Visiting the garden at Canons Ashby

Looking after the wildlife

At Canons Ashby, planting takes place with nature and wildlife in mind, as well as for visitors. Plants are selected that insects and birds will love, which are grown from seed in the local area so there is less of an impact on the environment.

Homes for the smallest residents

As you explore the garden and grounds, you may find habitat piles or bug hotels in certain places, where leaves, wood and other garden debris have been collected and left in a safe place. This provides protection for creatures like hedgehogs, small mammals and insect life in the cold winter months.

There are also wildlife homes and refuges behind the scenes, which provide places for growing biodiversity and habitats for creatures of all types.

As part of looking after the wildlife, apples and pears are left on the trees or ground. This fruit provides food for lots of creatures in the coldest months, particularly birds like fieldfares or waxwings.

The team regularly check the nest boxes in the garden and parkland. If needed, the boxes are given a clean and prepared for future lodgers. By monitoring which boxes are being used, more information can be discovered about what types of birds are living here.

For families

There's plenty of activities to do and things to explore, to keep the family entertained all year round. With the garden, parkland and paddock, there's plenty of space for your young adventurers to stretch their legs and blow off some steam. Have a chat with the team at visitor reception when you arrive to find out what trails are available.

Summer highlights

We’re all about hot colours this summer with bright scarlet and bronze foliage on the top terrace and peach and bronze on the sundial terrace. The front of the house continues in the same theme, with Cannas, Salvias and Dahlias providing a stunning display.

Summer bedding went in at the beginning of June and will provide a glorious display right up until October.

The vegetable beds will be bursting with produce throughout the summer and the produce (where possible) is used in the tearoom and any excess is put on our honesty bench. Cut flowers will also be grown for use on site, you may see some of these colourful displays in the tea-room as well as some of the home grwon plants being available in the Gift Shop.

You may see the gardening team out and about at work during your visit, so if you have any questions, do stop by for a chat to find out more.

Events coming up to enjoy in the Gardens

Guided visits to Priory Church and medieval Stew Ponds

Fortnightly on Thursdays throughout June, July & September. See here for more information about times and dates. The events is free, but normal admission applies for the property.

Find out more about the medieval history of Canons Ashby with a guided visit to the church, and then to the restored medieval stew ponds: an area not accessible to the public without a guide. An exclusive chance to see this beautiful area.

Purcell and a Picnic, with Eboracum Baroque

Saturday 20 July, 6pm - 7.45pm. Booking in advance required Adults £18, Child (5 - 17) £10. To find out more and book, see here.

Eboracum Baroque are delighted to return to the beautiful gardens of Canons Ashby for a programme of music featuring works by Henry Purcell, using historic musical instruments. The concert will feature works from across the 17th and 18th century including famous arias from Purcell's operas including Dido and Aeneas and King Arthur.

Bat Walk

Saturday 2 & 9 September, 7pm - 8.30pm, adult £13, child £10. Booking required here.

Learn about these fascinating residents of Canons Ashby on an evening walk with our bat experts and volunteers. Enjoy a talk and guided walk around Canons Ashby's grounds on a search for our favourite flying mammals. See what different species you can find and learn more about their habits and habitats with our guests from the Oxfordshire Bat Group.

Harvest Foraging Taster Walks

28 and 29 September, 3.45pm - 4.35pm. £15 per ticket. Booking required here.

Have you ever foraged for delicious wild foods before? Would you like to learn what is in season that can be foraged safely with a little care? This short walk will give you a basic introduction to foraging.

As part of our Harvest events programme, book a short foraging walk with local expert Lizzy to seek hedgerow and woodland edible treats that are full of surprising flavours!

We will be looking for wild fruits, herbs, mushrooms and plants that are all around us and teaching you key identification features/preferred habitats to give a good introduction to foraging for your own wild food journey going forwards.

Autumn garden tour and afternoon tea with the Head Gardener

Wednesday 9 October, 3.15 - 5.30pm, £27 per person. Booking in advance required. Find out more here.

Join an exclusive Autumn tour of Canons Ashby’s beautiful garden led by our Head Gardener, with an autumnal apple and pear tasting from our variety of historic trees.

Learn about the history of the gardens, the plants around you, and the way the team cares for them. Then settle down for a small afternoon tea.

Please note, we have cattle grazing in the wider Parkland, so please be aware when walking through these spaces

Here are some tips to help you stay safe around the livestock you may encounter on the farmland:

Try not to startle livestock
As you’re approaching, whistle or talk to the livestock so they’re aware of your presence. If you then walk past calmly and quietly, the animals are more likely to ignore you.

Cattle may become excitable or frightened by large groups, so try to keep members of your group calm and quiet as you pass.

Don’t panic or run if cattle approach you
Cows can be very inquisitive and may move towards you, but they will usually stop before they reach you. If this happens, be confident and don’t panic. If you run, they may try to follow you.

Think ahead
Don’t allow yourself to become cornered by a group of cattle. They may just be curious, but cows pushing from the back of the herd could cause those in front to panic if they are forced too close to you.

If you find cattle blocking your way, clap your hands loudly as you approach and they should move out of your way. If not, leave the path and go round them.

Take extra care when livestock are with their young
Don’t get between mothers and their young. Most are very protective and can become aggressive. Make sure you give them lots of space.

Leave all gates as you find them
A farmer might have closed a gate to stop their livestock from wandering or left a gate open to let their animals move more freely. Do your bit to help farmers by leaving all gates as you find them.