Anglesey Abbey Gardens and Lode Mill: National Trust Site
Nestled in the heart of rural Cambridgeshire you can find Anglesey Abbey Gardens and Lode Mill. In this post we provide an overview of Anglesey Abbey and review the National Trust site as a day out with kids.
Is Anglesey Abbey good for kids?
Anglesey Abbey is THE BEST National Trust site for kids. Between the playground, den building area, seasonal activities, vast grounds and delicious restaurant there’s so much to do to keep the whole family entertained.
Where is Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill?
Anglesey Abbey Gardens and Lode Mill is located near Cambridge in the Cambridgeshire countryside. The sat nav postcode for the car park is CB25 9EJ, or type in ‘Lode’ if you have an older sat nav that doesn’t recognise the postcode.
Explore the Anglesey Abbey map
Pic of the map
What are the Anglesey Abbey opening times?
You can access the Anglesey Abbey Gardens between 9.30am and 5.30pm. Once on the grounds the house is open from 11am until 3pm. The last entry to the gardens is at 4.30pm.
How much is the entry cost to Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill?
Entry to the Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill costs £16.00 for an adult ticket and £8 for a child ticket. If you’re visiting as a family it’s £40 for two adults and two children, or £24 for one adult and three children. There is no cost for National Trust Members
There’s no need to book your tickets in advance, just turn up on the day.
Anglesey Abbey House
Anglesey Abbey House has gone through many changes from its start in 1609 to being handed to the National Trust by Lord Fairhaven in xx.
An interesting fact about Anglesey Abbey is that despite it’s name, it has never actually been an abbey! It is believed to have been founded in 1135 as a hospital before being converted to a canon in the early 13th century, and finally in house in 1609. In 1926 Anglesey Abbey was bought by two Fairhaven brothers who restored it to glory and created the beautiful gardens you can walk through today.
Exploring the many wings of the house you’ll find plenty of treasures and rich history to keep you interested. From original furniture and artwork from when Anglesey Abbey was last used as a private home in the 1960s to the first national atlas (the Saxton Atlas) created in 1579.
Anglesey Abbey Gardens
When planning the Anglesey Abbey Gardens Lord Fairhaven wanted a garden for all seasons, a tradition that is still followed today. The gardens at Anglesey Abbey are vast and truly stunning. The variation between flowers, statues and woodland means that you can spend all day in the gardens and not be bored. There are 7 gardens full of beautiful flowers, as well as 5 large lawns with deck chairs and space for kids to run around. A full list of the gardens is below, along with their corresponding number on the Canons Ashby map above.
Anglesey Abbey Lode Mill
The Anglesey Abbey Lode Mill that we see today has had a long history which is estimated to have started before the Doomsday Survey in 1086. It’s reckoned that a water mill stood in its place during this time, this was transformed into a corn mill and eventually into a cement mill. When Lord Fairhaven acquired the mill in 1934 he began to restore it to its former corn milling state. After many decades the mill was finally restored to working condition and in 1982 it was once again milling corn.
Anglesey Abbey Playground
The playground at Anglesey Abbey is made up of 3 areas – the treehouse, den building and playpark. Enter near the treehouse to find a small cafe stand with a few tables and chairs to enjoy while the kids play in the 2 storey treehouse. Keep following the path round to arrive at the main playground with a fort, swings, and a climbing area. Finally you’ll arrive at the den building area with loads of space to build a den of your own.
Other Nearby National Trust sites
Canons Ashby – Northamptonshire
Wimpole Estate – Cambridgeshire
Sutton Hoo – Suffolk
National Trust 50 Things to Do before 11 ¾
If you don’t know what this is, the National Trust 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ is a list of activities to inspire families and ensure they make the most out of their visit to a National Trust site.
We’re on a mission to tick off each of the National Trust 50 things to do before your 11 and ¾ at the different sites across England. As Anglesey Abbey has a great spot that is specially laid out for den building we managed to tick this off during our visit.
FAQ about Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill
Who owns Anglesey Abbey?
Upon his death in 1966 Lord Fairhaven left Anglesey Abbey to the National Trust.
Is Anglesey Abbey National Trust?
Yes, Anglesey Abbey is a National Trust site and has been since 1966.
Is there somewhere to eat on site?
Anglesey Abbey has a large on-site restaurant with plenty of spaces to eat inside and outside. There is a good range of reasonably priced cakes and food – I highly recommend the potato wedges!
Is Anglesey Abbey dog friendly?
Only assistance dogs are allowed in the house and gardens. However, you can enjoy one of the many dog-walking routes on local footpaths, which are accessible from the car park.
Can you take bikes to Anglesey Abbey?
Bikes and scooters are allowed on-site for under 5’s only.
Final Thoughts on Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill is perfect if you’re looking for somewhere to spend a full day out. There’s so much to do with tons of space to have a picnic and relax along the way. The playground is one of the best we’ve seen at a National Trust site and the restaurant food was delicious and reasonably priced. If you’re looking for somewhere smaller that you can visit in an hour or two then check out our Canon Ashby Gardens Review.
