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Cliveden
Glorious gardens and woodlands overlooking the River Thames
Cliveden Road, Taplow, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire, SL1 8NS
Important notice
Please be aware, we are busy on weekends and school holidays, due to limited car parking the estate may need to close temporarily throughout the day. Thank you for your patience and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Opening times for 4 December 2023
Asset Opening time Garden and Woodlands 09:30 - 16:00 Shop and Weighbridge Secondhand Bookshop 10:00 - 16:00 Conservatory Café 09:30 - 15:30 Woodland car park 09:30 - 16:00 Refreshment kiosk 09:30 - 16:00 Storybook play area and Maze 09:30 - 16:00 Dolls House Café Closed Please note that the last entry to the estate via Main Gate and the Woodland car park is 3.30pm, with all vehicles and visitors leaving by close at 4pm.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £17.00 Child £8.50 Family £42.50 1 adult, 3 children £25.50 Group Adult £16.15 Group Child £8.08 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Book shop
The Weighbridge second-hand bookshop is in the Gas Yard.
Kiosk
The Kiosk is in the Walled Garden and sells hot and cold drinks and snacks. A drinking water tap is available to refill water bottles on the side of the Kiosk.
Cafe
The Conservatory Cafe sells hot and cold meals, drinks and snacks and has indoor and outdoor seating.
Plant shop
Cliveden Plant Centre is in the Walled Garden, outside the Shop.
Car park
On site car parking (included within admission fees). The Main Visitor Car Park is in the Walled Garden at the top of the estate. The Woodland Car Park is located at the other end of the estate in the woodlands. Cycle racks are available in the Car Park. We ask you not to cycle on the estate. Speed limit - 15 mph across the estate
Shop
The Shop is in the Walled Garden and stocks a range of gifts, books, homeware, accessories and children's toys and books.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome at Cliveden and we have a dog walker's guide as to where they can go. Please scroll down to read our dog walking article for more information.
Toilet
Toilets in the Gas Yard, by the Conservatory, by the Storybook Play Den and the Woodland lounge are open and checked regularly. Accessible toilets are available at the Doll's House, next to the Storybook Play Den and in the Gas Yard. Baby-changing facilities in Female & Male Gas Yard, Conservatory Toilets and in both toilets at the Doll's House.
Designated disabled bays are available in the Main Visitor Car Park. Manual and all-terrain wheelchairs available to hire from the Info Centre in the Main Visitor Car Park. Accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities are available. Service dogs are welcome across the estate. Some areas of the estate have uneven terrain and unfenced lakes, ponds and riverside. Click on the drop-down boxes below for more information or contact the property directly.
Accessible route and/or map
Accessible paths map available from the Information Centre. If you need to bring a carer or essential companion to accompany you as a disabled visitor, please contact our Supporter Services 0344 800 1895 to find the best type of companion card to suit your needs.
Level access to shop
The Shop is in the Walled Garden next to the Main Visitor Car Park.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets are available at the Doll's House, next to the Storybook Play Den and in the Gas Yard.
Seating available
Benches are located around the estate. Picnic tables are in the Picnic Area next to the service drive and also near the Woodland Car Park.
Designated parking
On site car parking (included within admission fees). Cycle racks are available in the car park. We ask you not to cycle on the estate.
Steps/uneven terrain
Gardens have hard gravel paths, some steep slopes, undulating terrain and steps. Suggested level access map around gardens available from outside the Information Centre.
Induction loop
Hearing loops are installed at every fixed till point.
Transfer available
Our shuttle bus service is available on request, dependent on volunteer availability. Dogs are not permitted inside the vehicle, unless a registered assistance dog.
Level access to food outlet
The Conservatory Cafe is on level ground a short walk from the Main Visitor Car Park in the Walled Garden. There is also a Refreshment Kiosk in the Walled Garden.
Wheelchairs available
Manual Wheelchairs and All-terrain Wheelchairs (Manual) and pushchairs are available to hire in advance of visit, please email cliveden@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01628 605069 to book.
