Ashton Court Mansion

Flower and Bee in the Mansion Gardens Owned by Bristol Council since the late 1950's, the mansion offers function rooms, lawns and gardens for corporate or private hire.

Entrance to the mansion gardens and the rest of the estate is free with free parking - apart from during the larger events like the balloon fiesta.

South Face Tower The old stables area of the mansion (by the car park) has public toilets, a visitor centre, exhibition space, picnic & childrens play area, cafe and the stables bistro restaurant.

The south face above was of course designed to impress visitors. You can see two distinct building styles. The older 17th Century wing on the left and the 19th Century wing to the right.

In the times of the last owners, the Smyth family. visitors from Bristol would arrive at the Lower Lodge (also known as the Town Gate) and traveled in a great sweep below the mansions south face to eventually arrive at the Western Entrance.

The mansions South Face from the Sunken Garden.
The south face of Ashton Court Mansion from the sunken garden.

Early morning view
South face on an early summer morning.

Rose Garden

Early bloom in mid May 2007. I prefer naturalised or truly wild plants and flowers to formal gardens but the rose garden is an exception and worth a look in late spring and summer.

Replanted in 2006 with a variety of climbing and shrub roses in a formal planting.

June 2010, a rose arch in the gardens. The fencing is to protect the roses from the wild Roe Deer which nibble at young shots.

Access from Kennel Lodge Road.

History and Neighbours

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

Ashton Court Western Entrance

Ashton Court Mansion west entrance is the main entrance to the mansion. The west face dates from the 16th Century and leads to the original part of the mansion a 14th Century Medieval Hall.

Sadly the mansion itself is only occasionally open to the public.

West entrance

Drives ran from the Clifton, Clarken Coombe, Church, Kennel and Lower Lodges converging here.

The Lodges

Before Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge was built the estates main entrance was the Lower Lodge or Town Gate (external link), now somewhat sadly positioned on the boundary of Ashton Park School and the A370, Brunel Way dual carriageway.

Only traces of the drive to the old Lower Lodge remain but the other driveways still exist.

Using the Lower Lodge to get to and from Bristol had the disadvantage of either a trip across the highly tidal River Avon on Rownham Ferry (external link) or a lengthy trip to cross the first bridge upstream.

Clifton Lodge was built when the Clifton Suspension Bridge (external link) was opened in 1864, offering a much easier route into Bristol.

The other lodges inside the current estate boundaries have fared better than the Lower Lodge

Clarken Coombe Lodge

Clarken Coombe Lodge restored in early 2007.

Church Lodge

Church lodge viewed from inside the estate. Now only for pedestrian & cyclist use, leading to All Saints Church, Long Ashton. For the outside view see Church Lodge or Gate (external link).

Clifton Lodge

View of Clifton Lodge from Leigh Woods.

Clifton Lodge, front view

Below Clifton Lodge from inside the estate.

Clifton Lodge, rear view

Kennel Lodge

Ashton Court has one further lodge, Kennel Lodge. The driveway from the Kennel Lodge Road Entrance passes this Lodge some distance from the house. Then goes up to the stables and the (now demolished) servants quarters and I am sure that it was primarily used by staff and tradesmen.

Now Kennel Lodge Road is the main entrance for the mansion with car parking and the visitor centre facilities.

The rather modest Kennel Lodge The very modest Kennel Lodge on Kennel Lodge Road, just before the University of the West of England - faculty for the Creative Arts campus.

Ashton Court Home Contact Mansion Woodland & Meadows Deer Fiesta & Festival Activities Visitor Centre