Our Gardens are open Thursday to Monday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with last admittance at 3:00 PM, one hour before closing.
Our Tearooms are open Thursday to Monday, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Both the Gardens and Tearooms are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Should we have a private event taking part in the Walled Garden, our Gardens and Tearoom may close on a Thursday (but open on a Tuesday instead).
On event days, our Gardens and Tearooms will be open every day with no closures unless otherwise advertised. The Gardens will open from 10:00AM to 4:00PM and Tearooms 10:30AM to 3:30PM.
Please check our website for up-to-date Garden Closure Notifications and important updates.
You can purchase tickets online in advance of your visit (up to one day before) to the Gardens, which also allows you to benefit from a discounted online rate. Tickets are also available to purchase on-site at the gate on the day; please note that on-site tickets are £1 per person more than the online price.
Your garden ticket provides access to the Gardens and Menagerie only. The on-site Tearoom and Play Area are open to all visitors and do not require a garden ticket. All tickets are non-refundable.
We offer on-site parking at £1.50 per car, which is included in the garden ticket price. This fee applies even if you are only visiting the Tearoom or Play Area. Parking can be paid either online in advance or on arrival at the Tearooms. Tickets will be checked by Tearoom and gate admissions staff.
After purchasing your ticket and/or parking online, you will receive an order confirmation email. You can gain access to the gardens by showing a mobile screen image of your confirmation. Please note that signal may be limited in our rural location, so we recommend taking a screenshot of your confirmation in case of connectivity issues.
If you experience any issues with online booking, please inform a team member upon arrival, and they will be happy to assist you.
Please be sure to check our website before starting your journey to us. Our website will provide at least 2 hours’ notice of any garden closures before the gardens were due to open.
If you have already purchased a ticket prior to your arrival, we will notify you the day before of any closures. If we have to close the gardens at short notice, we will email you at least 1 hour before the gardens were due to open.
Please also note: if we are hosting a private event in the Walled Garden, the Gardens and Tearooms may be closed on a Thursday and open on a Tuesday instead. In such cases, we will update our website in advance and notify any customers with pre-booked tickets where possible.
Our gardens remain open and all of our events will go ahead if it rains, but in the case of adverse weather conditions (such a storms, high winds, extreme temperatures etc.) we will need to close the gardens and cancel events. Under these circumstances, we will email you the evening before and we will also put a ‘pop-up’ window on our website. If weather conditions worsen without warning the morning of your visit and we are forced to close the gardens, we will aim to email you at least one hour before the gardens were due to open. Please do check weather conditions and your email before visiting.
Driving:-
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Parking on-site is available chargeable at £1.50 per car, including designated parking for coaches.
If using your phone navigation, you can type in “Castle Ashby Visitor Car Park” which will take you directly to the entrance.
Public Transport:
The nearest Bus stations to Castle Ashby Gardens is at Yardley Hastings, it is approximately 2 miles away, 47 min walk
Disabled parking is reserved closest to our Tearooms.
We would advise that you allow your group at least 1.5 to 2 hours for your visit to Castle Ashby Gardens. Please do stop by at our tearoom afterwards for some refreshments. You could also visit the Rural Shopping Yard, in the village of Castle Ashby, where you will find a variety of local shops together with a delicatessen and cafe. Please click Rural Shopping Yard for more information.
The Tearoom menu contains a delightful selection of cakes, drinks, and hot and cold food. During peak season and holidays, our Pergola will be open serving ice cream, waffles and drinks.
The Tearoom is open Thursday to Monday, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Any unexpected closures will be communicated via our website.
Please note that a garden ticket is not required to access the Tearoom; however, a £1.50 parking charge per car applies.
The largest table in the Tearoom seats 6 guests. If your party requires a larger table please email: Tearooms@castleashbygardens.co.uk for arrangements.
Allergies & Special Requirements
Food served at the Tea Rooms may contain allergens such as, but not limited to, egg, soya, mustard, sesame, and nuts. Please inform our staff of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when ordering. We take all possible precautions to prevent cross-contamination, but we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.
