Packwood House
Tudor-style country house in Warwickshire restored by Baron Ash in the early 20th century, with a Yew Garden, parkland and woodland trails.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Packwood House began around 1570 as a timber-framed house built by the Fetherston family, who were yeoman farmers and owned land at Packwood from the 15th century to the mid-19th. In 1904 the industrialist Alfred Ash bought the estate at auction for his 16-year-old son, Graham Baron Ash. For about forty years Baron Ash restored, furnished and decorated the house, turning it into his idea of a perfect Tudor home with salvaged beams, panelling, tapestries and stained glass.
The Great Hall was once a cow barn and was remodelled by Baron Ash, and the rooms are arranged as a Jacobean and Edwardian country house in which he entertained guests. Queen Mary visited in 1927, and the teacup, pen and chair she used are kept in the Drawing Room. The gardens are known for the Yew Garden, with its clipped topiary yews, as well as colourful borders and a kitchen garden.
Baron Ash gave Packwood to the National Trust in 1941. Today the house, garden and surrounding parkland and woodland are open all week, with a cafe, shop and plant sales, and a family trail called the Welly Walk through the estate.
Highlights
- Tudor-style house restored by Baron Ash with Jacobean and Edwardian interiors
- Great Hall, once a cow barn
- 16th-century tapestries and coloured stained glass
- Yew Garden with clipped topiary yews
- Kitchen garden and formal garden
- Welly Walk through parkland with play glades
- Founded
- 1941
- Operated by
- National Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £18 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £9free up to age 4 · Child ticket for ages 5 to 17; children under 5 are free. |
| Groups (15+ people) | £17.10 per personGroups of 15 or more must book in advance; child group price is 8.55 pounds. |
| Families | £452 adults and up to 3 children; a ticket for 1 adult and 2 children costs 27 pounds. |
| 1 adult and 2 children | £27General admission from 1 March. |
| Winter admission from 3 November, adult | £12Winter child price is 6 pounds, family ticket 30 pounds and 1 adult with 2 children 18 pounds. |
Prices are pay-as-you-go admission without Gift Aid; with Gift Aid the standard adult price is 19.80 pounds. National Trust members do not pay admission. Booking is not needed, except for groups of 15 or more. Some events and trails cost extra.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Only the ground floor of the house is accessible, and the grounds are partly accessible, with gravel paths and some small steps and terraces. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at Visitor Reception, and there are one mobility scooter and two all-terrain Tramper vehicles for the parkland. Blue Badge parking spaces are in the main car park. There is an accessible toilet, induction loops in front-facing spaces, large print guides on request and a virtual tour. Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas and buildings. The cafe and shop have level access.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £45 · 2 adults and up to 3 children; a ticket for 1 adult and 2 children costs 27 pounds. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
The Welly Walk through the estate has four play glades where children can build dens, as well as woodland hoopla, stepping logs and log tables for picnics. Trails, storytelling and holiday activities are held through the year. Picnics are welcome on the tennis lawn and at picnic benches by the car park and in the barnyard. Baby changing facilities are in the toilets in the barnyard and the cafe, and the cafe has highchairs, a microwave and a children's menu. Children under 5 are admitted free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Hockley Heath
There are direct trains to Lapworth, Dorridge and Solihull from Birmingham city centre (20 minutes), Stratford-upon-Avon (20 minutes), Leamington Spa (15 minutes) and Warwick (15 minutes); Dorridge also has trains from London Marylebone. Direct buses run to Hockley Heath from Dorridge (5 minutes), Solihull (25 minutes) and Stratford-upon-Avon (35 minutes). Walking routes lead through the estate from Hockley Heath, along the Millennium Way.
By car
Free parking
Free car park, 100 yards from the entrance, with Blue Badge spaces and eight 22.1 kW electric vehicle charging points that can be used during opening hours. Cycle parking is outside Visitor Reception.
- Accessible parking
Packwood is 2 miles east of Hockley Heath on the A3400 and 11 miles south-east of central Birmingham.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Garden Kitchen Cafe is in the new building next to the shop, with indoor and outdoor seating, takeaway food, breakfast on every open day and a children's menu. The shop sells gifts and souvenirs, and there is a plant shop with seasonal blooms. Toilets are in the barnyard and cafe.
Events & venue rental
The estate is available for special occasion photography.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Garden tours run daily at 12:00 and 14:00, depending on volunteer availability. Entry to the house is by timed ticket, issued at half-hourly intervals. Groups and schools must book in advance; group visits are on weekdays except bank holidays, and schools can use the National Trust Educational Group Access Pass. Dogs on leads are welcome in the car park, on public footpaths, on the cafe terrace and in the barnyard, but only assistance dogs may enter the house and gardens. |
