Group visits to Canons Ashby

A group of visitors on a garden tour at Standen in West Sussex on a sunny summer day — A group enjoying Canons Ashby | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Canons Ashby is the perfect place for a group day out. Explore the atmospheric and homely 16th-century Elizabethan manor house, formal terraced gardens and the 12th-century Augustinian priory church.

Group visits

Canons Ashby welcomes group visits throughout the year, Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays, during school or public holidays or on event days. Discounted rates are available for any non-members in pre-booked groups of more than 15 people.

All groups should book in advance, including smaller groups arriving by coach or minibus, in order to guarantee entry and a coach parking space.

Planning your visit

Because we are a small site, we ask you to split yourselves into smaller sized groups during your visit so that you have the best time here.
There is limited seating in the tea-room. You may not be able to all eat at the same time. If you’re planning to come in the morning, pre-ordered morning refreshments may be available. Note we do not take bookings for the tea-room.
An average visit length is approximately 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.
There will be a chauffeur driven access buggy to help visitors who need a lift get from the car park to the main house and tea-room area.
If members of your groups are wheelchair users or may not be able to manage the seven steps into the house, please contact us to discuss their access needs.

Who is eligible for free entry?

Registered tourist board guides (on production of a valid badge), coach drivers and tour leaders escorting groups of 15 or more. National Trust members also receive free entry, so it is at your discretion whether to refund the entrance fee to members if you have included it in your package – this is not refunded by the National Trust.

Members must bring their current membership cards with them to avoid paying the full group rate. If any of your group would like to join the National Trust please direct them to our Membership page or call 0344 800 1895.

A family group of five people sit on the grass chatting at Morden Hall Park in the summer. Patches of sunshine break through the mature tree canopy. — Enjoy a tour with your group at Canons Ashby | © National Trust Images/Rob Stothard

During your visit

When you arrive you will be greeted by a member of the Visitor Reception team, who will scan your group’s membership cards or take payment through the till. They will give your group leaflets and directions to begin your visit.

During busy periods we operate a timed-ticket entry system into the house. If this is the case you’ll be given your tickets on arrival.

All visits are self-guided unless otherwise organised. There are volunteer room guides throughout the house who can tell you all about the house and answer any questions you have.

What can your group enjoy on your visit?

• A stroll around the beautiful garden, paddock and parkland

• Explore the fascinating historic house

• Discover St Mary's Church– built on the foundations of the medieval monastic buildings

• A light lunch or refreshments in the Stables Tea-room

• Pick up a souvenir from the Coach House Shop, or pop into the second-hand bookshop.

Education group visits

Self-led educational visits are allowed on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to plan your visit, please contact us using the email address below.

Schools or education groups can benefit from an Education Group Access Pass, which gives the whole group free admission and parking at most of the places in our care for a year.

Free familiarisation visits for group leaders

If you're planning a group visit you can request our free Travel Trade Pass and you and a friend or colleague will gain free entry to over 300 of our places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 12 months. There’s nothing quite like seeing or experiencing somewhere for yourself to help you plan a successful visit. To receive your pass, call 0344 800 2329 or email us at NTTravelTrade@capita.co.uk.

Get in touch about bringing a group to Canons Ashby

If you would like to book a group visit please email us at canonsashby@nationaltrust.org.uk for information and to request a group booking form.

For further information please call 01327 861900.

Visitors walking along a grass path through the garden at Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire. There are summer flowers in bloom on the right and neatly clipper topiary can be seen in the background with the house behind.

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