If you have specific health concerns, please let us know so we can assist you in choosing appropriate items from our menu.
Children
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times to ensure their safety in the tearoom. The children’s toys provided in the back of the Tearooms may not be suitable for children under 5 years and therefore, children must remain under the supervision of an adult at all times. Please wash hands before use and please put toys away after use. We ask that visitors (adults and children) take off their shoes on the playmat.
General
We ask that only visitors who purchase food or drink are allowed to use a table at the Tearooms. Seating in the Tea Rooms is on a first-come, first-served basis. We are dog-friendly, and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the Tearoom. A water bowl is also available.
You are welcome to picnic at designated picnic areas in the Gardens. These can be found in the Italian Gardens and Arboretum by picnic tables. Please bring your own picnic blanket or use one of the picnic tables.
We kindly ask that you collect all rubbish before leaving and use the bins provided.
Please note that tables in the Tearoom are reserved for Tearoom visitors only, so we ask that you do not use Tearoom tables for your picnic.
Bring the whole family and enjoy our exciting outdoor children’s play area. The play area features a variety of activities to keep children entertained. A garden ticket is not required to access the play area; however, a £1.50 parking charge per car applies if you are not visiting the Gardens.
We kindly ask all visitors to please follow the rules and regulations of Castle Ashby play area, set-out below, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Castle Ashby Gardens cannot accept liability for any injury caused while using the play area. Your cooperation helps maintain a fun and respectful environment for all. Thank you for your understanding.
1. Parental or guardian supervision is essential for all children using the equipment as the play area is not supervised.
2. Please o rough play, wait your turn and children should slide down the slide feed first.
3. Climbing equipment is recommended for ages 5-15 years old. Playboard and caterpillar for 2-4 years old.
4. For safety, children should wear closed-toe shoes with straps.
5. Large groups should not crowd equipment.
6. No food, drink or rubbish in the play area.
7. Please wash your hands before and and after using the play area.
8. Please dispose of litter in the bins provided.
9. In the event of an emergency please dial 999 and notify a member of staff.
10. The play area may be closed during adverse weather conditions for safety.
11. Pets are not allowed in the play area.
12. Keep noise to a reasonable level so everyone can enjoy the play area.
13. Do not misuse any play equipment or modify its intended use.
Dogs are allowed in the gardens, but must be kept on a lead at all times, except in the Arboretum where well-behaved dogs are allowed off a lead.
Please be aware that children may be playing nearby and visitors are responsible for their dogs at all times, ensuring the safety of others. On Event Days we ask that dogs remain on a lead at all times, in all areas of the Gardens.
Please clean up after your dog. Ask at the main gate if you do not have a poop bag.
For groups of 12 or more, a 20% discount will be applied at checkout when purchasing garden tickets online. To receive this discount, all group tickets must be booked via our website in advance.
Please contact the Tearoom by email: Tearooms@castleashbygardens.co.uk for group bookings at the Tearooms larger than 6 people.
The Tearoom operates on a first-come, first-served basis for all other visitors.
For any general garden group enquiries, please email us at: CAG25@castleashbygardens.co.uk
All areas of our site are accessible by wheelchair. We have mobility impaired toilets and extra wheelchairs if needed. Please note that our paths are made from compacted shingle, which some wheelchair users may find a little difficult.
Your accompanying Carer does not need to buy a ticket. Please bring supporting documentation to show on arrival, this can be in the form of a blue badge, DWP, DLA letter, or a letterhead communication from a registered care home.
Registered assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site. Please have your documents ready to show Garden or Tearoom staff.
Disabled parking is reserved closest to our Tearooms, please show your blue badge to our Tearoom staff on arrival.
There are benches available to use in the gardens, though availability may vary during busy event days.
We hope you will choose to visit us, if you would like any further information before your visit please email us: CAG25@castleashbygardens.co.uk
Toilet facilities are available and these are located by our Tearooms and extra toilets will be available on event days by the play area.
We do allow prebooked photography in our gardens for personal and private use such as a couples shoots, a fee is payable on arrival and the orangery cannot be used. For any commercial or professional photoshoots, please email CAG25@castleashbygardens.co.uk with your request.
