Chastleton

Chastleton near Moreton-in-Marsh
Oxfordshire
GL56 0SU

Visit website

About Chastleton

A rare gem of a Jacobean country house, Chastleton House was built between 1607 and 1612 by Walter Jones, a prosperous wool merchant, as an impressive statement of his wealth and power.

It was owned by the same family for nearly 400 years, from the early days of the lavish house in the 17th century until the family became increasingly impoverished. Unable to update it as fashion changed, the house remained a Jacobean time capsule.

For the garden, this meant that instead of being swept away in the Capability Brown era, Chastleton retained its original layout. It is arranged in a cross shape around the house. The South Court is a calm space framing the façade of the house.

To the north are the games’ lawns – originally bowls, then tennis, now croquet, once again. The East of the house has the best light, and this is where the most used and most public rooms of the house are located. These overlook the Best Garden.

After the National Trust acquired Chastleton in 1991, a conservation garden plan was drawn up that reflected the Trust’s approach to the house, which was not to fully restore it to its shiny heyday but to retain and preserve its faded and romantic air of decline.

With virtually no intrusion from the 21st century, this fascinating place exudes an informal and timeless atmosphere in a gloriously unspoilt setting. There isn’t a shop or tea room, so you can truly imagine you have stepped back in time.

The garden at Chastleton provides an intimate setting for the house, with views from the windows over the topiary, Kitchen Garden and Wilderness. Explore this series of discrete spaces, where you’ll find newly planted flower beds, an abundance of produce and neat croquet lawns.

Entry fees

Free entry to National Trust members.

Prices:
Adult – £12.00 (£13.20 with gift aid)
Child – £6.00 (£6.60 with gift aid)
Family – £30.00 (£33.00 with gift aid)

Opening hours

The last entry to the house is at 4.00pm to allow sufficient time to enjoy your visit.

Good to know

Dogs are welcome on leads in the car park, parkland, forecourt and stable yard (assistance dogs only in the garden).

Accessibility

Accessible parking is available closer to the house. However, please go to the visitor reception first to get your ticket.
There is no step-free access to the house.
The house has one wheelchair for ground-floor use only.
Accessible toilets are available near the house and in Visitor Reception.
Braille guides are available.
Induction Loop is in visitor reception.
There are baby-changing facilities.
Guide dogs only are welcome in the house and garden.