Newark Park

Newark Park

Newark Park
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Newark Park stands proud on top of the Cotswold escarpment, looking down into the Ozleworth valley to the Mendips beyond. This remote corner of south Gloucestershire is a secret and unspoilt place, with barely a sign of modern life visible in any direction. A place of architectural intrigue, quaint gardens and sprawling parkland there is much to see and do at Newark.Founded by an influential English courtier to Henry VIII in 1550; the house and estate since went from boom to bust, to its dramatic rescue by a Texan architect in the 20th century. Newark has an incredible story to tell.
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  • Philip A
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must Go Back Again Soon
    First sunny day in March and we got an email from NT suggesting three local places to visit. We'd never heard of Newark Park even though we live only half an hour away so we popped our walking boots in the boot and off we went. Wonderful welcome from Steph set everything off on the right foot. A delicious curried cauliflower pastie for a lihgt lunch and off on the shortest of the three walks. (Its been a long time since we had our boots on). Well marked route through woodland with lovely unspoilt views. The ground had drained well but was still very muddy in places due to melting snows. The paths were very well maintined. Our boots were so muddy we didn't think it fair to go into the house, although fixed brushes and blue plastic bags were available. Will definitely come back again soon to reconoitre the children's play areas. Potentially a great place to meet up with the kids and grandchildren.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 March 2024
  • Sam3314
    Derby, United Kingdom2,145 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great views
    This is a National Trust house and garden. Do not follow the sat nav directions as these take you up a very steep single track road. Follow the brown signs and then the white signs to get you in. Take care when you enter the park itself as the road is two way but narrow, there are some parking places. Once in the views over the Mendips are fantastic and the gardens are small but attractive. Good children's adventure play area, a nice summerhouse and folly. There's a lake with ducks and good estate walks of three different lengths. Even after the rain the orange and pink paths were manageable in ordinary shows though some of the paths in the garden were very slippery. Nice woodland walks. The coffee pavilion consisted of a marquee and outdoor benches with glorious views. We didn't go round the house as we ran out of time.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 1 April 2024
  • richardpaul46
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An excellent day out
    We all had an excellent visit. The house over 4 floors is filled with fascinating items & furnishings from the 1500s onwards. The cafe outside is well-organised and we all had a great lunch, before an enjoyable woodland walk along one of the well-marked trails, and through the gardens. The staff here are all superb. In the ticket office, the house, the cafe, the gardens, and the woods, they are all helpful and friendly, and a pleasure to talk to about the Park and what they do. Great day out : wonderful staff : thank you !
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 17 July 2024
  • Milesandmiles1
    Wiltshire, United Kingdom423 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Follow the purple route signs carefully
    This is one of our favourite places and is fairly local to us. Lovely sunny day in July and the gardens top and down by the lake absolutely stunning. We hadn’t been for a while so set off on the purple route which is our favourite. Did not realise the route has changed ! So beware anyone who hasn’t walked that route for a while. You now access the fields right down the bottom . There are arrows but we didn’t realise the entrance a bit higher up has totally gone now ! At least there is no steep slope down now ! Lovel cup of tea and sandwich back at the house in the gardens . Reasonably priced. Lovely few hours
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 July 2024
  • Paul W
    Berkeley, United Kingdom259 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great day out
    Newark Park celebrates 75 years in the ownership of the National Trust (NT). This old hunting lodge is a fascinating and hidden gem. As with all NT properties they serve a good coffee and Hot Chocolate with the marsh mellows and cream for the grandsons. Lots of great areas here for children to explore.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 4 August 2024
  • Matt N
    Olton, United Kingdom197 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Near, but far.
    This is a property where all the components are very good, but don't quite bind together enough to form a whole of excellence. The house is fine enough. But for all the flamboyance and love poured into its eaves and foundations by the last tenants, it is still oddly stark and bare in places ,and lacks the narrative required to make it sparkle and bring its history and stories vividly to life. You learn a fair whack, but I don't think quite enough. The gardens are large and full of verdant forks and pathways for you to follow through the nature and landscape. Again, this is a good but not spectacular. The panoramic views over and through the spines of Gloucestershire and Somerset, visible from both house and garden are divine though, and are the icing on this particular cake. It's all very good here. But you feel something even better is tantalising and frustratingly just out of reach; close enough to see but too far to really get to.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 13 August 2024
  • Andy B
    Sunderland, United Kingdom8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting and different
    Visited 26th Sept. From the initial reception, then the refreshment hut and house tour everyone made an effort to ensure we got the most from our visit. The views across the countryside are superb. For the basement tour (at half past the hour) we collected free tickets at the house entrance. Ours was 12.30. Our guide was so interesting with her knowledge, enthusiasm, personal memories of the house, humour, energy and engagement. The volunteer on the top floor also shared really engaging information and experience. The house has so much history with tenants having lived there into recent years. It is memorable for the mark they made to make this their home together with the care to preserve the fabric of the house. I will remember this so much more than the grand houses that blur with the usual gilt heavy rooms. A lovely relaxing and enjoyable visit.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 October 2024
  • Janet H
    Worcester, United Kingdom610 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning views
    Really enjoyed the visit to the house and the grounds. Great estate walks to do with the dogs providing excellent views of the house and the area surrounding. Outside seating mainly at refreshment building A lot of history in the house and its various extensions over time. Dogs allowed in Park but not in house.
    Visited October 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 12 October 2024
  • Marcus G
    Stroud, United Kingdom341 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Warm welcome from NT volunteers and staff
    This is a wonderful "mid rank" NT property set aside from others by the warmth of the staff and volunteers. They are friendly. The walks are clearly labelled and it's a good day out. The small cafe is fine on a summers day, but less ideal in the rain. The house includes a small bookshop. The walks may be challenging for some with mobility issues but the walk from the car park to the house is basically flat.
    Visited October 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 4 November 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles470 reviews
Excellent
225
Very good
184
Average
37
Poor
15
Terrible
9