For safety and privacy reasons, the use of drones is not allowed anywhere in Castle Ashby.
Our menagerie is home to a diverse range of animals including meerkats, monkeys, farm yard animals, birds, a Falabella called Tommy and more. We invite you to take your time, discover new species, and enjoy the surroundings. Before you enter, please take a moment to review our visitor guidelines to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and respectful experience for everyone. Thank you.
• No dogs or other animals are permitted in the Menagerie.
• Do wash hands with soap and water immediately after touching fences, or any surfaces in the menagerie.
• Do supervise children during handwashing to ensure they scrub for at least 20 seconds.
• Don’t use hand gel or wipes as a substitute for soap and water; they do not effectively remove common farm germs like E. coli or Cryptosporidium.
• Don’t pet or touch the animals.
• Don’t put fingers in mouths or touch your face until hands are thoroughly washed.
• Do eat only in designated areas such as cafes or picnic zones. away from animal contact areas.
• Don’t bring food or drinks into animal enclosures.
• Don’t feed the animals unless using zoo-approved food provided by staff.
• Do respect all barriers and signs. Never climb on, over, or under fences meant to keep you at a safe distance.
• Do stay on designated paths.
• Do approach animals calmly.
• Don’t use camera flashes.
• Check clothing and shoes after a visit. If they are soiled, clean them outside and wash clothing at a high temperature.
• Do not tap on glass or put any body part through railings or fencing.
• Do not throw any article which could cause injury or annoyance to visitors or animals.
Pregnant women should exercise caution when visiting the menagerie to avoid infections like E. coli, Salmonella, and Toxoplasmosis and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water afterwards.
We host a range of events, seasonal celebrations including an Easter Egg Hunt, a Pumpkin Hunt at Halloween and we are planning a Christmas trail.
All events take place outdoors within the Gardens.
On event days, only event tickets will be valid. No general admission ‘Garden Day Tickets’ of ‘Parking Tickets’ will be available or can be used.
Advance booking is recommended on event days. We do sell discounted ‘Early Bird’ tickets so please book early for the best price. Each timeslot has a capacity and will close to any further bookings when reached. Please do book in advance to enjoy discounted tickets and avoid disappointment.
All tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable. However, you can change your ticket up to a week prior to the event if you purchase booking protection.
Our events are designed to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. Please make sure you read our Terms and Conditions (found on the bottom of the homepage of our website) before arriving and adhere to our rules and regulations. Please also make a note of the safety information on your ticket confirmation.
On event days, the cost of parking is included in the ticket price. Disabled parking is reserved closest to our Tearooms, please show your blue badge to our parking staff on arrival if you require this.
Your accompanying Carer does not need to buy a ticket. Please bring supporting documentation to show on arrival, this can be in the form of a blue badge, DWP, DLA letter , or a letterhead communication from a registered care home.
Yes, registered assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site.
There are benches available to use in the gardens, though availability may vary during busy event days.
We recommend weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear, as our paths are made from compacted shingle and may be uneven.
An event menu will be available at our Tearooms. There will also be a children’s lunchbox available to pre-order along with your event ticket on our website. The Pergola will be open during events selling waffles, ice-cream and drinks. For some events, catering vans will also be on site selling food and drinks. Please check the event details on the ticket page for further information or please do email us.
Please make sure you stick to the paths in the gardens. Please be aware that paths can be uneven so watch where you walk. Please do not let your children climb trees, swing on branches or climb or touch any historical structures including urns. Please be vigilant of tree branches, although the risk is low, trees can drop branches, especially during windy periods or periods of drought. Please be aware that there are poisonous plants (including trees) and fungi in the gardens and for your safety, we kindly ask that you do not ingest or touch any of them and closely supervise your children in the gardens. Please be aware of water features around the gardens and the stream running through the Aboretum. Water in all these areas can be deep. Please always supervise children closely and we advise washing hands after visiting the menagerie.
Please be aware of large crowds and keep children close by and always supervised. Please follow signs within the car park and be aware of additional traffic on busier days.
