Name: Cliveden Gardens and Maze
Rating: 5.0

Cliveden Gardens and Maze

Cliveden Road, Taplow, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire SL1 8NS, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Cliveden set high above the River Thames, our magnificent gardens and breath-taking views have been admired for centuries. Visit us and you’ll discover a series of gardens with impressive floral displays, distinctive topiary and an outstanding sculpture collection as well as acres of woodlands to explore.

We also have lots of events and activities planned throughout the year including the school holidays to suit all ages and tastes. Especially for families, there is a storybook themed play area, giant maze and woodland play trail and the gift shop, which was designed with families in mind.

Price starts from £21.00 for Adults(18 years and over), £10.50 for Children(5-17 & under 5s free) and £31.50 for Family(2 Adults and up to 3 children). 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

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Volunteer-led history walks: Step into Cliveden’s story on a volunteer-led history walk. Every corner of Cliveden has a tale to tell — and this November, our wonderful volunteers are ready to share them with you. Stroll through the estate and uncover stories of dukes, duchesses, gardeners and guests who helped shape Cliveden’s remarkable past. Walks run every Tuesday and Thursday from 18 November (subject to volunteer availability). Start time: 11am. Each walk lasts 60–90 minutes and covers up to 2 miles. Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis from the Information Centre in the Walled Garden. Walks include some inclines and steps, so may not be suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or young children. Assistance dogs only.
House visits: Step inside the house to hear Cliveden's stories from the Astor family and more. Cliveden House is currently leased as a luxury country hotel and generally not open to National Trust Visitors. However, March – October, National Trust visitors can enjoy a 30-minute guided visit, every 10 minutes from 11am-12:30pm. Please ensure you have collected a ticket from the Information Centre on arrival, as these are first come, first served. Visit ‘Things to see in the house and chapel’ page for more information.
Chapel: Head to the western side of the Parterre for a surprise; the unassuming domed building overlooking the river houses a wonderfully ornate chapel, also known as the Octagon Temple. The Chapel is open in the afternoons from April to October on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions. See the 'Things to see in the house and chapel' page for more details on opening.
Formal gardens: Enjoy 80 acres of year-round interest and colour, from the bedding scheme of the geometric parterre, hundreds of roses in the Rose Garden, an Oriental-inspired Water Garden, to Lord Astor’s sculpture collection and the impressive Cliveden Maze. There are spaces for everyone to enjoy, for quiet reflection or time with loved ones.
Escape into the woodlands: Stroll through Cliveden’s woodlands this winter and follow paths dusted with frost and falling leaves. Explore tree-lined rides and viewpoints framed by the season’s rich colours. Keep an eye out for the estate’s quirky treasures, from a flint grotto to a giant slice of a Californian redwood, left behind by the families who have called Cliveden home.
Iconic river thames: Soak up one of the prettiest stretches of the river, Cliveden Reach. The perfect spot for a picnic or a stroll at the river side. Treat yourself to a trip on a skippered cruises or a self-hire vessel. Head to boatingatcliveden.co.uk to book your river adventure. Boating at Cliveden runs from April – October.
Holiday cottages: Stay in one of our two characterful riverside cottages nestled on the banks of the River Thames within the Cliveden Estate. Packed with charm, the cottages boast bright and modern interiors with beautiful views over the river, offering stays for two to four people.
Christmas at Cliveden: From Saturday 15 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026, enter an enchanting Christmas experience at Cliveden as scenes from The Nutcracker come to life across the estate.
Family-friendly things to do at Cliveden: Looking to get the whole family outside this winter? Cliveden has festive fun for everyone, whether young in body or young at heart. From twinkling walks to self-led family adventures, it’s the perfect place to make magical winter memories together. Discover all the seasonal delights waiting for you and the kids this Christmas.
Exploring the woodlands at Cliveden: Stroll through the woodlands at Cliveden to explore a landscape of tree-lined rides and viewpoints. Keep a look out for some of the more unusual features added by the families who have owned the estate over the years, including a flint grotto and a giant slice of a Californian redwood tree.
Things to see in the garden at Cliveden: Follow in the footsteps of dukes, earls, kings and queens as you stroll through a series of impressive spaces at Cliveden, each with its own special charm. Enjoy year-round interest and colour, from the bedding scheme of the Parterre and the hundreds of roses in the Rose Garden, to Lord Astor’s sculpture collection and the impressive Cliveden Maze. Cliveden is famous for its formal flower displays in the summer, particularly on the grand Parterre, in the Duke’s Garden and on the Lower Terrace. This year, the Parterre will be awash with a dazzling display of white, purple and orange. The sixteen main Parterre beds are being planted up with a mixed display of Salvia ‘Victoria Blue’ and Gazania rigens ‘New Day Clear Orange’. Each bed will also be interlaced with a ribbon of Senecio cineraria ‘Silver Dust’ as we give a nod to the original bedding scheme designs of John Fleming, Head Gardener at Cliveden in the 1850s.
Things to see in Cliveden's house and chapel: The 2025 House & Chapel season has now concluded. Please check back in March 2026 for the release of the 2026 season dates. Step inside Cliveden House, a place steeped in history, intrigue, and timeless elegance. Originally built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham as a gift for his mistress, the house has long been a retreat for the elite. Today, enriched with antique furnishings and exquisite period features, Cliveden remains true to its heritage while offering a luxurious setting to rest, meet, and be inspired.
Group visits at Cliveden: Cliveden is a perfect destination for a group day out. There's something for everyone including beautiful seasonal floral displays, an outstanding sculpture collection and plenty of educational resources for school groups.
Outdoor activities: Boating at Cliveden - The 2025 boating season has now concluded. Please check back in April 2026 for details of the upcoming season’s dates and prices. Discover more about Cliveden’s long association with boating on the River Thames, including its connections to The Wind in the Willows and how you can hire a boat to experience this timeless pastime for yourself. ‘Boating at Cliveden’ operates daily from April to October, subject to river and weather conditions.
Top trails: Cliveden gold walking trail, Cliveden green walking trail, Cliveden woodland walking trail, Cliveden blue walking trail.

