Upton House and Gardens
WarwickshireLord and Lady Bearsted’s 1930s country retreat with dramatic terraced gardens and world-renowned art collection.
near Banbury, Warwickshire, OX15 6HT

M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 19 February 2026
Asset Opening time Garden 10:00 - 17:00 House 11:00 - 15:30 Restaurant 10:30 - 16:30 Shop 10:30 - 16:30 The house will be open between 11am - 3.30pm (last entry 3pm, there is a 5-10 minute walk between the car park and the house).
On busy days, we may operate timed tickets for house entrance and these will be subject to availability. They can be collected upon arrival at visitor reception.
The Picture Room on the lower ground floor is currently closed for refurbishment. The galleries on the ground floor and the Picture Gallery and passage on the lower ground floor remain open.
As it isn't possible to have all items or rooms on permanent display, please contact us before you visit if there is a particular collection item or room you are visiting to see.
The gardens are open via the winter walk, which follows the hard paths around the perimeter of the garden.
Whole property until 28 February 2026
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £18.70 £17.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £9.40 £8.50 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £46.80 £42.50 Family one adult £28.10 £25.50 Group (Adult 18+) £16.15 Group (Child 5-17) £8.08 Whole property from 1 March 2026
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £19.80 £18.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £9.90 £9.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £49.50 £45.00 Family one adult £29.70 £27.00 Group (Adult 18+) £17.10 Group (Child 5-17) £8.55 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Assistance dogs only
We welcome assistance dogs in all areas of the property if they are wearing their tabards/harness and working. Please ask your dog to toilet before entering the property. A tap is available in the plant centre if you need to refill a water container for your dog. Please ask if you require assistance. There are several sheer drops and steep steps.
- Audio guide
There is a 1 hour tour available on the Smartify app, free to download.
- Bookshop
Located adjacent to the Squash Court Gallery. There is stepped access.
- Café
The Pavilion Café is open for light lunches, snacks and a range of hot and cold drinks.
- Car park
300 yards from the House, Pavilion Cafe and Shop along a level path.
- Cycle parking
Cycle parking is adjacent to the Visitor Reception building. There is a small repair kit available upon request at reception.
- Family friendly
Children under 5 on scooters, balance bikes and bikes with stabilisers are allowed under close supervision except in the formal gardens and in the Quiet Orchard. Baby-changing and feeding facilities available. There are several sheer drops, steep steps and areas of open water.
- Picnic area
You can picnic on the South Lawn or Sunken Garden, please bring your own rugs or small folding chairs. There are a few picnic tables in the courtyard outside the Shop and on the grassy areas on the edge of the overflow car park. We ask you not to picnic on the tables outside the Pavilion Cafe.
- Shop
Come and take a look around Upton's gift shop, where you'll find a great range of products for every occasion. We urge all visitors to bring minimal items with them into the house including no large bags. Large bags, rucksacks and pushchairs can be left in the white summerhouse next to the shop.
- Toilet
Toilets including accessible toilets are situated in the courtyard by the shop and in the Pavilion Café. There are no visitor toilet facilities in the House.
The House, Pavilion Café and Shop are 300m from the car park. The garden is partially accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. There is a ramped entry at the main garden entrance. There is also access via sloping paths through the orchard opposite the café. Beyond the south lawn, the gardens descend steeply in a series of terraces, the routes are via stone staircases or steep grass and crushed stone pathways. There are unguarded ponds, slopes and drops throughout the garden. There is designated ‘disabled’ parking available, we offer a volunteer operated driver-assisted buggy, an accessible toilet, an accessible wheelchair route through the ground floor of the house and through parts of garden. Please note – we are not able to accommodate pushchairs or large bags in the main house; they can be stored in the summer house adjacent to the shop. We do have hip carriers available to borrow (subject to availability). Please ask at Visitor Reception or upon entrance to the main house for more information
- Accessible route and/or map
The admission leaflet contains a map detailing surfaces and locations of steps and sheer drops. The garden has a level section behind the House and the South Lawn, then descends steeply in a series of terraces, accessed via a mixture of natural grass, woodland and loose stone pathways and stone steps.
