Helpful Information when visiting the Snowdrops Woods at Welford Park

Children – Must be supervised

We welcome children, but it is essential that they are supervised at all times.  We have a deep fast moving river, ponds, and boggy water meadows – all excellent for learning about nature, conservation, and the countryside at large, under adult supervision.

 

Please enjoy it but leave it, as you would want to find it.  Please put you rubbish in the bins provided.

 

Clothing

Obviously at this time of year it can get very cold we would suggest a warm rainproof coat.  As you are visiting natural woodland please wear footwear suitable for walking in woodland, waterproof if it has been wet.

 

Dogs

Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on their leads at all times.  I am sorry that we do not allow dogs inside the tearooms, but we do provide a tent with table and chairs where visitors with dogs are welcome.  You will need to go into the tearooms and place your order and a waitress will bring it out to you.  We also ask that dogs leave nothing behind and you will be offered a little bag at the ticket kiosk on your arrival.  Please put used bags in the bins provided and not in the hedgerows as they do take several months to compost despite what it says on the box!

 

Disabled Access

Parking for Blue Badge holders is available close to the front gate.  There is a ramp at the entrance and exit of the Old Laundry tearooms. You may find it easier to enter via the exit (to avoid any queues), enter by way of the door near the Gift Shop, (signed disabled entrance), there is a ramp and our waitresses will be ready and willing to offer any and all assistance required.  

 

Car Park

This is hard standing unless it has been very wet.  We ask you to park with concern for others and keep to the marked rows leaving gateways and the path down to the entrance unblocked.  Please drive very slowly and be aware of children and dogs.  Car parking is free of charge and cars are parked entirely at the owner’s own risk.  From the car park please follow the clearly marked path across the field and through the gate, straight across the road, please take great care when you cross the road, and through the gate into Welford Park, along to the ticket kiosk where you will be given a map showing all the footpaths and facilities.  N.B. Please do not ever attempt to walk along the road to or from the car park.  Cars drive very fast along this stretch of road for some extraordinary reason and it can be very dangerous.  The Car Park is open at 10:30 a.m. and is locked at 5:30 p.m.

 

The Snowdrop Walk

The full snowdrop walk around the Beech Woods can take a fast walker 30 minutes and at a more sedate pace, enjoying the amazing spread and scent of the flowers, anything up to an hour or so.  There are also paths along the River Lambourn for you to enjoy.  Most paths are suitable for baby buggies especially the three wheeled variety.  There is one section of river path however which we only allow walkers and access is through a kissing gate.  The river bridges in this section should be treated with respect.  They are quite safe if you are responsible crossing them.

 

The Old Laundry Tearoom

The Old Laundry Tearoom is open from 11:00 a.m. serving homemade cakes, scones, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and juices.  Lunches are served between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.  The bacon and sausages have all been farmed here in the Orchard, and we take great trouble to source locally what we cannot provide ourselves.

 

The Gift Shop

The Gift shop stocks a wide range of postcards and greeting cards.  We also have our own range of tea towels and an environmentally friendly cotton carrier bag together with Welford Park pads and pens.  There is also a wide range of gifts from local cottage industries.  All the ingredients for the jams and chutneys are grown here in the Walled Garden, but we do have to buy in the Seville oranges for our famous marmalade!

 

Payment

Please note that as our gardens are only open for 28 day we do NOT have any credit card facilities

 

We very much hope that you enjoy your visit

 

 

www.welfordpark.co.uk

Welford Park, Welford, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 8HU