Facilities

Parking: National Trust members park free. Please present your NT membership card, if a member on arrival through your car window.
Food & Drinks: The Conservatory Cafe sells hot and cold meals, drinks and snacks and has indoor and outdoor seating.
Toilet: Toilets in the Gas Yard, by the Conservatory, by the Storybook Play Den and the Woodland lounge are open and checked regularly. Accessible toilets are available at the Doll's House, next to the Storybook Play Den and in the Gas Yard. Baby-changing facilities in Female & Male Gas Yard, Conservatory Toilets and in both toilets at the Doll's House.
Dogs allowed: Dogs are welcome at Cliveden and we have a dog walker's guide as to where they can go.

What to see

History of Cliveden: Cliveden is an extraordinary estate shaped by a succession of remarkable people including, Dukes, Princes and the first woman MP to take her seat in the Houses of Parliament. Home to one of the National Trust’s most significant sculpture collections, Cliveden has been a focus for entertaining, controversy and political intrigue for over 350 years.

For more information please visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/cliveden/history-of-cliveden

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult (18+): £21.00
Child (5-17) under 5s free: £10.50
Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children): £52.50
Group (Adult 18+): £19.95
Group (Child 5-17): £9.98
Family (1 Adult and up to 3 children): £31.50

Pricing URL: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/cliveden#place-prices

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Garden and Woodlands: 09:30 - 16:00
Shop and Weighbridge Secondhand Bookshop: 10:00 - 16:00
Conservatory Café: 09:30 - 15:30
Woodland car park: 09:30 - 15:30
Refreshment kiosk: 09:30 - 16:00
Storybook play area and Maze: 09:30 - 15:30
Woodland Lounge trailer: 10:00 - 15:30
Please note: that the last entry to Cliveden Estate is 3.30pm*. *From Thursday 20 November - Friday 19 December, Cliveden Estate will be open on Thursdays and Fridays until 6pm, last entry 5.30pm. The 2025 House & Chapel season has now concluded.

Time may vary please check here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/cliveden#place-opening-times

Address: Cliveden Road, Taplow, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire SL1 8NS, UK

Post Code: SL1 8NS

Council: Buckinghamshire

County: Buckinghamshire

By road: From M4 take exit 7 onto the A4 towards Maidenhead and follow the brown signs. After about 1.5 miles, you will turn right at traffic lights onto Berry Hill. Continuing on to become Cliveden Road, the woodland car park will be about 1.5 miles on your left and the main entrance a further 1.5 miles on your left. From M40 take exit 4 onto A404 to Marlow an exit at junction 2, following the brown signs. Bear left at the roundabout onto A4155 towards Bourne End. Follow the A4155 for about two miles through Bourne End and on towards Wooburn. At the third roundabout you’ll take the right-hand exit onto Hawkes Hill. Follow this road as it becomes Hedsor Hill, then Bourne End Road. After two miles, at the ‘Y’ junction, turn right onto Cliveden Road and the main entrance is a few hundred metres further on the right. Continue for a further 1.5 miles to reach the woodlands. The main entrance is opposite the Feathers Inn. Click on the map pin to plan your route. Please note: The main entrance is width and height restricted so if coming in an over-size vehicle please call us on 01628 605069 for details.
By train: Taplow 2½ miles and Burnham 3 miles are both on the London Paddington to Reading mainline. Taxi office/rank at both stations. We do not advise walking from these stations along the main roads. These are country roads with no pavements and very fast traffic (60 mph). Bourne End 2 miles is on the Maidenhead to Marlow branch line. There is no taxi rank. These stations are served by GWR and the Elizabeth Line.
By bus: Unfortunately there are no public bus services to Cliveden.
On foot: Though it is possible to walk to Cliveden from both Bourne End and Taplow stations, we do not recommend it. Access is only available via country roads with no pavements and fast-travelling traffic.
Parking: National Trust members park free. Please present your NT membership card, if a member on arrival through your car window.