Visitor Centre
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| © Chris Reynolds - licensed under Creative Commons Licence |
Visitor Centre and Shop
Facilities:
- Toilets – open 10-5pm
- Baby change – open 10-5pm
- Disabled toilet – available 24/7 by radar key
The Discovery Room has interactive hands on games and puzzles and the information boards tell you all about Ashridge. The interactive talking tree is always a hit with visitors. We also have the Seasonal Board to tell you what to look out for whilst visiting.
The National Trust Shop is open everyday until 21st Dec 10am – 5pm (or dusk if earlier)
The shop sells a wide range of products including a large range of local produce and a new plant sales area.
Second Hand books are available when the Visitor Centre is open 40p each or 4 for £1.00.
If you have any good quality second hand books that you no longer want we would be grateful to receive them.
National Trust Membership
If you join the National Trust at Ashridge the money from that membership goes straight towards the conservation of the Estate. Also by joining at Ashridge you get the additional bonus of free membership to the Friends of Ashridge for your first year and all the benefits that go with that!
Become a member of the National Trust and you’ll be free to enjoy all the beautiful places in our care. Discover stunning coastline, walk through unspoilt countryside, explore magnificent country houses and be inspired by incredible gardens.
FREE entry for members
- Visit over 300 beautiful historic houses
- Enjoy over 200 inspirational garden
- Discover over 700 miles of coastline
- Relax in over 240,000 hectares of countryside
- Free parking in over 100 National Trust Car parks.
Great days out have never been such good value.
- Individual £47.50
- Two Adults £79.50
- Family Group £82.00
- Family group one adult £62.00
- Young Person £21.50
(Rates valid until 28th Feb 2010)
Educational Visits
Louise Hansord is the Learning and Interpretation Officer at Ashridge caters for Key stage 1 & 2. The primary programme has been made with reference to the National Curriculum. All education programmes tailor made to your needs.
By becoming an Education Group Member, your school will be entitled to a reduced rate for a year. Membership starts at £32.00. (Prices valid until February 2010).
Prices per child
- £2.85 Education Group Member
- £4.35 Non Education Group Member
(All prices inclusive of VAT.)
The following activities are available:
Science
SC2 Life processes and living things.
- Living things in their environment
Activities – Minibeast hunting, woodland walk and pond dipping.
- Green plants
Activities – Identifying parts of a plant / tree, woodland walk, tree identification, bark/leaf rubbing and working out the age of trees.
SC3 Materials and their properties
- Grouping Materials
Activities – Woodland walk, identifying trees and their uses. Tree quiz, leaf and bark rubbings and working out the age of trees.
Art
- Exploring and developing ideas
Activity – Looking at artist Andy Goldsworthy and his book “wood”. Create colour strips with natural material.
- Investigating and making art, craft and design
Activity – Create an art attack using natural material found within the woodland.
Geography
- Geographical enquiry & skills
Activity – Orientation trail with the plotting of 4 figure grid references and using map reading skills.
Contact us
If you would like to arrange a booking or further information on education visits please contact The Learning and Interpretation Officer Louise Hansord on: 01442 851227.
Volunteer Opportunities
Monument Volunteers
The Bridgewater Monument was built in 1832 in memory of the It was built to commemorate the achievements of Francis Egerton the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, also known as ‘The Father of Inland Navigation’ as he was responsible for the building of canals.
The Monument is open weekends and Bank Holidays March – November 12 – 4pm.
We are looking for volunteers to open the Monument during school holidays and other busy times. It is a valuable source of income to the Estate. The Monument only opens in good weather so you won’t get cold and wet!
If you are interested in getting involved please contact the Visitor Centre on 01442 851227 or pop in and see us.
Raffle Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to sell raffle tickets for us at Ashridge. This may be at our events or from the Visitor Centre on busy days.
Even if you can only offer a few hours here and there it would be appreciated as it is a valuable income for the Estate.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact the Visitor Centre on 01442 851227.
Walks
Ashridge Self Guided Walks Leaflets
We have a full range of walks leaflets available in the National Trust Shop which are available during shop opening hours.
The walks vary in length from 2km to 27km so there is something available for everyone. Two routes are also wheelchair accessible. All the walks leaflets are beautifully illustrated and each contains a map and a detailed description with points of interest to look out for on your way.
Ashridge Walks pack
This contains 9 walks through the Ashridge Estate
The walks are of varying length to choose from for everyone taking you through this beautiful landscaped area rich in wildlife and archaeology.
The pack is available for £3.95
There are also 4 further individual walks available from the shop for 50p each.
Lady’s Walk and Berkhamsted Common – 5.5km (3.5m) walk
Duncombe Terrace Family Walk – 3km (2m) Walk
This route is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. It takes you along a tree lined route with some beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Woodland Trail Family Walk - 2km (1.25m) Walk
This is a circular waymarked route that takes you through areas of wildlife rich woodlands.
Meadley’s Meadow Family Walk – 1.25km (0.75m) Walk
This is a self guided walk especially designed for families. During spring this walk takes you past beautiful bluebell woods on a flat surfaced track suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Also Available from the Visitor Centre:
Ashridge Cycle Leaflet – is currently available free of charge from the Visitor Centre (please note that this is subject to change). It provides a range of routes from shorter routes suitable for families to longer more difficult routes for more experienced cyclists.
This map is also available to download from the Activities section of the Friends of Ashridge Website.
Ashridge Eye Spy – 30p each available from the Visitor Centre. This is a great activity for children to take out with you on your walks to see if you can spot the signs of the seasons. They are seasonal and there are three available: Spring, summer and autumn.
Trail Crackers - £1 per trail. Can you crack the code, plot your route and guide yourself through the woods today.