By road
From M4 take exit 7 onto the A4 towards Maidenhead and follow the brown signs. After about 1.5 miles, you will turn right at traffic lights onto Berry Hill. Continuing on to become Cliveden Road, the woodland car park will be about 1.5 miles on your left and the garden entrance a further 1.5 miles on your left. From M40 take exit 4 onto A404 to Marlow an exit at junction 2, following the brown signs. Bear left at the roundabout onto A4155 towards Bourne End. Follow the A4155 for about two miles through Bourne End and on towards Wooburn. At the third roundabout you’ll take the right-hand exit onto Hawkes Hill. Follow this road as it becomes Hedsor Hill, then Bourne End Road. After two miles, at the ‘Y’ junction, turn right onto Cliveden Road and the garden entrance is a few hundred metres further on the right. Continue for a further 1.5 miles to reach the woodlands. The garden entrance is opposite the Feathers Inn. Note this entrance is width and height restricted so if coming in an over-size vehicle please call us on 01628 605069 for details. Click on the map pin to plan your route.
Parking: National Trust members park free. Please present your NT membership card, if a member on arrival through your car window.
Sat Nav: For the main entrance at Feathers Gate, please use SL1 8NS. For the woodland car park entrance please use SL6 0HJ.
On foot
Though it is possible to walk to Cliveden from both Bourne End and Taplow stations, we do not recommend it. Access is only available via country roads with no pavements and fast-travelling traffic.
By train
Taplow 2½ miles and Burnham 3 miles are both on the London Paddington to Reading mainline. Taxi office/rank at both stations. We do not advise walking from these stations along the main roads. These are country roads with no pavements and very fast traffic (60 mph). Bourne End 2 miles is on the Maidenhead to Marlow branch line. There is no taxi rank. These stations are served by GWR and the Elizabeth Line.
By bus
Unfortunately there are no public bus services to Cliveden.
By bicycle
Nearest National Cycle routes are routes 50 and 61 to within 2 miles. See Sustrans for more details. The roads around Cliveden are single carriage-way country roads with 60 mph speed limits. Please note, you will be asked to dismount when you reach the bike racks, as cycling around the estate is not permitted.
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Cliveden with your dog
Cliveden is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome across many areas, with woodlands, riverbank and a formal garden all offering a variety of dog-friendly walks.
Article
Things to see in the garden at Cliveden
Follow in the footsteps of dukes, earls, kings and queens at Cliveden as you stroll through a series of areas in the impressive garden, each with its own special charm.
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Highlights
Formal gardens
Enjoy 80 acres of year-round interest and colour, from the bedding scheme of the geometric parterre, hundreds of roses in the Rose Garden, an Oriental-inspired Water Garden, to Lord Astor’s sculpture collection and the impressive Cliveden Maze. There are spaces for everyone to enjoy, for quiet reflection or time with loved ones.
Current conservation works
We are working to repair the late 1890s Water Garden ponds. You'll see one empty pond whilst the concrete base is repaired. Autumn colour will continue to flame in the surrounding beds. Find out more in the 'Things to see in the garden' page.
House visits
Step inside the house to hear Cliveden's stories from the Astor family and more. Today the house is leased as a luxury country hotel, therefore access is limited. See the 'Things to see in the house' page for details and how to visit. There are no visits available between 25 September and 9 October, returning 10 October.
Chapel
Head to the western side of the Parterre for a surprise; the unassuming domed building overlooking the river houses a wonderfully ornate chapel and the resting place for the Astor family. See the 'Things to see in the house and chapel' page for more details on opening.
Iconic River Thames
Soak up one of the prettiest stretches of the river, Cliveden Reach. The perfect spot for a picnic or a stroll at the river side. Treat yourself to a trip on a skippered cruises or a self-hire vessel. Head to boatingatcliveden.co.uk to book your river adventure.
Escape into the woodlands
Set high up on a steep chalk cliff, Cliveden gives visitors far-reaching views across Buckinghamshire. Explore over 300 acres of woodlands with secluded glades, tree-lined avenues and riverside views.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to see in the garden at Cliveden
Follow in the footsteps of dukes, earls, kings and queens at Cliveden as you stroll through a series of areas in the impressive garden, each with its own special charm.
Article
Things to see in Cliveden's house and chapel
Take a guided tour of Cliveden house – now a luxury hotel – and visit the chapel, final resting place of three generations of Astor family.
