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Ashridge Estate
Ancient trees, rolling chalk downlands and lush meadows in an area of outstanding natural beauty
Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1LT
Important notice
Dockey Wood car park is closed until 2024.
No fires anywhere on the estate.
Opening times for 7 December 2023
Asset Opening time Estate Dawn - Dusk Café 09:00 - 16:00 Shop 10:00 - 16:00 Visitor centre 10:00 - 16:00 MTWTFSS2728293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosedBook shop
Second hand book shop inside the visitor centre.
Plant shop
Peat-free plants, plus pots and garden ornaments.
Cafe
Monument Café serving hot and cold drinks, hot food, sandwiches, light bites and cakes.
Shop
Garden, books, gifts and local produce in our shop.
Car park
Parking on Monument drive.
Toilet
To the left of the visitor centre.
Dogs
Well behaved dogs are welcome across Ashridge Estate, dogs on leads inside visitor centre and shop.
Accessible toilets and routes. Blue Badge parking. Mobility vehicles available. Visitor centre and shop accessible.
Accessible route and/or map
Path around the meadow is suitable for wheelchairs
Level access to food outlet
Café situated to the right of the visitor centre.
Accessible toilet
Acessible toilet
Level access to shop
Shop situated to the right of Visitor Reception.
Designated parking
Blue badge parking spaces behind our visitor centre and the café.
Powered mobility vehicle available
PMV's available to hire as a 4 seater, 2 seater or a single, please call 01442 851227 to book.
Induction loop
Induction loops are available at the shop.
Seating available
Accessible benches and chairs available inside and outside.
By road
The entrance to Monument Drive and the Estate Visitor Centre is off the B4506 between Berkhamsted and Dagnall
Parking: Free The car park will be locked between 10pm-6am.
Sat Nav: HP4 1LT
On foot
The Ashridge Visitor Centre is a short detour from the Ridgeway footpath at Ivinghoe Beacon
By train
Tring train station 1¾ miles - from the station you can take a taxi or walk to the Estate on a footpath that parallels the Aldbury road. Ivinghoe Beacon: Cheddington train station 3½ miles
By bus
Buses stop close to the end of Monument Drive. 378 Buses stop in Aldbury village which is a ½ mile uphill walk and also in Tring, which is a 1¾ mile walk.
By bicycle
The Ashridge visitor centre is close to the Chilterns Cycle Route and there are cycle stands at the centre.
Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1LT
Planning your visit
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Visiting Ashridge with your dog
Ashridge is a two pawprint rated place with over 80 miles of pathways. Find out more here.
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Mobility vehicles at Ashridge Estate
We have mobility scooters available to hire to help you explore the Ashridge estate. Find out how you can reserve one for your visit.
PDF
PDF
Ashridge Estate map
For information on our estate walks and where to go at Ashridge, please see our estate map.
Highlights
Ancient forest and chalk downlands
Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Chiltern Hills with beech and oak woodlands, commons and chalk downlands.
Bridgewater Monument
172-step granite column with a York stone base, offering bird's-eye views of the estate. Open weekends during April to October, weather permitting. Charge for non-National Trust members.
Ivinghoe Beacon
Rolling chalk grasslands rich with wild flowers. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its special wildlife.
Monument Café
Hot and cold food and drinks, with outdoor and limited indoor seating.
Shop
Shop selling gifts, local produce and home accessories. Plant shop and second-hand bookshop located at the visitor centre.
Visitor Centre
Visitor information about routes and activities. Home to the gift and plant shop, and second-hand bookshop.
Pitstone Windmill
A rare and striking example of an early form of post mill, one of the oldest in Britain. Explore the workings of the windmill, including the massive post upon which the mill turns, while also taking in spectacular views of the surrounding Chilterns countryside. Open Sundays May to September.
Things to see and do
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Things to see and do at Ashridge Estate
Ashridge has over 80 miles of pathways 5,000 acres of woodland, from the windmill to Bridgewater Monument and panoramic views of the estate, there’s lots to explore at Ashridge Estate.
