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Wimpole Estate
A living working estate, guided by the seasons with an impressive mansion, parkland, gardens and rare breed farm.
Arrington, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 0BW
Important notice
It's Christmas at Wimpole! Please be aware that Christmas music may be playing during your visit at Wimpole. This is so we can test the lights and music for our Winter Lights event.
Opening times for 8 December 2023
Asset Opening time Hall 11:00 - 15:00 Garden 09:30 - 15:30 Park 09:30 - 18:00 Home Farm 11:00 - 14:30 Farm Café 11:00 - 14:30 The Rectory 10:00 - 15:30 Stable Café 11:00 - 15:00 Shop 10:30 - 15:30 Visitor Welcome 09:30 - 16:00 MTWTFSS2728293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosedGardens and Parkland
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £9.90 £9.00 Child £4.95 £4.50 Family £24.75 £22.50 One adult family £14.85 £13.50 Whole Estate - Hall, Garden, Park and Farm
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £19.80 £18.00 Child £9.90 £9.00 Family £49.50 £45.00 One adult family £29.70 £27.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Book shop
Head to The Stables to discover the second-hand bookshop, stocked full of pre-loved books
Plant shop
Cafe
Restaurant
Car park
Shop
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in the Parkland, Stables area and outdoor terrace at the Old Rectory restaurants. Only assistance dogs are permitted into the Hall, Gardens and Home Farm
Toilet
Toilets are available at Hardwicke Gate, the Hall, Home Farm, the Old Rectory Restaurant and The Stables
Electric vehicle charging point
12 7.4 kW electric vehicle charging points are available in the main car park. Chargers can be accessed using mobile app, RFID card, or contactless payment device. Visit our EV charging partner, RAW Charging's website (www.rawcharging.com/drivers) to download the app before your visit.
Blue Badge parking and accessible toilets. Mobility scooters and wheelchairs to hire, buggy service available. Accessible routes available.
Accessible route and/or map
An accessible route to the car park to the Walled Gardens, Farm and Stables is available.
Powered mobility vehicle available
5 powered mobility scooters are available to borrow from the Visitor Centre
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilet facilities are available at Hardwicke Gate (Visitor Centre), the Hall, Home Farm, and The Stables
Stairclimber
Our stair climber for the Hall is available between the hours of 12pm & 2pm provided it is pre-booked before your visit. To book please call: 01223206000. Please note, the stair climber can only be used by people with the ability to transfer between chairs.
Designated parking
Accessible parking is available in the main car park, 94 yards from the Visitor Welcome building
Steps/uneven terrain
The hall is currently only accessible via a flight of 12 stone steps or by using our stair climber, which is available between the hours of 12pm & 2pm provided it is pre-booked before your visit. To book please call: 01223206000. Please note, the stair climber can only be used by people with the ability to transfer between chairs.
Induction loop
Transfer available
An 8 seater golf-buggy, driven by volunteers is available daily between 10am - 4pm upon request to transfer visitors between the Visitor Centre, the Stables, the Hall and the gardens and farm
Level access to food outlet
Wheelchairs available
3 manual wheelchairs are available to borrow from the Visitor Centre in addition to 2 mountain trikes. These off-road wheelchairs require a person to push and are suitable for exploring the parkland and wider estate.
Level access to shop
By road
8 miles south-west of Cambridge (A603), 6 miles north of Royston (A1198). Entrance via A603
Parking: Our new entrance and free car park is accessed from Old Wimpole Road, approximately 500yrds nearer the A603. Please look out for signs directing you to the entrance.
Sat Nav: Please follow the brown tourist signs to enter the estate as some Sat Navs may take you to an unused gateway.
On foot
Wimpole Way from Cambridge
By train
Shepreth 5 miles. Taxi service from Royston 8 miles
By bus
The 75 from Cambridge drops off passengers at Arrington (1 mile from Wimpole) or Orwell (2 miles from Wimpole).
Planning your visit
Events at Wimpole Estate
Search our upcoming events including our seasonal trails and daily offerings at the estate.
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Visiting Wimpole Estate with your dog
Wimpole Estate is a two pawprint rated place. Find out where you can and can't go with your pooch and the facilities available for dog owners on the estate.
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Group visits to Wimpole Estate
Discover everything you need to know about group visits at Wimpole, including information about booking.
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Highlights
Historic house
Impressive 17th-century mansion at the heart of the estate, with intimate family rooms that contrast with lavish Georgian interiors.
Garden
Vibrant walled kitchen garden, geometric parterre and winding pleasure grounds, planted with specimen trees and spring bulbs.
Parkland
Acres of ancient landscape parkland with abundant wildlife, flora and fauna, a Gothic folly, multi-user trail and miles of walks.
Home Farm
Working farm: home to rare breeds including Shire horses, pigs, sheep, cows and goats.
Shop
Shop filled with gifts, homewares, books, local produce and gardening accessories. Seasonal selection of plants for sale in the courtyard.
The Rectory
Café with terrace overlooking the gardens, serving light lunches, homemade cakes and specials, using produce from the kitchen garden.
Second-hand bookshop
Bookshop stocked full of pre-loved books.
Spotlight events
Christmas Illuminations Trail at Wimpole Estate
Tickets for Wimpole at Christmas are on sale now. With new lights, a new trail and new memories to be made, Christmas at Wimpole has everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a magical glimpse of Father Christmas along the way.
A Sensational Christmas... in the House
See the house decorated for Christmas, with 10ft trees and the return of the ‘Lightfall’ in the well of the Grand Staircase.
