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The Estate and Gardens

Discover the Dumfries House estate, spanning over 2,000 acres of woodland, gardens, mazes, footpaths, playgrounds and more.

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About our estate

The Dumfries House estate is free to enter on foot, and we’re open every day from dawn until dusk.

A small car parking charge applies for those visiting from beyond a 20-mile radius.

The estate spans more than 2,000 acres of beautiful woodland and gardens, with a range of attractions for all the family to enjoy on a day out.

Plan your visit

Queen Elizabeth II Walled Garden

Our five-acre Walled Garden has been restored from a derelict area into a beautiful garden with a mix of terraces, greenhouses and topiary. It is also home to our Education Garden where we teach young people about horticultural skills, food waste and plant life.

The Walled Garden was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2014.

Entry costs £3, and you can book tickets at the Visitor Centre. We also offer private tours for groups – please get in touch to learn more. All of the other gardens on the estate are free to enter.

Browse attractions

  • Adventure playground
  • Maze
  • Arboretum
  • Chinese Bridge
  • Temple gate
  • Avenue Bridge
  • Rothesay Gardens
  • Doocot
  • Adventure playground
  • Maze
  • Arboretum
  • Chinese Bridge
  • Temple gate
  • Avenue Bridge
  • Rothesay Gardens
  • Doocot

Adventure playground

Situated next to the Café is our Woodland Adventure Playground, a favourite of many families who visit the estate, providing fun for kids (and grown-ups) of all ages.

Adventure playground

Situated next to the Café is our Woodland Adventure Playground, a favourite of many families who visit the estate, providing fun for kids (and grown-ups) of all ages.

Maze

Our maze was developed from an idea of King Charles III, inspired by the elaborate maze at Sandringham and his childhood visits there. It was created from almost 2,000 yew hedges and can be found just south-east of the Adam Bridge.

Maze

Our maze was developed from an idea of King Charles III, inspired by the elaborate maze at Sandringham and his childhood visits there. It was created from almost 2,000 yew hedges and can be found just south-east of the Adam Bridge.

Arboretum

Our magnificent arboretum hosts more than 500 specimens and a range of shrubs and woodland flowers. To the east of the site are two lochans, which are a haven for a wide range of wildlife. At the centre of the arboretum sits the woodland shelter, a magnificent structure created by King’s Foundation students.

Arboretum

Our magnificent arboretum hosts more than 500 specimens and a range of shrubs and woodland flowers. To the east of the site are two lochans, which are a haven for a wide range of wildlife. At the centre of the arboretum sits the woodland shelter, a magnificent structure created by King’s Foundation students.

Chinese Bridge

The Chinese Bridge offers another walkway across the Lugar Water river that runs through the estate and links up some of the woodland walks across the estate. It was based on an 1899 drawing by architect Robert Weir Schultz. Architect Keith Ross worked with the then Prince of Wales to bring the design to life, with work completed in 2017.

Chinese Bridge

The Chinese Bridge offers another walkway across the Lugar Water river that runs through the estate and links up some of the woodland walks across the estate. It was based on an 1899 drawing by architect Robert Weir Schultz. Architect Keith Ross worked with the then Prince of Wales to bring the design to life, with work completed in 2017.

Temple gate

At the top of the Duchess of Rothesay Walk lies the Temple Gate, a Category A-listed structure that was restored from its state of disrepair and reopened in 2016.

Temple gate

At the top of the Duchess of Rothesay Walk lies the Temple Gate, a Category A-listed structure that was restored from its state of disrepair and reopened in 2016.

Adam Bridge

Designed by John Adams, and restored in 2014, the beautiful 1760 bridge was built to give visitors to the estate an early sight of Dumfries House on their approach from the Temple Gate entrance. The bridge crosses the Lugar Water and links up the areas surrounding the Visitor Centre to the beautiful arboretum.

Adam Bridge

Designed by John Adams, and restored in 2014, the beautiful 1760 bridge was built to give visitors to the estate an early sight of Dumfries House on their approach from the Temple Gate entrance. The bridge crosses the Lugar Water and links up the areas surrounding the Visitor Centre to the beautiful arboretum.

Rothesay Gardens

The Rothesay Garden lies south of the House and is partly concealed by a tall yew hedge. It combines both oriental and Scottish influences in its design and there is an oak-framed structure at its centre with a thatched roof. The garden provides peaceful surroundings to relax in and listen to the sounds of the nearby passing stream.

Rothesay Gardens

The Rothesay Garden lies south of the House and is partly concealed by a tall yew hedge. It combines both oriental and Scottish influences in its design and there is an oak-framed structure at its centre with a thatched roof. The garden provides peaceful surroundings to relax in and listen to the sounds of the nearby passing stream.

Doocot

The doocot is one of the estate’s oldest structures, formerly part of the old 17th-century estate (before Dumfries House was built) and bears the 1671 date on its doorway. Dovecotes were used for storing food during the winter months and also often acted as a status symbol.

Doocot

The doocot is one of the estate’s oldest structures, formerly part of the old 17th-century estate (before Dumfries House was built) and bears the 1671 date on its doorway. Dovecotes were used for storing food during the winter months and also often acted as a status symbol.

What’s on

Planning a visit to Dumfries House? See what’s coming up on the estate.