Name: Ashridge Estate
Rating: 5.0

Ashridge Estate

Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamsted, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Ashridge Estate is a 2,000 hectare (5,000 acres) area of the Chiltern Hills AONB with beech and oak woodlands, commons and chalk downlands. These very different landscapes each support a rich variety of wildlife, including carpets of bluebells in spring, rare butterflies in summer and fallow deer that rut in autumn.

In recent years the population surrounding Ashridge Estate has increased significantly and we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of visitors to the estate, particularly around Monument Drive and the visitor centre area. This increase in footfall is beginning to have a significant impact on the landscape and the special habitats in our care.

If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Ancient forest and chalk downlands: Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Chiltern Hills with beech and oak woodlands, commons and chalk downlands.
Bridgewater Monument: Opens in Spring. 172-step granite column with a York stone base, offering bird's-eye views of the estate. Open weekends during April to October, weather permitting. Charge for non-National Trust members.
Ivinghoe Beacon: Rolling chalk grasslands rich with wild flowers. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its special wildlife.
Shop: Shop selling gifts, local produce and home accessories. Plant shop and second-hand bookshop located at the visitor centre.
Visitor Centre: Visitor information about routes and activities. Home to the gift and plant shop, and second-hand bookshop.
Pitstone Windmill: A rare and striking example of an early form of post mill, one of the oldest in Britain. Explore the workings of the windmill, including the massive post upon which the mill turns, while also taking in spectacular views of the surrounding Chilterns countryside. Open Fridays and Bank Holiday weekends May to September.
Things to see and do at Ashridge Estate: The estate consists of 5,000 acres of woodland, parkland and chalk downlands. Walk from Pitstone to Ivinghoe Beacon across chalk grasslands, explore Pitstone Windmill, or visit Bridgewater Monument at the centre of the estate.
Ashridge Estate - Protecting Our Roots: Ashridge Estate is a special place that welcomes hundreds of thousands of people each year, who enjoy spending time in the beautiful, historic landscape.
Outdoor activities at Ashridge Estate: Ashridge Estate has over 80 miles of pathways. Whether it’s a short stroll or the 17-mile boundary trail, cycle trails on two wheels or four legs on a horse ride, there are 5,000 acres to explore.
Bridgewater Monument to Pitstone Windmill circular walk: This walk links two of the best reasons to visit the Ashridge Estate – the Bridgewater Monument and the ancient post mill. The walk features great views across the Chilterns and the Vale of Aylesbury, especially if you get the chance to climb the monument.

Facilities

Parking: Free The car park will be locked between 10pm-6am.
Food & Drinks: Monument Café serving hot and cold drinks, hot food, sandwiches, light bites and cakes. Outdoor seating only.
Toilet: To the left of the visitor centre.
Dogs allowed: Well behaved dogs are welcome across Ashridge Estate, dogs on leads inside visitor centre and shop.

What to see

A brief history of Ashridge Estate: From Iron Age farms, Roman settlements and a royal park, to Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and two world wars, the Ashridge Estate, on the Hertfordshire–Buckinghamshire border, is brimming with history.

For more upcoming events information please visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/ashridge-estate/brief-history-of-ashridge

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Estate: Dawn - Dusk
Café: 09:00 - 16:00
Shop: 10:00 - 16:00
Visitor centre: 10:00 - 16:00

Address: Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamsted, UK

Post Code: HP4 1LT

Council: Dacorum

County: Hertfordshire

By road: The entrance to Monument Drive and the Estate Visitor Centre is off the B4506 between Berkhamsted and Dagnall.
On foot: The Ashridge Visitor Centre is a short detour from the Ridgeway footpath at Ivinghoe Beacon.
By train: Tring train station 1¾ miles - from the station you can take a taxi or walk to the Estate on a footpath that parallels the Aldbury road. Ivinghoe Beacon: Cheddington train station 3½ miles. Herts Lynx service can also be booked from Berkhamsted and Tring Stations to Ashridge – Bridgewater Monument.
By bus: We are on the HertsLynx route, with virtual bus stop 'Ashridge - Bridgewater Monument' at the top of our drive. This is operational 7am-7pm Monday to Friday and 10am-4pm on Weekends and Bank Holidays.
Cycling: The Ashridge visitor centre is close to the Chilterns Cycle Route and there are cycle stands at the centre. Plan your route to Ashridge Estate using the CycleStreets journey planner via the by bicycle link below (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent by accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don’t ride on it).
Parking: Free The car park will be locked between 10pm-6am.