Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

Winter Garden Walk at Waddesdon

Winter Garden at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire — Enjoy the striking colours in Waddesdon's Winter Garden on this walk | © National Trust/Waddesdon/Olivia Parker

This is an impressive walking route that shows many of Waddesdon's garden highlights, including a view of Flint House, 3D bedding birds near the Aviary, and the wonderful bronze and black colours in the Winter Garden.

Near to

Waddesdon

Start point

The Stables

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)

Duration1 hour

Dog friendly***

*Some sections uneven underfoot, with moderate gradients.
**Gradients both up and downhill so perhaps not suitable for wheelchair/buggy users. For further details, please see Access section.
***Dogs welcome on short leads.

Address
The Stables
Directions via Google Maps
By road
If approaching on the M40 (westbound) take exit 7 via Thame and follow the A418 into Aylesbury, then A41 from Aylesbury to Waddesdon Village. If approaching from the M40 (eastbound) take exit 9 via Bicester, then follow the A41 to Waddesdon Village. The Manor is signposted from the village. Parking is free of charge: you will be directed to the Visitor car park on arrival by our signs to then take the Shuttle Bus to the Manor. Sat-nav: HP18 0JH (Silk Street).
Toilet
Toilets and baby change facilities at both the Stables and up by the Manor.
Café
Manor Courtyard coffee bar, with outdoor seating, serving hot drinks, baguettes and cakes to go. Stables café: indoor and outdoor seating (dogs only allowed outdoors), serving hot food, hot drinks, sandwiches and cake. Treaterie also at the Stables – indoor seating – serving pancakes, waffles, ice creams and sweet treats, as well as hot drinks.
Restaurant
Manor Restaurant - indoor and outdoor seating (dogs only allowed outdoors). Serving lunches and afternoon teas.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
The Stables
Stage 1
From the Stables, turn right up the pathway towards the Manor. Please note this is a steep pathway and might prove difficult for wheelchair or buggy users.
Stage 2
Once you reach the top of the pathway and are facing the Manor shop courtyard, turn left, following the path past the Apollo sculpture (this is covered in winter months for conservation reasons). Follow the path down, as it loops far below the Parterre. Please note there is a downhill slope to this path, and there is the option to go across the top of the Parterre rather than taking the downhill path, which is a flatter surface and easier for buggies/wheelchairs.
Stage 3
Continue on this path, which will loop around beneath the Parterre and you will be able to take a small path on the left onto another main paved path with a slight incline in the direction of the Aviary.
Stage 4
When you reach the top of the path, turn left and follow the path straight with the Aviary on your right-hand side and the wonderful views over Wildflower Valley on your left. In the spring and summer months stop and take a close look at the 3D bedding birds situated near the Aviary.
Stage 5
Continue straight on this path, and follow it to the Winter Garden and Tay Bridge. In the Winter Garden you will see an unusual mix of black and bronze colours. Follow the path round as you loop round towards Aviary Glade.
Stage 6
Pass the Aviary on your left, and head down the pathway to the North Front. Take in the spectacle of the Manor before walking down the drive towards it.
Stage 7
Once in front of the Manor, turn left and follow the path round to the Manor shop courtyard and take the path back down to the Stables where you began.
End point
The Stables
Trail map
Oak leaves in September in Florence Court garden, Co Fermanagh | © National Trust Images / John Millar
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Windmill Hill archive on the Waddesdon estate, Buckinghamshire

Trail

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