Ancient English forest that starred in two Disney films has roaming deer and unique attraction reopening next year
THE Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire has been used as a backdrop for several blockbuster films thanks to its ancient woodland.
Managed by The National Trust since 1926, the Ashridge Estate is part of the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The National Trust still uses livestock to help maintain the diverse habitats, with foresters felling timber to keep the woodland healthy.
With its beech and oak woodlands, fields of bluebells in the spring, and roaming fallow deer, the 5,000-acre site has proved a master in conjuring up wonderful settings.
Disney films such as Angelina Jolie‘s Maleficent and the musical fantasy Into the Woods, starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and James Corden, were all shot in the ancient woodland.
Fantasy movies like Stardust and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire were also filmed in the forest.
And if Ashridge Estate is good enough for Hollywood stars and big-name productions, then it is certainly somewhere Brits should visit for a day out.
This National Trust walk gives some of the best of the autumn colours in the less-trodden areas of the beautiful Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire.
The 5,000-acre site is home to over 80 miles of pathways, with navigation website Komoot listing 19 different walks – although there are probably many more.
One of those is the Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail – North, a circular walk through the northern half of the site where ramblers pass through Ivinghoe Beacon and Incombe Hole.
A huge draw for visitors is the deer that roam on the historic estate.
The deer were introduced in the 13th century by Edmund Earl of Cornwall who founded a monastery on the site where Ashridge House now stands.
A deer park was created next to the monastery, with the woodland creatures remaining on the site for hundreds of years.
Nowadays, deer roam freely on the huge site, with three different species on the site, including Fallow deer, Muntjac deer and Red deer.
Ashridge Estate is also known for its bluebells, with the flowering attracting large numbers of visitors each year.
The blooming date for bluebells varies depending on the weather, but they’re usually visible in April and May.
Dockey Wood is the best place to view bluebells in Ashridge Estate, with visitors charged a small entry fee of £3.50 to visit last year.
Bridgewater Monument, which is currently closed for conservation works, is set to reopen in Spring 2025.
Before its closure, 15,000 visitors would climb its 172 steps to the viewing platform every year.
From the viewing platform, visitors can see Wembley Stadium and Canary Wharf on a clear day.
Pitstone Windmill is another top attraction to visit in the woodland.
It’s thought to be one of the oldest post mills in Britain, with visitors able to explore its inside and learn how it works.
Pitstone Windmill is set to reopen in May for the summer season.
There’s also a visitor centre on-site, with a plant shop and a second-hand bookshop, and a cafe on the site.
Ashridge Estate has a 4.5/5 star rating on TripAdvisor from hundreds of reviews.
One person wrote: “The Ashridge Estate covers a large area, and there are plenty of walks to explore.”
“There is some really beautiful scenery to enjoy so have your phone or camera ready to capture what you see”
Another person added: “Stunning gardens and a lovely tea room. There is so much to explore that you would want to spend a day here if the weather is good.”
Ashridge Estate is free to enter, with the ancient forest open throughout the year.
It’s a 90-minute drive from London.
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