Outdoor activities
Activity
Outdoor activities at Ashridge Estate
Ashridge has over 80 miles of pathways to explore, on foot, on bike and on horseback.
Top trails
Trail
Bridgewater Monument to Pitstone Windmill circular walk
Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & BerkshireThe Bridgewater Monument to Pitstone Windmill circular walk combines two of the best reasons to visit the Ashridge Estate.
Trail
Ivinghoe Hills butterfly walk
Discover how many butterflies you can spot on this easy circular route on the Ivinghoe Hills at Ashridge Estate.
Trail
In the footsteps of Capability Brown
Discover the Golden Valley, a hidden gem of the Ashridge Estate, on this 4.3-mile walk. Designed by the famous 'Capability' Brown this masterpiece ranks among his finest works.
Trail
Duncombe Terrace walk
Enjoy a gentle walk along the popular Duncombe Terrace, taking in the historic Bridgewater Monument, as well as Ashridge Woods with its ancient trees and varied wildlife.
Trail
Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail - North
Follow the green arrows to discover the outstanding features of Ashridge Estate, including Ivinghoe Beacon, Incombe Hole, ancient woodlands and dramatic scenery.
Trail
Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail - South
Follow the green arrows to discover the outstanding features of Ashridge Estate, including the Golden Valley, ancient woodlands and dramatic scenery.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Ashridge
Discover the shop at Ashridge Estate. It’s through your purchases that we’re able to continue looking after Ashridge Estate for everyone, for ever.
About Ashridge Estate
Ashridge Estate is a 2,000 hectare (5,000 acres) area of the Chiltern Hills AONB with beech and oak woodlands, commons and chalk downlands. These very different landscapes each support a rich variety of wildlife, including carpets of bluebells in spring, rare butterflies in summer and fallow deer that rut in autumn.
In recent years the population surrounding Ashridge Estate has increased significantly and we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of visitors to the estate, particularly around Monument Drive and the visitor centre area. This increase in footfall is beginning to have a significant impact on the landscape and the special habitats in our care.
We are planning to make changes to the infrastructure across the estate so we can continue to welcome visitors in a way that allows nature and wildlife to thrive. Read more about the Protecting Our Roots project.
A working estate
The National Trust took over the Ashridge Estate in 1926 and our Countryside team still manage the landscape as a working estate, continuing 3,000 years of tradition. We use livestock to help look after the diverse habitats on the downlands and our foresters fell timber to ensure the health of the woodland. Keep an eye out for both two and four legged conservation team members during your visit, our human ones will be happy to answer questions on our work.
History
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A brief history of Ashridge Estate
Ashridge's long history begins with Iron Age farms, Roman settlements and a royal park, to Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown creating the Golden Valley.
Our work
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Bluebells at Ashridge Estate
Ashridge Estate sees large areas of bluebells flowering each year which attracts large numbers of visitors. With the flowering window being short over April and May, this creates great pressure on the woodland and its flora during this period. Find out how you can help to look after the bluebells at Ashridge Estate
Press release
National Trust's largest ancient woodland set to be restored on a scale rarely seen
A major restoration project is underway at the National Trust’s largest ancient woodland, Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, to improve the site’s prospects for wildlife and protect its diverse habitats, which are home to many species that are endangered or in decline.
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Looking after our veteran trees at Ashridge Estate
Veteran trees are old trees which are notable for their features, and they play an important part in our ecosystem. Read about the work the ranger team are doing to protect these trees, and how you can help.
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Deer at Ashridge Estate
The fallow deer are an integral part of the landscape at Ashridge and a much-loved feature of this historic estate. Find out about their history here and how we manage them.
Project
Project
Ashridge Estate - Protecting Our Roots
We are looking at making changes to the infrastructure across the estate to help manage the careful balance of increased visitor numbers with the impact on nature. Read about the 'Protecting Our Roots' project and find out more about our vision for the future of Ashridge Estate.
Support us
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Volunteering at Ashridge Estate
Discover the volunteering roles currently available at Ashridge Estate, and how you can apply and get involved today.