Stoneleigh Abbey

The estate was originally home to a 12th-century Cistercian abbey and it was acquired by Sir Thomas Leigh in 1558 after the Dissolution of the Monasteries and it was home to the Leigh family until 1990.

The house was expanded considerably during the 450 years that it was a family home and work on the estate included the addition of a palatial four-storey wing added between 1714 and 1726 as well as gardens designed by Humphry Repton.

Queen Victoria was a guest at Stoneleigh Abbey for a couple of nights in 1858 but most people visit Stoneleigh Abbey because of its association with Jane Austen, who stayed here with her mother in 1806. Stoneleigh Abbey is widely regarded as the model for Mansfield Park.

What to see at Stoneleigh Abbey

In 1946, Stoneleigh Abbey was one of the first English country houses to be opened to the visiting public.

Admission to the house is by guided tour only and tours provide an overview of the history of the house starting from its monastic beginnings in 1154. There is also a programme of tours that focus on Jane Austen’s connection to Stoneleigh Abbey.

The grounds surrounding Stoneleigh Abbey feature gardens designed by Humphry Repton. There are a number of walking trails on the grounds that allow the visitor to admire the result of Repton’s work and these walks also include tranquil views of the River Avon.

Visiting Stoneleigh Abbey

Stoneleigh Abbey is located near the village of Stoneleigh Park on the opposite side of the A46 Warwick Bypass to Kenilworth.

Although it is cut off from the town by a busy dual-carriageway, it is only a 45-minute walk from the centre of Kenilworth and less than a 40-minute walk from Kenilworth railway station. However, the walking track that takes you across the A46 is poorly signposted and can be difficult to find.

Unfortunately, there is no easy public transport link between the town and Stoneleigh Abbey and travelling here by bus can take around three-times longer than walking.

It is much more accessible if you’re driving and it shouldn’t take much longer than 10 minutes to drive here from Kenilworth’s town centre.

Admission to the grounds is free if you have a valid Shakespeare’s England Explorer Pass and it is also included if you book afternoon tea in the former orangery. There is an additional charge to take a tour of the house. Stoneleigh Abbey is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

There is also a programme of events held on the estate, which include outdoor theatre productions.

The house and tea room are wheelchair accessible but there are gravel paths around the grounds that some wheelchair users may find difficult.

There is a lovely tea room housed inside the former orangery with views over the River Avon. It is a delightful spot for afternoon tea, while afternoon tea here is pricey (cream tea is much better value), the price does include the entry ticket to the grounds.

Most visitors spend between one and two hours visiting Stoneleigh Abbey.