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Photo: Mansion South Face 17th to 19th Century |
Ashton Court Mansion
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.
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 Town Gate and traveled in a great sweep below the mansions south face to eventually arrive at the Western Entrance. Access from Kennel Lodge Road.
Replanted in 2006 with a variety of climbing and shrub roses in a formal planting. |
The south face of Ashton Court Mansion from the sunken garden.
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History and NeighboursLinks on the history of Ashton Court and to its neighbours: Leigh Woods, the Avon Gorge, Clifton Suspension Bridge ... |
Western Entrance and the Lodges
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Ashton Court Mansion west entrance (above) is the main entrance to the mansion. The west face dates from about the 16th Century and leads to a 14th Century Medieval Hall. Sadly the mansion itself is not open to the public.
Drives ran from the Clifton, Clarken Coombe, Church and Town (later called Lawn or Garden) Lodges converging here. Before Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge was built the estates main entrance was the Town Gate (external link), now somewhat sadly positioned on the boundary of Ashton Park School and the A370, Brunel Way dual carriageway. The town gate had the disadvantage of either a trip across the River Avon on Rownham Ferry (external link) or a lengthy trip into Bristol to cross the first bridge downstream. Clifton Lodge was built when the Clifton Suspension Bridge (completed 1864) opened, offering a much easier route into Bristol. Only traces of the drive to the old Town Gate remain but the other driveways still exist. The other lodges have fared better than the Town Gate -
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Clifton Lodge, front and rear views.
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 for the staff and tradesmen.
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