The estate was the site of the 1963 Profumo affair, a political scandal that contributed to the fall of the Macmillan government.
The 17th-century 'Fountain of Love' at the heart of the Parterre was created by sculptor Thomas Waldo Story.
The site includes a private, man-made canal designed to reflect the architectural proportions of the original mansion.
The woodlands contain 'Cliveden Deep,' a series of steep slopes that provide a unique microclimate for various rare botanical species.
The estate once served as a hospital for Canadian soldiers during the First and Second World Wars.
The current mansion is the third building on the site, reconstructed after fires destroyed its predecessors.
The Parterre, a four-acre formal garden, is maintained to match the original 1858 design by John Fleming.
The estate features a notable collection of Roman sarcophagi and historic garden statuary scattered throughout the grounds.
Cliveden is a National Trust estate situated on a steep escarpment overlooking the River Thames in Berkshire. The site features extensive Grade I listed formal gardens, woodlands, and a historic mansion currently operated as an independent luxury hotel. The grounds include a mile-long canal, the Parterre, and the iconic Fountain of Love. The estate has been a center for political and social gatherings for over three centuries, hosting various members of the British aristocracy and high-profile international figures. Visitors can access the gardens, woodlands, and the riverbank through National Trust membership or daily entry. The mansion itself is restricted to hotel guests and dining patrons. The estate's landscape design incorporates elements from the 17th century through the Victorian era.
The elevated view from the Parterre looking down toward the River Thames.
Prioritize walking the riverbank path, which offers distinct perspectives of the mansion's scale from below.
Check the National Trust website before arrival as the mansion house is often closed to the general public during private hotel events.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, as the terrain transitions from flat formal gardens to steep woodland trails.
Do not attempt to enter the hotel lobby or private terraces unless you have a confirmed dining reservation, as these areas are reserved for guests.
The mansion interiors are frequently closed to non-hotel guests; check the National Trust calendar for seasonal house opening dates.
Respect cordoned-off areas near the hotel building; avoid drone usage as it is strictly prohibited on National Trust property.
