Newstead Abbey
This is a beautiful historic house set in more than 300 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland.
The main entrance gate can be found approximately seven miles to the North on the A60 Nottingham to Mansfield Road, and is well signposted
Admission prices range from as little as £3 for a day visit to the gardens, and with season tickets starting at £30 for two (seniors)
A full list of prices is displayed on the Newstead Abbeys own web site
Dogs are allowed in the Grounds, providing they are kept on a lead
An ideal day out for all the family - and an approximate 15 minute journey by car!
Allow a minimum 4 or 5 hours for full tour of house, gardens - and a picnic on a summers' day
Newstead Abbey
Best known as the former home of the poet Lord Byron, the abbey was originally an Augustinian priory founded by Henry II in about 1170. A small religious community existed there until Henry VIII dissolved the monastery in 1539, before granting it to the poet's ancestor, Sir John Byron, who converted the priory into a house for his family.
The Abbey remained a private country house until 1931, when it was then presented to the Nottingham City Corporation for the public to enjoy (though it is located in the county and not the city). Nottingham City Council are now responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of Newstead
The Abbey Gardens
These date mainly from the 19th century, and include the Fern Garden, Rockery, Sub-Topical Garden, Spanish Garden and Japanese Garden.
There is a spectacular herbaceous border in the Great Garden, created in about 1870. This 720-foot long border now provides a brilliant display throughout the summer months.
Peacocks roam freely around the gardens
The Abbey buildings
English Heritage placed the West Front on its Buildings at Risk register in 1998,
indicating the level of concern over this scheduled monument.
A programme of conservation
and repair work is urgently required to ensure that the West Front (dating from 1274)
remains a Nottinghamshire landmark for generations to come
This wall, with its exquisite carvings of birds, animals and foliage, crowned by a statue of the Virgin, is suffering from the effects of weather and pollution, which continue to cause considerable, and cumulative, damage. There is an urgent need of funds for this conservation and money from ticket sales will assist in this work. So why not pay a visit?
The Japanese Garden , with its authentic stone ornaments is recognised as one of the finest examples of this type of garden in Britain
The Rose Garden was first set out in 1965 on the site of a Victorian kitchen garden. This peaceful walled garden has recently been restored
The landscape owes much of its beauty to the River Leen, which feeds the lakes, ponds and cascades in the ornamental gardens.
Some of these water features are believed to have medieval origins as Monastic Stew Ponds, in which fish were bred for food.
One of these is the Eagle Pond, lying at the centre of the Great Garden
Byron's well known monument to his favourite dog, Boatswain, who died of rabies in 1808, can be found near the Eagle Pond
This monument stands on the spot which Byron believed to have been occupied by the High Altar of the priory church
Full details, including opening times, and much more comprehensive information can be found at the Abbeys own web site
Go to Newstead Abbey site