Holly192003
Wiltshire, UK1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
We really enjoyed our visit, it was our first time at Newark Park and all the volunteers and guides we met were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. We were lucky with the weather also and enjoyed walking through the grounds, it was especially peaceful sitting by the lake and lovely to see one of the peacocks. We will definitely be back.
Written 19 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Derek H
Rempstone, UK391 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
We visited en route to the Midlands after a holiday in Cornwall. After a picnic in the car park we went into the house. Fortunately for those arriving from a distance the toilets are on the car park. There’s then a short walk to the house. It’s well worth taking advantage of the short talk offered by staff / volunteers about the changes in the shape of the building over its life. There is a scale model which they can take apart and gradually then put back together and which explains in detail which bits were built when - and why. The detail would otherwise not be evident. There’s lots to see in the property, especially on the upper floor. Volunteers are only too happy to provide more detail about the history and contents.
Written 3 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TiredBear
Wiltshire, UK8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Family
We visited with our 18 month old who loved exploring the house and grounds. The house itself is quite small and a bit weird inside with finding modern en suites in some of the bedrooms! There were a couple of guides at the entrance in the house but they were talking to each other and not the guests.

The cafe is basic - just a wooden kiosk selling hot drinks and ready made cakes and a tent to eat them in. A proper cafe would make such a difference.

The grounds are extensive - and steep! We just walked down to the bottom but the play park was sadly closed due to being re-painted so our baby just ran around manically instead.

Now the strange thing about our visit is that I have the strong feeling something attached itself to us and came home with us. I have read about the history of ghosts at Newark Park and it appears to be extremely haunted! Our child normally sleeps for 12 hours unbroken but after our visit she just refused to sleep, screaming despite being tired out from her busy day running around in the fresh air. Pointing at something that we couldn’t see and becoming hysterical. I couldn’t sleep because something was pulling at me all night in bed. Very strange!

So visit if you dare!
Written 23 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ruth S
22 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2025 • Solo
A disappointing visit, sadly. I had a dog with me, so I couldn't view the house, but was still charged full price admission. It was very much overpriced and to have to pay for parking as well made it over £16.

The pink and purple routes were closed, only the orange route was open, which meant a 1.5 mile walk which was over very quickly.

A pheasant shoot was going on in the valley below, which was very loud, distressing and constantly intrusive to the whole visit.

Everywhere looked very run down.

On the plus side the staff were absolutely delightful...well done!!! Despite having problems with the till, the man in the coffee shop was so friendly and the lady at the gate was simply outstanding in her helpfulness.

The snowdrops and winter aconites were splendid and the peacocks 🦚 made a lovely addition.

