Cliveden is set amid 376 acres of magnificent formal National Trust gardens and parklands. Standing upon chalk cliffs that give the estate its name, the house commands panoramic views over the beautiful Berkshire countryside and an idyllic bend in the river Thames.
Owned and managed by the National Trust, the gardens include everything from charming riverside walks to a formal Parterre, and woodland vistas to water gardens, plus a wealth of statuary and topiary. Queen Victoria would frequently take a carriage from nearby Windsor Castle and join the Duchess of Sutherland for tea in the secluded garden of Spring Cottage.
One of the most imposing features is the voluptuous Fountain of Love at the end of the drive. However, perhaps the most dramatic feature of the gardens is the thousand yard long Parterre. Laid out in 1855 by John Fleming, it incorporates wedge shaped beds and a seasonal planting programme that set a precedent for gardens the world over.
Elsewhere in the grounds, perched on the steep slope down to the river, there is an octagonal temple built by Giacomo Leoni in 1735. Other curiosities include the Tortoise Fountain, views of the House from the Duke of Sutherland statue, an ornate dovecote, the Secret Garden, the Chinese water gardens, a pavilion to commemorate the battle of Blenheim, and an amphitheatre where the first recital of “Rule Britannia” was played.
For further information please contact us on 01628 668561 or info@clivedenhouse.co.uk
Cliveden National Trust Estate
