Discover more at Cliveden
Find out when Cliveden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Exploring the woodlands at Cliveden
Stroll through the woodlands at Cliveden to explore a landscape of tree-lined rides and viewpoints. Keep a look out for some of the more unusual features added by the families who have owned the estate over the years, including a flint grotto and a giant slice of a Californian redwood tree.
Woodland Lounge
We have listened to visitor feedback and we now have a new indoor seating area that is dog friendly. This is located at the Woodland Lounge which is just off Green Drive in the Woodlands (directional signage is in place). This is open daily from 10am - 2.15pm.
Things to see in the woodlands
Discover many intriguing features as you wander through the trees.
Discover many intriguing features as you wander through the trees. Dogs are welcome in the woodlands. Download or print the handy Cliveden dog walking guide to see a map of the areas you can go with your pooch or collect a copy of the map from the welcome team on arrival. We ask you to observe the traffic light system in place.
Green zone – dogs allowed off leads, under close control. Across the 300 acres of woodland and river paths, well behaved dogs are free to roam. Use the map here to find waste disposal bins and drinking stations. When in this zone, please keep your dog under close control (within site and able to recall in any situation), this helps to protect our wildlife and gardens, and for the safety of other visitors and dogs.
The Duke’s Seat
Perched high on the clifftop overlooking the house and Parterre, you’ll find a larger-than-life marble statue of the Duke of Sutherland. It was moved here from the Grand Avenue in 1896 to make way for Lord Astor’s new acquisition, the Fountain of Love.
It is an apt choice of location as nowhere else on the estate can you enjoy such a fine view of the house, built by the Sutherlands after a devastating fire in 1849.
A slice of Californian redwood
See another of Lord Astor’s additions to the woodlands a few steps down the cliff – a 16ft 6in (5.03m) wide slice of Californian redwood (Sequoia gigantea).
Exactly why this section was imported in 1897 remains unclear but rumours at the time claimed Lord Astor had made a drunken bet that trees in America were so large that he could find one that would seat 50 people around it for dinner. Lord Astor took legal action and even wrote to The Times to deny the suggestion.
'The section referred to has been placed on the ground as an object of interest, but it has never been intended to use it as a dining table.'
– William Waldorf Astor, 1899
It is still the widest section of Californian redwood in the United Kingdom and is now the preserve of cave spiders and bats.
Flint House
Sheltered by a bank to the western side of Green Drive (not far from the entry kiosk) you’ll find the grotto-like Flint House. Thought to date from the late 18th or early 19th century, this small open-sided structure has its walls, roof and floor faced in flint.
Take a moment to pause in this atmospheric spot, just as Cliveden's residents would have done many years ago.
The Round Garden
The apple trees trained around the arched structures of the Round Garden are heavy with fruit in the autumn. It's worth a wander through the apple 'tunnels'. The restoration of the garden at Cliveden has revealed many secrets, including a long-lost fruit garden on the northern edge of the woodlands, just a short walk from Green Drive. The Round Garden was laid out in the mid-19th century and is possibly the only surviving example in the UK of a circular fruit orchard from this period.
Having been out of production since the 1950s, it has been brought back to life by the ranger team who are protecting heritage trees and planting many new ones. Wildlife flourished while it was out of action, making it a haven for rare insects and fungi, as well as bats and birds.
Family fun in Cliveden's woodlands
There's plenty to keep children occupied in the woodlands at Cliveden.
Woodland Play Trail
Why not explore the woodland play trail for an hour or two on the log stepping stones, balancing beams, and more? You might also strengthen your climbing and den building skills along the way.
You'll find the play trail in the heart of the woodlands just beyond the entry kiosk, off Green Drive. It's a great way to get active outdoors and is designed with children over six years old in mind.
Clive’s Den
Next to the play trail is Clive's Den, an extra-special natural den for make-believe of all kinds. Clive's Den is big enough for the whole family to hide in. It's a great secluded spot to put your feet up at the tree trunk picnic tables.
Walking trails and woodland sculpture spotting
If you are enchanted by the woodlands and want to see more, why not try the Blue Walking Trail? A family-friendly woodland walk with plenty of opportunities to head off the main track to explore. Discover our natural den, complete with tree trunk picnic tables, and try out the rope swing and balancing beams along our Play Trail.
Just beyond the woodland car park you can discover the famous Cliveden snails ornately crafted by local woodcarver Nick Garnett. These wooden snails, carved using a chainsaw, represent the tiny snails that were 'imported' from Rome in 1896 in the Borghese Balustrade.
Don’t forget to also keep a close eye out for the variety of birds, bats and bugs that live here, and if you're feeling adventurous, why not do a spot of bug hunting?
Practical information
If you want to break your walk, head to the woodland lounge in the centre of the woods where you’ll find essentials such as picnic tables and toilets. A dog friendly space, nestled amongst the beautiful greenery. Offering extra goodies for your four-legged friends. This new dog friendly, outdoor seating area is located at the Woodland Lounge, which is on Green Drive in the Woodlands (directional signage is in place). During the summer the Woodland Lounge Trailer is open from 10.00am – 4.00pm and during the winter, 10.00am – 3.30pm.
The ground can be slippery under foot in winter and early spring months, so wellies or sturdy footwear are highly recommended. Please note that the Woodland car park closes at 5pm (with last entry at 4.30pm) in the summer and 4pm (with last entry at 3.30pm) in the winter.
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