Ashridge Information
The Ashridge Estate is a 5,000-acre area of woodlands and countryside on the edge of the Chiltern Hills.
Ashridge Estate
Opening times:
Estate open all year. Visitor centre 15 Mar- 21 Dec daily 12-5pm, Monument 15 Mar - 26 Oct Sat & Sun only 12-5pm, Tea-room 15 Mar - 21 Dec daily 10-5pm.
Walking Leaflet:
Download ashridge drovers walk
Download ashridge estate walks for all
Most of this land is open access to the public
and is owned and managed by the National Trust. The area
supports an amazing diversity of birdlife including goldcrest
and the lesser-spotted woodpecker. Wild fallow deer are a
common sight and muntjac deer, badgers and the rarely found
dormouse are also resident.
Bridgewater Monument and Visitor Centre
The main focal point of the Estate is the Bridgewater Monument which towers overhead, built in 1832 to commemorate to the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, the Canal Duke or "the father of inland navigation".
Ivinghoe Beacon and Hills
This rolling chalk grassland is an important habitat for orchids and butterflies in summer. Standing 250m above sea level, it offers outstanding views over Bucks and Herts from its summit, which was once an Iron Age hill fort. It's also the northern end of the Ridgeway National Trail and Icknield Way.
Ashridge Park
This historic parkland was Ashridge's original deer-park. Uncover the Golden Valley, which is really spectacular in the autumn. This is an excellent area for walking, although car parking is limited.
Ashridge Woods
2,000 acres of atmospheric mature woodland with lots of waymarked trails to explore. Get close to nature here, whether it's the mighty beech trees, fascinating fungi, fallow deer or birds like nuthatch. If lucky, you might hear woodpeckers too.
Pitstone Hill and Windmill
Elevated location for one of England's oldest surviving post-mills (an early form of windmill). Dating from 1627, it was restored by volunteers in the 1960s and is now open to the public on summer Sunday afternoons. Fantastic views across the Tring gap and vale of Aylesbury.
- Super panoramas from Ivinghoe Beacon and the
- Duke of Bridgewater Monument
- Great network of footpaths and bridleways to explore, including easy access trails
- Rich variety of wildlife to spot, like red kite and fallow deer
- Ancient woodlands with carpets of spring bluebells and fine autumnal displays
- Historical remains from Iron Age to Victorian era
