Ascott Gardens
One of the most beautiful and peaceful National Trust gardens in Leighton Buzzard, Ascott Gardens seamlessly blends formal and natural landscaping with spectacular showpieces. Decades of development and refinement, instigated by the Rothschilds, have created a series of unique green spaces, steeped in history.
Covering over 30 acres, discover contemporary grand designs, wild walkways, infinity pools and diverse planting schemes, providing interest throughout the seasons.
A ticket to the Gardens grants you entry to the Pavilion Tea Room.
Stunning Set Pieces
Initiated by Leopold de Rothschild in the 1880s, the Topiary Sundial is one of the historic Garden’s standout features. Comprised of neatly manicured box and yew hedges, the Roman numerals are framed by the motto ‘Light and shade by turn, but love always’.
The beautiful Jubilee Plantation was established to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
The gardens hold several impressive sculptural fountains, designed by Thomas Waldo Story. Discover the Venus Fountain, the Dutch Garden Fountain and the Fountain of Love.
Restful, Natural Spaces
Ascott Gardens combines modern design, natural planting and formal landscaping. Visitors can walk along the delphinium- and rose-lined 100-yard Madeira Walk.
They can also see the Lynn Garden - commissioned by Sir Evelyn de Rothschild in 2000 to mark his marriage to Lynn Forester - with its landscaped circles and infinity pools.
Visitors can also explore Richard Long's slate-lined Ascott Circle, which was originally designed for a G8 summit at Gleneagles but not realised, and later recommissioned by Sir Evelyn and Lady de Rothschild in 2005.
Hedgerows & Woodlands
There are over 78 kilometres of established hedgerows across the Ascott Estate. The Estate strives to maintain and improve these areas as suitable habitats for nesting birds and other wildlife. Hedges are cut on a two-year rotation basis, outside the bird-nesting periods.
Ascott Estate is home to over 290 acres of mature woodland, including oak, ash, beech, horse chestnut and sycamore, underplanted with snowberry, laurel and bracken. New plantations include larch and silver birch.
What’s in Bloom
From vibrant spring tulips to sweet summer roses, expect plenty of seasonal splendour at Ascott Gardens.
In spring, the gardens burst into life with carpets of rainbow-coloured tulips and daffodils and sweetly-scented blossoms. Summer brings wild roses, alliums and campanulas to Madeira Walk, blooming waterlilies on the Lily Pond and a riot of colour across the grounds. Oaks, cedars, horse chestnuts and the 350-year-old copper beech provide a blaze of autumnal colour, ensuring a treat for your senses whenever you visit.
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