There is so much to see and do at Stoneleigh Abbey!

Stoneleigh Abbey & Country Park | Places to Visit in Coventry

Things to do at Stoneleigh Abbey

There is so much to see and do at Stoneleigh Abbey, the main house is only accessed via guided tours, however feel free to explore the history of the Abbey outside with its extensive grounds and woodlands:

1. As you walk through the 14th Century gate house the main entrance to the Abbey grounds you get your first view of the main house.
2. From here you get a perfect view of the 1720's west wing.
3. Mill Bridge and the old pump house.
4. The beautiful Repton landscape can be seen here as the River Avon runs through the grounds, here manually excavated to give the impression of a lake rather than a river, you can also see our 1851 Orangery home to our tea room.
5. View the summer house a replica of a Samoan hut over looking the 1818 coade fountain.
6. Gazebo island a romantic view and new walk to gazebo island.
7. Cordelia bridge is the newly reinstated bridge that had been lost for many years.
8. Primrose summer grove and pet Cemetery, a place of peaceful reflection for the Leigh family over the years.

General History Tours

Covering the broad history of Stoneleigh Abbey from its beginnings as a Monastic House in 1154 to Modern Day. Tours will be ran with limited spaces on each tour so it is recommended to book your tour before arrival to avoid disappointment.

Guided Tours of the Historic House

You can also now get a glimpse of the house history in the new Vaulted hall Tea room, formally the house staff dining and rest room. With over 900 years of history locked within the very walls of the main house there is so much to learn and discover, so don't miss out on a guided tour if you are visiting us.

Find out more information here.

Jane Austen

Have you ever wondered where Jane Austen got the inspiration for the places and characters in her novels? For 400 years Stoneleigh Abbey was home to Jane’s maternal relatives, the noble Leigh family. In 1806, Jane, with her mother and her sister Cassandra, visited Stoneleigh Abbey in the company of her mother’s cousin, the Reverend Thomas Leigh. During her stay Austen was so inspired by the house, its grounds, and the many family intrigues that she wove descriptions of the interiors, views of the grounds, and cameos of the family into her novels.

Visitors to the house can see the interiors and much of the furniture as it was in Jane’s time, view the famous chapel and woodland walks of Sotherton Court in Mansfield Park, learn where Jane Austen garnered her understanding of the social nuances of her time.

Repton Walk

Featuring spectacular views of the house from across the River Avon, the Repton Walk takes you into the woodland, where bluebells, snowdrops, deer, and many other native species thrive. It was the preference of Repton that the alterations to the estate should enhance natural beauty rather than tame it, you can now experience an idyllic woodland setting unlike the manicured lawns at some other country houses.

Find all the details here, and a map of the walk here.

Admission Fees

Find out about booking and ticket prices here.

Please note, a grounds ticket is required to go on a tour. Stoneleigh Abbey is an independent charitable trust run by a small team of staff and volunteers. All money raised is for the upkeep and preservation of the Abbey.

Accessibility

We welcome disabled visitors to Stoneleigh Abbey. A disabled parking bay is available a short distance from the Ticket Office. Wheelchair users should be aware that the paths at the Abbey are gravel, and that they are permitted to travel over the grassy verges as necessary. A lift is available to all floors of the house that are open for public viewing.

Toilets

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.

Picnics

Please note picnics are not allowed on the grounds.

Dogs

Service 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 is run by the Stoneleigh abbey charitable trust, an independent Charity, who aim to preserve the history of the Abbey for all in the future.