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The
mansion house - once the home of the Smyth family - has a
visitor centre where you can find out about its history and
a cafe to relax and digest all that information.
Just
what you need before you enjoy just some of the 850 acres
of woods and grasslands, originally designed by Humphry Repton,
who also created Blaise Castle Estate.
The grounds are a nationally important site for wildlife and
have a diverse collection of habitats.
Red deer and fallow deer can be seen and have been a fixture
since the 1300s.
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| There
are 850 acres of woods and grassland to enjoy |
There
is a range of different woodlands including the
Doomsday Oak, which is just one of the many ancient oak trees.
The
Rownham Plantation is particularly worth a visit in spring
when there is usually a spectacular carpet of bluebells.
There are 10 different woodland areas with their own distinctive
collection of fauna and flora.
For those who don't want to walk far, the Summerhouse Plantation
is close to the mansion and is full of interesting plants
and archaeology.
Sport
There is a great choice of outdoor pursuits and also
lots of quiet spots to relax with the family and just play
ball games.
For
the more adventurous, there are horse riding and mountain
bike trails.
The Avon Cycle Way runs from Long Ashton through the estate
to Clifton Lodge.
Orienteering
is very popular with dedicated trails to follow and there
is an orienteering map available from the golf kiosk.
There are also two 18-hole pitch-and-put golf courses with
spectacular views across the city, telephone 0117 973 8508
for information.
A
miniature railway runs fortnightly from spring to autumn,
telephone 0117 963 9174 for a timetable.
Lottery
money
The
granting of £4.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund will
mean big improvements for the estate and a three-year project
of restoration should be under way by the end of 2004.
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| More
than 100 balloons were launched in 2003 |
The
council plans to restore the mansion gardens and several listed
buildings and landmarks.
It hopes the overall effect will be improved views of the
grounds and mansion, closer to how they originally looked
in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
A new golf pavilion, public toilets, improved visitor centre
and better disabled access are also planned.
Events
Ashton Court Estate hosts many activities throughout the
year.
In July the extremely popular Ashton Court festival has
live music and arts and lots of activities for children.
Meanwhile, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
takes place in August and is enjoyed by thousands.
Highlights include the night glows, a chance to see the balloon
pilots fire up their balloons to music, finished off by an
impressive firework display.
>> Find out more
about the fiesta
In
September the International
Kite Festival arrives for two days of spectacular kites
flown by invited guests from around the world.
Location
Ashton Court Estate is situated two miles from Bristol city
centre, just across the Clifton Suspension Bridge if you are
heading out of the city.
The main entrances are off the A369 Portishead Road and opening
times are from 8am - dusk.
Admission is free (excluding some events).
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