Article
Exploring the woodlands at Cliveden
Discover majestic trees, tranquil glades and far-reaching views as well as some unusual features in Cliveden’s woodlands, including a flint grotto and part of a giant sequoia tree.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Cliveden
From fun walking trails to boating on the Thames until October, this is your one-stop shop to help you get the most out of your family visit to Cliveden.
Outdoor activities
Activity
Boating at Cliveden
Discover all about the popular pastime of boating, links to Wind in the Willows, and how to hire a boat to enjoy the River Thames at Cliveden.
Top trails
Trail
Cliveden gold walking trail
Take in tranquil riverside scenery, shady woodland, dramatic views of the Berkshire countryside and places of historical interest on this circular trail.
Trail
Cliveden green walking trail
Explore the woodlands, discover a former owner of the estate and take in glorious views of the River Thames, the surrounding countryside and Cliveden House.
Trail
Cliveden woodland walking trail
Explore the woodland at Cliveden on this moderate walk taking in a play trail for the kids, picnic areas and spectacular views over the River Thames and the surrounding countryside.
Trail
Cliveden blue walking trail
A family-friendly woodland walk with a natural den and picnic area, plus a play trail featuring a rope swing, stepping stones and balancing beams.
Eating and shopping
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Eating at Cliveden
Choose from a range of refreshments at the cafes and kiosks at Cliveden fuel your visit around the estate.
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Shopping at Cliveden
Our shop is open and offers something for everyone. Whether it’s environmentally-friendly alternatives for a more sustainable life, a gift for a loved one or an indulgence for yourself, every purchase helps us look after Cliveden for everyone, for ever.
Places to stay
Cliveden Ferry Cottage
Views over the Thames from this half-timbered former ferryman’s cottage near the Cliveden estate.
Cliveden New Cottage
On the Cliveden Estate, this recently refurbished cottage has gorgeous river views.
Upcoming events
Event
Christmas Activity Trail at Cliveden
Discover the joys of the festive season with loved ones on our Christmas trail. There’s festive fun to be had, with activities and outdoor adventures along the way.
About Cliveden
Set high above the Thames with far-reaching views, Cliveden’s impressive gardens and majestic woodlands capture the grandeur of a bygone age.
Follow in the footsteps of dukes, earls and royalty as you explore a series of gardens, each with their own special charm. From the formality of the Parterre with its vibrant floral displays to the quirky statuary and topiary in the Long Garden, the gardens will delight you in every season.
The formal gardens give way to secluded glades, tree-lined avenues and picturesque riverside with miles of woodland walks to discover.
The house is now a luxury hotel, short guided visits run from March- December with a break for the summer, dependent on volunteer availability. To join a house visit, please get a ticket on the day from the Information Centre.
History
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History of Cliveden
For over 300 years Cliveden was home to dukes, earls, viscounts and even a prince. Learn how it became a glittering hub for exclusive parties and political gatherings.
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The people that made Cliveden
Royalty, politics and some of the most prominent society names of the time made Cliveden the place it is today, including generations of the royal family and the notorious Astors.
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The history of the garden at Cliveden
Discover the background and history of some of the main features in the garden at Cliveden and who was responsible for commissioning and designing them.
Article
Who was Harriet, duchess of Sutherland?
Learn about Harriet, duchess of Sutherland, one of the great society hostesses of the age, and a driving force in re-building the Sutherland properties.
Art and collections
Article
Sculpture collections at Cliveden
Cliveden has many sculptures in its grounds, including ancient baboons and bold choices of ‘new art’ sculpture from Cliveden’s 19th-century owners.
Our work
Article
Our work in the garden
Discover what goes into the upkeep of this historic garden and the work of the team of gardeners and volunteers behind the scenes to keep the garden looking great all year round.
Project
Project
Our conservation projects at Cliveden
Discover more details about the conservation projects carried out over the past few years to look after the Grade I listed garden and house at Cliveden.
Article
Hampstead filmed at Cliveden
Find out about actor Diane Keaton’s experience of filming romantic comedy-drama Hampstead at Cliveden.
Article
How Cliveden inspired Disney’s Cinderella
Visit Cliveden and learn how features of the estate influenced and starred in Disney’s 2015 Cinderella movie.
Support us
Article
Volunteering at Cliveden
Discover how and why to volunteer at Cliveden and which opportunities are currently available.