Filming at Ascott Estate
For information about using Ascott Estate as a filming location please email
History of the House
Originally a farm house built in 1606, Ascott House was given to Leopold de Rothschild in 1874 by his uncle Baron Mayer Amschel de Rothschild. Baron Mayer owned the property as part of his Mentmore estate.
Architect George Devey pioneer of Old English vernacular revival enlarged farmhouse from 1874, to form Ascott Cottage, but soon expanded to form a large hunting lodge with extensive stables, kennels and other outbuildings.
The Gardens
One of the best gardens to visit in Bedfordshire that are unique and photogenic.
An iconic piece of the Gardens is Ascott’s vast Topiary Sundial. This huge evergreen timepiece is made from neatly trimmed hedges of box and yew. Its Roman numerals are framed by a fitting motto: “light & shade by turn but love always”.
The gardens encompass a 100-yard Madeira Walk beside borders of delphiniums and old roses. In spring you can wander among apparently endless sweeps of glorious daffodils. In summer watch carp glide in the Lily Pond while bright blue dragon flies buzz by.
The Collection
Ascott house is home to a wonderful collection of precious artefacts. In 1879, Leopold inherited part of his father’s (Baron Lionel) collection of Dutch and Flemish 17th C art and French 18th C furniture. Leopold and Marie and then their youngest son Anthony and Yvonne continued this collecting habit, adding important art by Stubbs, Turner, de Cuyp and Gainsborough; whilst also acquiring the highest quality Chinese porcelain in the 1920s and 1930s.
