📍 edge hill
Upton House and Gardens
17th-century mansion near Banbury with an exceptional collection of old master paintings, dramatic terraced gardens and seasonal family activities
✦ We visited
We went in late summer when the herbaceous borders were at their best. The Bruegel paintings stopped the adults in their tracks; the children headed straight to the lawns. Allow more time than you think you need for the garden descent and back.
Upton House sits on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment near Edge Hill, just south of Banbury, and is cared for by the National Trust. The house was largely remodelled in the 1920s and 1930s for the 2nd Viscount Bearsted, who used it to house an exceptional art collection that includes works by Bruegel, Stubbs and Hogarth. The collection is still displayed as it was in Lord Bearsted's time, giving the rooms a quality that is quite different from the usual country house tour.
The gardens are the other reason to visit. The grounds drop away dramatically from the house through a series of terraced borders, eventually reaching a long reflecting pool at the bottom of the valley. There are herbaceous borders, a rose garden and a rare kitchen display garden, all designed by landscape gardener Kitty Lloyd-Jones. The cascading layout means different views open up as you descend, and the whole garden rewards a slow walk at any time of year.
For families, the National Trust runs a seasonal programme of activities including nature crafting, trails and outdoor theatre. The house and gardens are best suited to older children with some curiosity about art or gardens; younger children will enjoy the lawns and open space around the house. The terrace walk involves steps and uneven paths, and some sections may be difficult with a pushchair.
Good for: history, arts, outdoors. Ages: 3–4, 5–7, 8–11, 12+.
Good to know
What is the art collection at Upton House?
Upton House holds an exceptional collection assembled by the 2nd Viscount Bearsted, including works by Bruegel, Stubbs, Hogarth and El Greco. The collection is displayed in the rooms as it was in Lord Bearsted's day, giving the house the feel of a private home rather than a formal gallery.
Are the gardens at Upton House pushchair-friendly?
The upper lawns near the house are flat and manageable with a pushchair, but the terraced gardens involve steps and uneven surfaces that are not easy to navigate with a buggy. The lawn area is good for younger children to run around.
How far is Upton House from Banbury?
Upton House is around seven miles south of Banbury on the A422. The car park is free and on site. There is no regular bus service to the property, so a car is the most practical option for most visitors.