Severe weather closure at Charlecote Park

We have to close parts of Charlecote in the event of severe weather for the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers.

Our decision to close is based on the current conditions at Charlecote and the most up-to-date weather forecast for the immediate area. We would much rather be welcoming visitors than closing our gates.

When Weather Warnings are in place please check our website front page and social media for updates before travelling any distance, or call the property office 01789 470277 to check for more information.

Heavy rain

This causes flooding in the parkland which is unsafe because we cannot see the edges of the rivers or the boundaries of the lake. Shallow water at the edge of a flooded area can quickly become deep and dangerous. Mud underfoot is slippery.

Please, never paddle at the edges of floodwater.

We know many of you love to take photographs and we will allow access to the areas we feel are safe for visitors.

Walking on very wet ground compacts the soil which prolongs the drying-out of the parkland.  This has an impact on our wildlife, deer and sheep. Compacted soil dries hard and solid which has an detrimental effect on grass and tree roots and available nutrients in the soil.

Strong winds

Excessive winds and strong gusts can suddenly bring down heavy branches in the parkland or on the cedar lawn. Our veteran trees are checked regularly throughout the year, but their age means that weaker branches are vulnerable to stress.

Our policy is to close the area around the cedar lawn (including the Orangery) when wind gust speeds are in excess of 40mph. This also restricts access to the parterre and woodland gardens.

We close the whole property when wind gust speeds are forecast to exceed 50mph.

There are many ancient trees on site and in the car park. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors is paramount.

Our volunteer photographer braved the stormy weather to create this film - even the deer are spooked by the ferocity of the winds.

Snow

We don’t expect staff and volunteers to drive in (most live some distance away) when roads are unsafe. We would not wish visitors to drive on icy roads either.

Our car park and pathways throughout the property soon become icy and slippery too when even a light snowfall becomes compacted.

At times of severe weather the priority of our park ranger and her team is the safety and welfare of our deer and sheep and other wildlife in the parkland. All our trees and flooding boundaries are constantly monitored. The house team are on constant alert for damage to buildings and ensuring that pumps in the cellars are working. Allowing visitors on site at such times would take valuable staff resources away from this critical work.