Would I visit again? If there was a reduced price just for the grounds, maybe, but it would have to be when all the paths were open. £16 for a 1.5 mile walk is just ridiculous.
Written 1 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

david m
Bristol, UK10 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 • Couples
£25 for two adults (Inc parking) was surprisingly expensive for what was on offer. Only one path/route available, house closed, coffee in a sadly tired marquee that's been insensitivity placed on lawn next to the house. Better, less expensive options for a 30 minute stroll locally.
Written 26 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David n
Manchester, UK4,821 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
Acres and acres of semi-untamed areas to wander around. Recent storms have damaged some walls and ash die-back has caused tree loss. The house was very interesting though as one guide said "has no single intrinsic valuables".

Also worth a mention was the fact that the staff were all so friendly & informative.
Written 6 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joe C
Trowbridge, UK65 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Family
The car park wasn't far from the house and when we went inside we were free to roam from room to room without barriers and ropes to keep us away from the furniture and decor, which felt nice and much more intimate than a lot of other National Trust houses. There were volunteers offering information should you wish to learn more. There were lots of activities inside for children like puzzles and dressing up. Outside there was a well-kept lawn with lawn games like boules and a tea pavilion with undercover seating if it had been raining. However it was a lovely day and we had no problem getting a nice table outdoors. Some of the seating overlooked the wonderful views over the valley where there were also easels set up for people who may have wanted to do drawings of the views. Down the hill from the house there is a lake and a folly. We didn't go all the way down to the lake because it appeared that it was overgrown. There are also 3 walking routes that you can take around the estate.
Written 27 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mrs Bear
Poole, UK1,311 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Whilst on holiday in the area we visited this National Trust property. It is best not to trust the sat nav and follow the brown signs which will get you there more easily.

On arrival parking is in a field and free to National Trust members but you still need to use your membership card to get a ticket from the machine.

Toilets are a temporary type structure by the entrance and seem to be the only toilets on site.

The house is lovely and very interesting.

The gardens are well tended and there are some good walks through the woods but you need walking boots and it is steep in places and can be muddy and slippery.

They are working in the woods currently and there are tractors operating so you need to be careful.

The cafe is inadequate. Coffee was fine but when we went back for sandwiches instead of these being served in the usual packaging the girl serving put them on a paper plate. We were not ready to eat so asked if the sandwiches could be wrapped in cling film and at that point she rolled her eyes at us. Clearly that was far too much trouble. We were quite annoyed at the attitude and it could not have been that big an ask.

Overall a nice visit but spoilt by the attitude of the girl in the cafe.
Written 28 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bryan P
Rugby, UK1,055 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Friends
On the way back from South Wales we were looking for a national trust property to visit & this fitted the bill. There can be a lot of very small country lanes to navigate to get there so make sure you plan your route & don’t just rely on your satnav. On arrival there seems to be plenty of parking but you have to get a ticket (free for national trust members) there are also toilet facilities by the car park along with a small shop you are then met & your cards scanned & explained where things are on the estate. We then made our way towards the house & decided to have a hot drink prior to entering the house which was setup in a pavilion on the grass with a selection of tables to sit at.
On entering the house we were then asked nicely to go back outside so the guide could explain a bit about the history of the building which was for hunting more than living in originally, Which was very interesting. There were a selection of rooms & exhibits to look at but far the best thing was the amazing view from the rooms you could see for miles. There were a few more rooms to look at upstairs also.
This house is worthwhile visiting however I don’t think I would make a specific visit if I lived a distance away from it.
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GAYNORENGLAND
Oxfordshire, UK68 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Couples
We visited mainly to see the snowdrops, which were in full bloom. Started with Coffee and Sausage Roll from
out door Cafe with seating in Marquee, it was a beautiful sunny winters day with beautiful views all was excellent.
We then visited the house with was originally a Hunting Lodge and had been remodelled and extended by its owners over the years - being met at the door by the resident peacock, Percy! There is a Penny and family which we did not see!!
The Volunteers were lovely and so informative and the views from the sunny south facing windows were amazing.
We then went for a walk of the grounds taking the pink route, which is about 2.17 miles. The views of snowdrops were good plus a few other early flowering plants. The paths are lined with bark to walk on so not muddy. Very up and down, just don’t forget you have to walk back up! The other two routes were closed due to tree felling and maintenance.
This Lodge is so well worth a visit very different and quirky inside and out - enjoy I am sure you will.
Written 7 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NEWARK PARK (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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