Ashton Court Estate

Ashton Court Estate, Bristol UK

Just 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 and North Somerset.

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 and 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 18 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 Gardens

Ashton 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.

Ashton Court Mansion south face.

More on the Mansion

Visitor Centre

Close to the mansion car park, around the old stables courtyard are the recently refurbished visitor centre facilities: café, stables bistro, courtyard farm shop, picnic area by the Giant Sequoias & rooms for hire (the Hayloft & Saddlery).

More on the Visitor Centre

Events

The big summer event is the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, drawing over 150,000 visitors on its peak days.

Masss Ascent. 2009 Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Friday am mass launch.

But there are other events like the 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

Woodland and Meadows

Its not all the hustle and bustle that the events and activities pages suggest. There are many much quieter places on the estate.

Bluebells in Rownham Plantation Bluebells in Rownham Plantation.

Domesday Oak in Autumn The 700 year old Domesday Oak near the Deer Keepers Cottage in the centre of the estate.

More on the Woodland and Meadows

Visited this site before?

See what's changed & news.

Deer

With deer enclosures for both Fallow and Red Deer its sometimes possible to get quite close to the deer.

Above Fallow Deer on a early March morning.

Red Deer in Ashton Court. Red Deer on the upper pasture between the Summerhouse and Rownham Plantations.

More on Red Deer and Fallow Deer

Activities

There are a lot of ongoing activities too: -

Walking of course, the estate has a wide variety of woodland and meadows to explorer but also: 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


News & Recent Changes to the website
August
2010

Bristol Balloon Fiesta 12th - 15th August.

Black Cat Royal Navy Helicopter Team Sat 14th and Sun 15th 3:45-4:00pm.

Red Arrows Sun 15th 4:30pm start.

July
2010

"Inspired" Furniture Exhibition Sat 17th to Sun 25th July 2010. An exhibition of beautiful handcrafted fine furniture.

Free admission, you are welcome to buy, commission - or just admire. More in the events list, link in the June section below.

June
2010

New sections on Horse Riding on the activities page, Church Lodge & the Rose Garden on the mansion page.

Added: July-August Events List.

May
2010

Saturday 29th – Monday 31st May Craft Fair and Courtyard Activities. High quality crafts from artists and crafts people from around the South-West, together with demonstrations and activities for all the family.

Venue: Stables Block and Courtyard, time: 10am – 4pm phone: 0117 9639174, Free Entry.

Summer Nights music festival cancelled.

April
2010

New foot & cycle path opened, linking Clanage Road and Kennel Lodge Road to Greville Smyth Park and the Avon Trail (the old towpath).

A new crossing on Clanage Road (A369) for foot and cycle traffic is due soon to complete this link to the cycling network.

Your Site on the Web!

Your site on the web?

One off typical design cost are: 12 page web site - £160, 4 page micro site - £80 or just £35 for a single page website!

Basic hosting with a UK domain name registration cost: £15 pa for multi page sites or £12 pa for single page sites.

Website Design by Bristol PC

History and Neighbours

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


Map and Directions to Ashton Court

Road 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 -

  • Access from Ashton Road.
  • Access from Kennel Lodge Road.
  • Access from the A369 Leigh Woods (Clifton Lodge).

Opening/Closing Times

Opening time: 8.00am

Closing times:

  • November, December and January: 5.15pm
  • February: 6.15pm
  • March & October: 7.15pm
  • April & September: 8.15pm
  • May, June, July & August: 9.15pm

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.


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