Essential info for your family day out

Children playing with their dog in the paddock

Canons Ashby has something for the whole family to see, enjoy and explore. From parkland trails, leisurely walks and lawn games, to spotting wildlife, building a den and having a picnic in the paddock. Here's all the 'need to know' stuff, to help plan your day.

  • Parking. There's no charge to park for our visitors. Visitor reception is just next to the car park, where you show your memberships cards or buy your admission tickets. It's a short walk of 200 yards up to the main house, shop, tea-room and the top of the gardens.
     
  • Accessible parking is in the car park. An accessability buggy is available to help you get to the main house, shop and tea-room area.
     
  • Pushchairs and paths. Most of the hard surfaces around the side are hand standing with a layer of loose gravel/stone chips on top, which will be easy for your pushchair. There are some paths which are completely gravel/pebble so they may be tricker, and the path to the church is earth with woodchip on top which varies a lot depending on the time of year. 
    There are a few steps here and there: if you need help a property team member will gladly help you.
     
  • Toilets are located just past the rear entrance to the shop, opposite the (Pebble Court) entrance to the house.This includes a wheelchair accessible toilet and baby changing facilities.
Enjoy a treat with the family
A family enjoying ice creams on a sunny day
Enjoy a treat with the family
  • Looking after the kids:  
    • ​​Baby changing facilities are in the outer area of the ladies/accessible toilets and are available to all.
    • The Stables tea-room has high-chairs and facilities for heating baby food.
    • The tea room also has children's pick and mix packed lunches.
       
  • Entertaining the kids:  
    • ​​There are free trails available from visitor reception to entertain children of different ages. Have a chat to the reception team about what your family would like to do.
    • We run events and activities regularly throughout the year. Have a look at our what's-on page to find out what's coming up soon.
    • Picnics and games are welcome in the paddock or parkland (please not in the formal garden).
    • Don't miss the corner of the paddock and spinney, where there are bug hotels, a small amount of wild play to explore, and where the chickens live. (Please don't feed the chickens human food, it can make them poorly.)
Let the little ones explore this special place
A toddler and his father exploring the paddock
Let the little ones explore this special place
  • Exploring the House  As one of the thousands of visitors viewing this historic house each year, we need your help to take care of it. 
    • Please ask a volunteer where to leave your pushchair when you come in (there is not enough space in the house for pushchairs). Hippy chick side hip carriers are available to borrow.
    • There are not many ropes and barriers in the house, but please keen an eye on your little ones and ask volunteers what can and can't be sat on, touched and picked up. You may be surprised how much can be touched (for example, don't miss having a go on the rocking horse in the nursery!)
    • If you have very muddy shoes our volunteers may ask you to put on some shoe covers to protect the floor.

We love to see so many families enjoying the atmosphere and history of Canons Ashby, and want to help you all enjoy yourselves. Please do ask a team member if you have any questions and they will do their best to help you.