on the upper part of the estate.

As well as offering pitch and putt golf, the course also offers a cafe (with public toilets), free car parking and club hire, including one-to-one or group lessons.

For details visit the golf course web page or call 0117 973 8508.

Access from the Clifton Lodge entrance on the A369 in Leigh Woods - Portishead Road.

Horse Riding

The estate's Ashton Road car park (on the B3128) beside the Dovecote is suitable for horse boxes and is close to the start of the bridle path.

Start of the Bridle Path near Ashton Road car park
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.

Access from the Ashton Road entrance near the Dovecote.

Kite Flying

The Avon Kite Flyers met regularly at the top of Ashton Court. See the kite festival page.

Access from the Clifton Lodge entrance on the A369 in Leigh Woods.

Mansion and Gardens

West Face of Mansion from the Garden Ashton Court Mansion hire out use of the mansion and gardens. As a conference centre, for exhibitions, weddings, balls, parties ...

Access from Kennel Lodge Road.

Miniature Railway

Ashton Court Miniature Railway

Photo copyright © D Caseley 2006

Bristol Society of Model and Experimental Engineers (BSMEE) operate the Ashton Court Railway Site. Charges (very reasonable I think) on their site.

2011 Timetable: Weather permitting, normal service will be between 12 noon and 5:15pm.

March: Sun 28th
Apr: Sun 10th, Sun 24th & Mon 25th
May: Sun 1st, Mon 2nd, Sun 15th, Sun 29th & Mon 30th
June: Sun 12th & Sun 26th
July: Sun 10th & Sun 24th
August: Sun 7th, Sun 28th & Mon 29th
September:  Sun 11th & Sun 25th
October: Sun 9th & Sun 16th

December Santa Special: 4th Dec - Tickets on sale at Ashton Court Railway from July 24th

Access from Clifton Lodge on the A369 in Leigh Woods.

Mountain Biking - Timberland Trail

Mountain biking tracks in the estate and in Fifty Acre Wood just outside the estate.

Open Air Theatre

Open air theatre in the Mansion's garden: The Taming of the Shrew

  • Heartbreak Productions last production William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st July 2011.

Access from Kennel Lodge Road.

Orienteering

Ashton Court has a permanent course, a map is available for £1.50 from the golf kiosk which also sells maps of the Blaise Castle Orienteering course. Much more information from:

Recreation Codes

Bristol Council (who own Ashton Court Estate) have recreational codes for cyclists, dog walkers, horse riders & mountain bikers see -

History and Neighbours

Links on the history of Ashton Court and to its neighbours: Leigh Woods, the Avon Gorge, Clifton Suspension Bridge ...

Storytelling Walks

Story telling walks around the estate, mainly close to the mansion. In poor weather, rooms in the visitor centre are used.

Summerhouse Plantation at dusk on the Ghost Walk
The short clip on the left is by tierneae, from the Ghost Walk.

I haven't seen any of these recently, which is a shame as they are fun for kids of all ages, but I will keep this section on the page for a while.


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