Visiting the garden at Canons Ashby

Looking after the wildlife

At Canons Ashby, planting takes place with nature and wildlife in mind, as well as for visitors. Plants are selected that insects and birds will love, which are grown from seed in the local area so there is less of an impact on the environment.

Homes for the smallest residents

As you explore the garden and grounds, you may find habitat piles or bug hotels in certain places, where leaves, wood and other garden debris have been collected and left in a safe place. This provides protection for creatures like hedgehogs, small mammals and insect life in the cold winter months.

There are also wildlife homes and refuges behind the scenes, which provide places for growing biodiversity and habitats for creatures of all types.

As part of looking after the wildlife, apples and pears are left on the trees or ground. This fruit provides food for lots of creatures in the coldest months, particularly birds like fieldfares or waxwings.

The team regularly check the nest boxes in the garden and parkland. If needed, the boxes are given a clean and prepared for future lodgers. By monitoring which boxes are being used, more information can be discovered about what types of birds are living here.

For families

There's plenty of activities to do and things to explore, to keep the family entertained all year round. With the garden, parkland and paddock, there's plenty of space for your young adventurers to stretch their legs and blow off some steam. Have a chat with the team at visitor reception when you arrive to find out what trails are available.

Autumn highlights in the garden

Head to the front of the house in the formal garden to be greeted with a range of colourful Dahlia’s including rich reds, oranges and deep purples. The autumn colour continues throughout the estate and includes delights such as Parrotia persica and the Mulberry which is usually in full fruit during the autumn; both on the Parterre which also offers lovely views across the wider parkland. The Quercus rubra (Red oak), Juglans nigra (Eastern black walnut) and Acer platanoides (Norway maple) all offer splashes of colour as you first come into the property on the main pathway.

The fruit trees are usually full of fruit at this time of year, including the beautiful plum trees, and the yew trees have recently undergone a period of restoration and have taken well to the recent changes.

Our historic Apple trees in the lower garden are nearly always laden with Fruit in September and October which is the perfect timing for our Apple harvest weekend (find out more information here). We always try to ensure that fallen fruit is left as a food source for winter visitors such as field fares and Red wings, not to mention our resident Blackbirds and Starlings.

Events coming up to enjoy in the Gardens

Guided visits to Priory Church and medieval Stew Ponds

Fortnightly on Thursdays throughout June, July & September. See here for more information about times and dates. The events is free, but normal admission applies for the property.

Find out more about the medieval history of Canons Ashby with a guided visit to the church, and then to the restored medieval stew ponds: an area not accessible to the public without a guide. An exclusive chance to see this beautiful area.

Bat Walk

Saturday 2 & 9 September, 7pm - 8.30pm, adult £13, child £10. Booking required here.

Learn about these fascinating residents of Canons Ashby on an evening walk with our bat experts and volunteers. Enjoy a talk and guided walk around Canons Ashby's grounds on a search for our favourite flying mammals. See what different species you can find and learn more about their habits and habitats with our guests from the Oxfordshire Bat Group.

Harvest Foraging Taster Walks

28 and 29 September, 3.45pm - 4.35pm. £15 per ticket. Booking required here.

Have you ever foraged for delicious wild foods before? Would you like to learn what is in season that can be foraged safely with a little care? This short walk will give you a basic introduction to foraging.

As part of our Harvest events programme, book a short foraging walk with local expert Lizzy to seek hedgerow and woodland edible treats that are full of surprising flavours!

We will be looking for wild fruits, herbs, mushrooms and plants that are all around us and teaching you key identification features/preferred habitats to give a good introduction to foraging for your own wild food journey going forwards.

Autumn garden tour and afternoon tea with the Head Gardener

Wednesday 9 October, 3.15 - 5.30pm, £27 per person. Booking in advance required. Find out more here.

Join an exclusive Autumn tour of Canons Ashby’s beautiful garden led by our Head Gardener, with an autumnal apple and pear tasting from our variety of historic trees.

Learn about the history of the gardens, the plants around you, and the way the team cares for them. Then settle down for a small afternoon tea.

Please note, we have cattle grazing in the wider Parkland, so please be aware when walking through these spaces

Here are some tips to help you stay safe around the livestock you may encounter on the farmland:

Try not to startle livestock
As you’re approaching, whistle or talk to the livestock so they’re aware of your presence. If you then walk past calmly and quietly, the animals are more likely to ignore you.

Cattle may become excitable or frightened by large groups, so try to keep members of your group calm and quiet as you pass.

Don’t panic or run if cattle approach you
Cows can be very inquisitive and may move towards you, but they will usually stop before they reach you. If this happens, be confident and don’t panic. If you run, they may try to follow you.

Think ahead
Don’t allow yourself to become cornered by a group of cattle. They may just be curious, but cows pushing from the back of the herd could cause those in front to panic if they are forced too close to you.

If you find cattle blocking your way, clap your hands loudly as you approach and they should move out of your way. If not, leave the path and go round them.

Take extra care when livestock are with their young
Don’t get between mothers and their young. Most are very protective and can become aggressive. Make sure you give them lots of space.

Leave all gates as you find them
A farmer might have closed a gate to stop their livestock from wandering or left a gate open to let their animals move more freely. Do your bit to help farmers by leaving all gates as you find them.