“you won’t find wifi in the forest but I promise you’ll find a better connection”

more than just a bed for the night….

Ashton Estate is a remarkable private enclave in the heart of the English countryside. Below you can find an abundance of activities to do on the Estate. Please note children under the age of 16 must be under adult supervision at all times which includes without limitation ALL activities on the Estate.

woodland walk

We have created a beautiful meandering woodland walk (see map in the welcome book) which also includes the following:

1. A designated “DIY DEN” area complete with everything you need to build your own DEN. Add on to existing dens or take them apart to create your own.
2. Coming soon….“Bug Hotel” – how many creepy crawlies can you spot!
3. For believers only……can you find the SECRET FAIRY GARDEN? Remember look, don’t touch.
4. THE GRATITUDE TREE – what are you thankful for? Wooden discs can be found at the Estate Office.
5. Mini playhouses – let your imagination run free
6. G&G Garden – Gnomes & Gonks – coming soon!

If you take any photos that you don’t mind us sharing under our “Visitors Photos” please email them to us or you can Whatsapp them to 07831855206

themed shepherd huts

• Little Artist Studio – complete with watercolours / water /brushes / paper and crayons. (Children under adult supervision)
• Nature Hut – complete with British wildlife reference books / binoculars and seating – relax and see what passes by. This area is known for badgers, foxes and deer.
• Literary Hut –Space to relax and write your first novel – comfy armchair / desk and inspiration
• Yoga & Meditation Hut – complete with mats & pouffes….relax and breathe.
• Bird Watch Hut  – for all the bird lovers, British bird reference books, binoculars and chairs

Now for the boring bits:

1. Visitors must not enter the woodland areas during adverse weather conditions eg. strong winds, heavy rains or storms.
2. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
3. Visitors must not smoke in the area and campfires must not be lit.
4. Careful consideration should always be taken on this uneven terrain and all woodland propose hazards and you will not be monitored.

fairy garden

Our Ashton Fairies have been hard at work building their home in Ashton Wold. Try and spot the different animals they have as friends. Please do not enter the circle and no touching…during the day the fairies are usually sleeping!

cricket field

This large grassed area is the perfect place for group games – rounders, cricket etc. There is a Shepherds Hut on site filled with balls, bats, croquet, table tennis, swing ball and lots more. With prior agreement groups have also used this area for hired inflatable assault courses, hired inflatable bouncy castles and lots more.

The Cricket Field also enjoys the most spectacular sunsets so pack up a picnic and enjoy. Benches located on the field. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

mini golf

Located in the far corner of the Cricket Field is a nine hole mini golf course for guests to enjoy. On arrival please request the code for the box that holds the clubs and balls – please sign in and out for the equipment. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Cricket Field also enjoys the most spectacular sunsets so pack up a picnic and enjoy. There are benches located on the field. 

The Charles Rothschild Walled Garden

The Walled Garden is a secluded area of considerable natural beauty, soon available for the pleasure of holidaymakers: this is an aesthetic experience rather than a “real estate” experience. Later this year we will have installed a giant chess set, french boules and lots of sculptures so the garden will be changing all the time.

The Walled Garden is considered to be of heritage importance and enjoys Grade II listed status.  In the heyday of the Rothschild family, the area would have been full of exquisite cultivated plants and vegetables, grown for the delectation of the Hon Charles Rothschild, his family and friends, and his staff.  The present concept is a wildflower garden replete with fruit trees. An indication of time passing is that the nearby Bothy used to have circa 15 gardeners – now soon to be the Miriam Manor Hotel!  The somewhat magnificent residence of the Head Gardener is now an holiday residence “Greenwood Manor”.

The Walled Garden was designed as a suntrap and as an horticultural microclimate- the Southern Wall is flanked externally by a picturesque row of potting sheds – also Grade II listed.  These delightful little structures will soon fulfil a diverse array of touristic attractions. The potting sheds retain their original layout, examples of the painstaking work required of the 19^th Century gardens – one now exists for tourists.

Everything about the Walled Garden bears the hallmark of the aesthetic sentiments and wealth of one of England’s richest and most accomplished men, the Hon Charles Rothschild, scientist, horticulturist, banker and flea enthusiast! Please read about Xenopsylla cheopis Rothschild, the plague flea, named after the Hon Charles Rothschild!.

No unaccompanied children are permitted in the Walled Gardens. Dogs of the permitted variety under the control of an adult, (preferably the owner) are permitted.

the green room – for the grownups!

There are lots of areas on the Estate equipped for children so we decided we needed a relaxing, chill-out area for the grown-ups! The Green Room is located within the main house, Ashton Wold House boasts a beautiful antique full size snooker table and many other games including chess, scrabble, backgammon, pool, bar skittles, cribbage and more.  Visitors are welcome to use the Green Room free of charge between the hours of 10am and 6pm every Friday, Saturday or Sunday unless under private hire. If you are here midweek please call us if you would like the room opened to use during the day. To reiterate, the games room is for adults only – 19 years of age and above.

Private Hire available between 9am and 11pm: Price £40 per hour (minimum of 3 hours) and £15 for any extra hour. For example: Hire for 5 hours would be £150. The room has a fridge and a freezer, cups, plates, bowls for snacks, crisps etc. Contact us if you wish to book this space for your own use. This room is monitored by CCTV. Please see our T&C’s for Hire for further information.

….and now for some excessive Rothschild eulogizing

The Green Room is reminiscent of the Rothschild era, and the full-size table is the very one used by the Hon Charles, the Hon Victor and the Hon Miriam – the latter two excellent snooker players.  Indeed the Rothschild family had devised their own game called “slosh”, a combination of billiards and snooker.  The present owner, “Dr Charles” enjoyed watching his mother Miriam play.  Miriam excelled at sports, playing squash and (ladies) cricket to an international standard, and (allegedly) playing in the doubles at Wimbledon.  Victor also excelled at sports, playing First Class Cricket (for Northamptonshire), and also excelling at squash and golf.

Our (a pale shadow of his sporting forebears) proprietor claims to be an accomplished skier, and stylish (veteran!) tennis player – but like most sport aficionados, is someone who has morphed into a weird tennis player – enjoying the title of “Dr Volley” (by virtue of very poor volleying), “the slice master” (by virtue of his affection for Real Tennis) and “professor spin” by virtue of the substitution of deviousness for stealth.