Accessible route and/or map - more information- Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets are available in the courtyard by the Shop and in the Pavilion Café. Left-hand transfer and lit by a fluorescent bulb. Paper towels available for hand drying.
- Braille (guide or menu)
Braille guides available that include an introduction to Upton House and Gardens and its collections. These are available upon request at the entrance to the house. All our written interpretation is in large print.
- Designated parking
There are 7 designated parking bays for disabled visitors in the main car park, 300 yards from the House and shuttle service is available. There are 3 parking bays for disabled visitors close to the House. Visitors may also drop off disabled passengers at the House before returning to the main car park. Please enquire at Visitor Reception for assistance.
- Drop-off point
Visitors may drop off disabled visitors close to the house before returning to the main car park. Our welcome team will be happy to facilitate this on the day. You are also welcome to contact us ahead of your visit if you would like to discuss any arrangements to help plan your visit.
- Induction loop
Hearing loops are available in Visitor Reception, Shop and Pavilion Cafe. Portable induction hearing loops are also available to visitors attending talks in the house.
- Large print (guide or menu)
All our written interpretation is in large print.
- Level access to food outlet
There is level access to the Pavilion Café, part of which is sloped, so you may require assistance.
- Level access to shop
Entrance via the Courtyard Plant Centre, The courtyard has a level bonded gravel surface.
- Level access/terrain
We are located on the edge of an ice age valley and there are several sheer drops. Most of the garden access is via steep steps and slopes, but can be seen from the edge of the South Lawn which overlooks a 30m drop to the Mirror Pool below. The open rooms on the ground floor are fully accessible.
- Photograph album
There are Highlight folders detailing the collection items on display on the Lower Ground Floor available to view in the Entrance Hall or the West landing area on the Ground Floor.
- Ramped access/slopes
There is a ramped side access to the House. If you require assistance please ask at the main entrance to the House where the team will facilitate access..
- Seating available
There is seating in the Courtyard outside the shop and there is some seating available in the gardens. but you are welcome to bring along a small fold-up chair or rug. Visitor seating is available in every room of the house; please ask any of our house hosts for assistance.
- Steps/uneven terrain
The lower terraces of the garden include steps and uneven terrain.
- Transfer available
There is a covered golf buggy available between reception and the House, Shop and Pavilion Cafe. This is a volunteer run service; on days when volunteer drivers are unavailable, please ask the welcome team at reception for alternative arrangements.
- Wheelchairs available
We have outdoor and indoor wheelchairs available for you to borrow. Please ask our welcome team if you would like a wheelchair; they can also arrange for one to be ready for you at the main house entrance, or at the ramped side entrance. You can contact us in advance to reserve a wheelchair.
- By road
- On A422, 7 miles north of Banbury, 12 miles south-east of Stratford-upon-Avon. Signed from exit 12 of M40. From exit 11 follow the signs for the A422 via Wroxton.Parking: The car park is 300 yards from the house and garden. The car park is locked outside of the opening hours for Upton House and Gardens.Sat Nav: When using your SatNav please follow the directions to the postcode area, then look for the brown signs to find our car park. The entrance is on the main road, the A422. <p> Longitude and latitude 52.111512, -1.460846 </p>
- On foot
- footpath SM177 runs adjacent to property, Centenary Way ½ mile, Macmillan Way 1 mile.
- By train
- Banbury train station is 8.5 miles
- Cycling
- Cycle parking is adjacent to the Visitor Reception building. There is a small repair kit available upon request at reception.
Upton House sits on top of Edgehill on the A422 between Banbury and Stratford upon Avon and has stunning views over the surrounding countryside.
Banbury train station approximately 8.5 miles
Stratford upon Avon train station approximately 13.7 miles
Oxfordshire Cycle Way 1½ miles.Plan your route to Upton House and Gardens using the CycleStreets journey planner via the bicycle link below. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come across a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don't ride on it.
Usual admission prices apply
Planning your visit
Group visits to Upton House and Gardens
Bring your group to visit Upton House and Gardens, see the famous art collection, enjoy the beautiful gardens or hear stories of Upton's history as a home.