A Sensational Christmas... at Home Farm
Make your way up to the farm this Christmas to see the animals keeping warm and enjoy a hot chocolate from the café! See our all-new decorations for 2023, including lighting up the Great Barn and cozy sheltered pods in our picnic area next to the new play equipment.
Christmas Carols in the Stables
Have your spirits lifted by festive tunes, sip a warming hot chocolate while you enjoy, and perhaps even sing along with, some well-known yuletide favourites, sure to leave you feeling jolly.
Things to see and do
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Christmas at Wimpole
Be dazzled by the new Illuminations trail, and enjoy choirs singing, decorations galore, and lots of festive food and drink.
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Family-friendly things to do at Wimpole
From events and activities to getting close to animals, here's what you need to know about a family day out at Wimpole.
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Visiting Wimpole Hall
Step inside Wimpole Hall and discover how previous owners made their mark on this complex house.
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Visiting Wimpole Garden
Discover Wimpole’s gardens and visit the Parterre, walk through the Pleasure Grounds meandering your way to the Walled Garden, with herbaceous borders and fruit trees.
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Explore the parkland at Wimpole
Explore the acres of parkland at Wimpole, abundant with wildlife, flora and fauna; stroll across the open space, or head across the Chinese bridge to visit the Gothic folly.
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Explore Wimpole Home Farm
A visit to Wimpole Home Farm is a favourite with all the family. Discover the rare-breed animals, five Shire horses and in spring, visit the newborn lambs.
Eating
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Eating at Wimpole Estate
Stop for a bite to eat at one of the cafés or in the Old Rectory Restaurant at Wimpole.
Shopping
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Shopping at Wimpole Estate
Visit the shop at Wimpole to find produce from the farm, locally sourced treats, toys and plants or bag yourself a bargain in the second-hand bookshop.
Top trails
Trail
Wimpole Cycle Trail
Enjoy an invigorating cycle challenge through the rolling Cambridgeshire countryside around Wimpole Estate, passing through leafy bridleways and arable fields.
Trail
Wimpole Cycle Challenge
This cycle route is especially designed for cyclists looking for a bit more of a challenge, and looking to explore a little further afield from the Wimpole Estate.
Trail
Wimpole archaeology walk
An easy, family friendly 1-mile walk around the Wimpole Estate, uncovering the past at this scheduled Ancient Monument.
Upcoming events
Event
Christmas Carols in the Stables
This Christmas, join us in the Stable Block to listen to Christmas carols sung by local choirs.
Event
A Sensational Christmas... in the House
Join us in delighting your senses at Wimpole this Christmas in the hall
Event
Wimpole Wednesday Walks
Enjoy the estate from a different perspective and discover the best bits of the parkland and countryside by joining our volunteer guides on a Wednesday Walk.
Event
parkrun
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!
About Wimpole Estate
From Iron-age roundhouses to a sophisticated, modern estate, this site has been lived on and farmed for over 2,000 years.
Over the centuries, Wimpole has been owned by several families, and each has left its mark. The Civil War, a true love match and a collection of priceless manuscripts that formed the core of the British Library are just some of its stories.
One of Wimpole’s owners was Attorney-General Philip Yorke. His opinion that an enslaved person did not become free on reaching English soil governed legal thought on slavery for nearly half a century.
The present house, at the heart of this estate, was the vision of Elsie Bambridge. Wimpole had been an empty shell until she filled it with pictures and furniture, bringing it back to a welcoming home in the 1930s.
Intimate rooms contrast with beautiful and unexpected Georgian interiors, including Soane's remarkable Yellow Drawing Room and wonderful plunge bath. The fascinating basement corridor offers a glimpse into life below stairs.
Stroll around the geometric parterre garden and wander through the Pleasure Ground to the Walled Garden, abundant with fruit, vegetables and beautiful herbaceous borders.
Home Farm contrasts the traditional farmyard with the noisy modern piggery and cattle sheds, with daily farm activities there is a chance to join in and discover more about farming.
Stride out across the landscape park, among the rare-breed cattle, through grand avenues, before entering shaded woodland and emerging into an arable landscape.
History
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The history of Wimpole Estate
From Iron Age roundhouses to a modern estate, Wimpole has been lived on and farmed for over 2,000 years. Discover how its owners have each left their mark.
Our work
News
Parterre redesign project at Wimpole Estate
Sustainable Landscape Foundation appointed to redesign Wimpole Estate parterre to ensure it is fit for the future Reimagined parterre will be more resilient to climate change and more biodiverse with a longer season of interest Trust’s Director of Gardens and Parklands says new design will mark a ‘bold, pioneering’ new chapter in the landscape’s history
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Our work at Wimpole Estate
Take a look at some of the important work that takes place at Wimpole Estate on a day-to-day basis, to look after this special place for everyone, for ever.
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Our work to combat climate change at Wimpole Estate
As part of the National Trust's Renewable Energy Investment Programme, Wimpole has reduced its dependence on fossil fuels in recent years. Here is what Wimpole has been doing to combat climate change on the estate.
Project
Project
Green Recovery Project at Wimpole
Discover how Wimpole is using the Green Recovery Fund to help create and restore habitats, support solutions to tackle climate change and connect people with nature.
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Transforming farming with the Small Robot Company
Robots are changing the future of farming. Find out how we’re working with the Small Robot Company to tackle weeds, monitor crops and protect wildlife.
Support us
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Volunteering at Wimpole Estate
Discover the opportunities available for volunteering at Wimpole Estate and what you could get out of it.
Art and collections
Wimpole Estate’s objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Wimpole Estate on the National Trust Collections website.