Stoneleigh Abbey
A magnificent stately home built on the remains of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey. Visited by King Charles I, Queen Victoria, and Jane Austen
Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LF
There are three disabled parking bays available a short distance from the Ticket Office in our lower car park.
Please be aware that there are steps leading down into the Ticket Office with a hand support rail. The side gate can be opened if necessary.
A route without steps is available to the House and to the Orangery Tea Room. The distance from the Ticket Office to the Orangery is roughly 200 yards.
There are disabled toilets and baby change facilities available in the West Wing. The Orangery and visitor toilets at the entrance next to the ticket office both have disabled toilets.
A lift is available to all floors of the house that are open for public viewing.
There is a good colour contrast between the floor and walls for those with visual impairment.
Assistance dogs are welcome, provided that they are wearing the appropriate coat, lead, or harness. No other dogs are permitted in the house or grounds.
Stoneleigh Abbey was founded by the Cistercians in 1154, but very little trace remains of the original Abbey buildings except for the 14th-century gatehouse. As one of the seats of the Leigh family, Stoneleigh Abbey played host to several people of note, including King Charles I, Queen Victoria, and novelist Jane Austen.
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the estate was acquired by Sir Thomas Leigh, Lord Mayor of London in 1558. And a house was built on the site of the monastic buildings. It was the home of the Leigh family from 1561 to 1990.
Between 1714 and 1726, a new palatial four-storey fifteen-bay west wing was built to designs by architect, Francis Smith of Warwick, and provides an impressive range of state apartments.
After many tragic events including a fire in 1960, the house was left in a run-down state, that could no longer be looked after by the Leigh family so was sold to a preservation charitable trust. But when this also failed, the Abbey was saved by a new independent charitable Trust set up by Chairman Mr Tony Bird OBE, a local businessman with the vision, knowledge and enthusiasm to bring Stoneleigh Abbey back to life.
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
Grounds are open from 10am – 5pm (Sunday to Thursday)
Tea Rooms open from 11am – 4pm (Sunday to Thursday)
The last admission to the grounds of Stoneleigh Abbey is 4pm
The house is open by guided tour only.
Tour times are 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Historic Houses members visit for free.
If you arrive on the day to our ticket office with your membership cards we will be able to book you onto a tour and give you access to the grounds free of charge.
Ticket prices for non-members:
Adult Grounds Entry £7
Adult Grounds and Tour £15
Child Grounds Entry £1.50
Child Grounds and Tour £5
Under 4’s Free
Grounds entry plus the guided tour
(The house can only be visited by taking the guided tour.)
- Adults: £16
- Children ages 4-16: £6
- Children under 4: free
Season tickets
- One adult: £30.00
- Two adults: £40.00
- Family pass including up to two adults and two children: £45.00
Contact
There are three disabled parking bays available a short distance from the Ticket Office in our lower car park.
Please be aware that there are steps leading down into the Ticket Office with a hand support rail. The side gate can be opened if necessary.
A route without steps is available to the House and to the Orangery Tea Room. The distance from the Ticket Office to the Orangery is roughly 200 yards.
There are disabled toilets and baby change facilities available in the West Wing. The Orangery and visitor toilets at the entrance next to the ticket office both have disabled toilets.
A lift is available to all floors of the house that are open for public viewing.
There is a good colour contrast between the floor and walls for those with visual impairment.
Assistance dogs are welcome, provided that they are wearing the appropriate coat, lead, or harness. No other dogs are permitted in the house or grounds.