Upton House and Gardens map
Take a look at the map of Upton House and Gardens to help plan your visit
Accessibility at Upton House and Gardens
Here you'll find information about access across the different areas of Upton House and Gardens and how to make the most of your visit.

Highlights
House
Honey-coloured country house, remodelled for Lord and Lady Bearsted’s 1930s country retreat. Houses a world-renowned art collection and fine Chelsea porcelain.
Garden
Dramatic terraced gardens designed by Kathleen Lloyd Jones during the 1930s with herbaceous borders, orchard, mirror pool and woodland walk.
Eating
The Pavilion Café serves a range of hot and cold light lunches, snacks, and drinks with indoor and outdoor seating.
Shopping
Gift shop and plant centre with a selection of unique gifts and seasonal gardening ranges and second-hand bookshop.
Things to see and do
Events at Upton House and Gardens
See all we have going on over late winter into early spring.

Family-friendly things to do at Upton House and Gardens
Find out what's on for families at Upton House and Gardens, spot wildlife on the Woodland Walk or simply let off steam in acres of space outdoors. If you're planning for spring, find out more about all we have coming up.

Smartify – your personal digital guide to the Bearsted Art Collection at Upton House
Delve deeper into the treasured collection at Upton House using the new Smartify app.

Discover the house and collection at Upton
Immerse yourself in one of the finest art collections in 20th-century England, which was the country house and weekend retreat of 2nd Viscount Bearsted, Walter Samuel.

Visiting the garden at Upton
Visit Upton's historic garden and marvel at the view that unfolds in front of you. Discover the Mirror Pool and views from the south lawn.

Eating and shopping
Eating and shopping at Upton
Stop by the Pavilion Café on your visit to Upton House and grab a bite to eat, a hot or cold drink and a slice of cake. Buy a souvenir of your visit in the shop, or pop into the second-hand bookshop for a new read.

Top trails
Edge Hill views walk from Upton House
Amble through arable land for spectacular views across Warwickshire and down to the site of the historic first battle of the English Civil War.

Upton House ley line walk
Trace the ley lines first discovered by an amateur archaeologist in 1921 in this history-packed circular trail from Upton House.

The Shenington Round from Upton House
Arable ambling in Warwickshire's countryside, with the opportunity to stop off at a village pub along the way.

Places to stay

Bog Cottage
On the grounds of Upton House, overlooking the bog garden, this former banqueting house is a stylish retreat.

1 Home Farm Drive
With its own private garden, this former stable on the Upton estate has an Art Deco-inspired interior.
Upcoming events
Sense and explore in winter
Use all your senses in Upton's outdoors this winter season with this slow-looking resource for little explorers.
'Modern Muse'- an exhibition by Arpita Shah
Celebrating the nine Greek Muses in our collection, Upton House and Gardens presents ‘Modern Muse’, an exhibition by acclaimed photographic artist Arpita Shah.
'The Six Seasons' - an exhibition by Emily Allchurch
‘The Six Seasons’ is an exhibition of new digital collages by the British artist Emily Allchurch inspired by Bruegel’s ‘Seasons’ paintings from 1565.
Upton social walks
Discover the Warwickshire countryside surrounding Upton House and Gardens and meet new people on these gentle-to-moderate walks.
Easter egg hunt at Upton House and Gardens
This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Upton House and Gardens on an Easter trail.
Drawing Class: Upton House Interiors
Lizzie Bentley leads this fun drawing class amidst the galleries at Upton House and inspired by its world-class collection of European art.
Tai chi at Upton House and Gardens
Join Debbie Wild from the Swan School of Tai Chi and Qigong to discover this ancient Chinese exercise in these weekly classes suitable for beginners and all levels of fitness.
About Upton House and Gardens
Lord Bearsted purposefully redesigned and extended the original honey coloured house to best display his cherished art and rare French and English Chelsea porcelain.
Lady Bearsted turned her attention to the gardens and commissioned one of the first professional female garden designers Kitty Lloyd-Jones to improve them for leisure and pleasure. The topography is distinctive with steep terraces parallel to the house tumbling down into the ice age valley.
Take a wander and admire the soft planting, strong colours and fashionable styles. Highlights include the Wild Garden and Herbaceous Borders, Mirror Pool and South Lawn beneath the magnificent Cedars.
Remodelled for recreation and relaxation, the house, collections and gardens are largely as they were in their heyday from the 1930s.
History
The history of Upton House and Gardens
Discover more about the history of Upton House and how following its acquisition by Lord and Lady Bearsted in 1927, they set about improving the estate and hiring garden designer Kitty Lloyd-Jones to improve the garden.

Our work
Our work at Upton House and Gardens
Take a look at some of the conservation work that takes place at Upton to look after this place for everyone, for ever.

Conserving a rare Tintoretto
Discover how a rare painting by Venetian artist Jacopo Tintoretto has been researched, and conserved in a detailed project.
Art and collections
Upton House's objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Upton House on the National Trust Collections website.

Volunteer at Upton House and Gardens
Interested in volunteering with the National Trust at Upton House and Gardens? Discover how to get involved, as well as the benefits of joining our team of over 200 volunteers. Upton’s volunteers are involved in all aspects of the property and help to make sure that our visitors have the best experience possible.
