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Know

before

you go

Before Your Visit

Before you visit us, here’s some handy information and frequently asked questions. From parking and booking tickets to ‘can I bring my dog?’ (yes!), you’ll find all you need below.

If you don’t find the answer to your question, please get in touch via info@comptonverney.org.uk or 01926 645 500.

dogs on the drive way

Frequently asked Questions

What is included in the ticket price?

A ticket includes access to the grounds, indoor galleries, shop and café. Parking is FREE. There are 120 acres to explore and you can arrive at any time during our opening hours, and stay for the full day.

Some events may incur an extra charge, please check the event listing on the website for more information.

Who do I contact if I'm having trouble booking tickets?

You should receive a confirmation email shortly after purchase. Check your Junk/Spam email folder if you can’t see the confirmation in your inbox.

If you still need assistance, please get in touch via info@comptonverney.org.uk or 01926 645 500.

Does everyone have to book a ticket in advance?

Booking is advised to secure the best price for your admission. Tickets bought on the day are 10% more expensive.

Book a ticket here or by calling 01926 645 500

Visitors aged 18 and under visit for FREE but do require a ticket.

If you are a Compton Verney Member, we recommend that you book your ticket in advance to help us manage the overall number of people visiting on any one day.

If you have a query about your membership, please email members@comptonverney.org.uk

How do I book tickets if I don’t have access to a computer or online device?

Please phone our Welcome Team on  01926 645 500 (daily, 10am-5pm) and our team will be very happy to help you.

I don’t have a smartphone or printer – how do I show you my ticket?

Please bring your booking confirmation number with you and show this to our admissions team on arrival. For further information, please get in touch via info@comptonverney.org.uk or 01926 645 500.

What should I wear for my visit?

Wear whatever you are comfortable in! The car park is approximately 580 meters, so dress for the weather. Coats, umbrellas and back packs can be left in our lockers. These can be found near our shop at the main house.

If you intend to do one of our walking or orienteering trails make sure you are wearing suitable outdoor footwear, although the majority are pathed some areas go off these paths.

 

Do I need to book a ticket for my child?

Yes. Under 18s visit for FREE but still require a ticket, to help us manage numbers.

Can I have a refund? Or swap my booking to another day?

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Can I use the public rights of way to walk through Compton Verney?

You are free to walk along the public footpath across Old Town Meadow. Exiting this path and entering Compton Verney Grounds will require an admissions ticket.

How long can I stay for?

You can stay until the grounds close, regardless of the time you arrive.

Does my entry ticket include parking?

Yes, parking is FREE for Compton Verney visitors.

Where can I have my picnic?

Picnics are permitted across site, with the exception of South Lawn, these areas clearly signposted. We also have designated picnic areas with benches which are highlighted on our map.

Please do not bring your own gazebos, tents or picnic tables and chairs. Thank you.

I may have lost something at Compton Verney, who should I contact?

Our Welcome team handles lost property. Please contact them at  info@comptonverney.org.uk or 01926 645 500 and they’ll help to reunite you with your items if they have been found and handed in.

BRINGING a DOG?

Can I walk my dog at Compton Verney?

If you have a valid admission ticket or membership, you can walk your dog, on a lead, around the grounds of the park.

Dogs are not permitted inside the gallery spaces (Assistance Dogs are permitted).

  • Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome.
  • Use longer leads in Old Town Meadow, but be mindful of wildlife, especially around the lakeside.
  • Avoid letting dogs swim in the lake to preserve their health and not disturb wildlife.
  • Respectfully, keep dogs out of Forest School, Playground, Sandpit areas, and Ice House Coppice, a protected habitat.
  • Only assistance dogs allowed in the House, Galleries, and shuttle bus from the car park.
  • Never leave dogs in cars; distressed dogs will prompt notification to authorities.
  • Dog posts available at the rear of the House for short trips.
  • Leave dogs at home when visiting Galleries and Exhibitions.
  • Clean up after dogs and carry waste bags to dog waste bins.
  • Dog drinking stations near Welcome Centre and rear of the House.
  • Preferably, one dog per person, but a maximum of two allowed.
  • Note: In winter, salt on paths may irritate dogs.
Where are dogs allowed?

We also know that some people can be wary of dogs, and we want to ensure that everyone feels welcome and safe when they visit. For this reason, dogs will be allowed in the Welcome Centre and the Parkland, including the Old Town Meadow, but not in the Playground, Forest School or Sandpits. Only assistance dogs will be allowed in the House. A map outlining the restricted areas can be obtained at the Welcome Centre.

What do you mean about ‘well behaved’ dogs?

Dogs and their behaviour are the responsibility of their owners. We ask that all owners adhere to our Dog Walking Code, including walking on short leads, avoiding certain areas, and keeping dogs under close control. Please do not allow your dog to jump up at other visitors, and ensure that they have sufficient room to pass you on narrow paths. We reserve the right to refuse entry, or to ask dogs and owners behaving inconsiderately or dangerously to leave without refund.

What do I do if I see a badly behaved dog?

If a dog is acting aggressively, is not under control or is a threat to visitors or wildlife, please seek out a member of staff as soon as possible and provide a description of the dog and their behaviour.

Do I need to keep my dog on the lead?

You should keep your dog on a lead when walking them around the Park. Dogs on long leads in the Old Town Meadow but only if you can keep them under close control.

Do you have recommended walks?

We have a number of walking routes that take in the main Park, the Old Town Meadow, and even through the local countryside. You can pick up maps at the Welcome Centre.

Where can I leave my dog if I go inside?

Hitching posts will be available at the Welcome Centre and at the rear of the House so you can leave your dogs for short trips to the café, shop or toilets. As the hitching areas aren’t sheltered, we ask that if you want to visit the Galleries and Exhibitions, please come back another time and leave your dog to snooze at home. Please do not leave your dog in your car at any time. If a dog is left in a car and appears distressed we will inform the relevant authorities.

Where can I put my dog waste?

Please pick up after your dog and carry waste bags with you until you see a dog waste bin. New dog waste bins have been installed throughout the site and are labelled on the map. Please do not put your regular waste in these bins or your dog waste in the regular bins.

Watering points

Dog drinking stations are available near the Welcome Centre and at the rear of the House. Please ask a member of staff if you have difficulty locating them, or they need topping up.

How many dogs can I bring with me?

For the enjoyment of all we prefer that you only have one dog per person, but will allow a maximum of two. This is to ensure that you can give sufficient attention to all the dogs under your control, and to avoid other visitors feeling intimidated by large groups of dogs.

Can I bring my dog in the shuttle bus?

Only assistance dogs are permitted on our shuttle bus from the Car Park to the House.

Dog Walkers’ Code of Conduct
  • Well-behaved dogs are welcome on short leads. Longer leads can be used in the Old Town Meadow, but please be conscious of the wildlife, particularly around the lakeside.
  • Please don’t let your dog swim in the lake for their health, and so as not to disturb wildlife.
  • We have a map outlining where you can walk your dog. Out of respect for other visitors, please do not bring your dog into the Forest School, Playground or Sandpit areas, and avoid the Ice House Coppice it is a protected wildlife habitat area.
  • Only assistance dogs are allowed in the House and Galleries, due to the fragile nature of the items on display, and for the enjoyment of other visitors.
  • Only assistance dogs are permitted on our shuttle bus from the car park to the main house.
  • Please do not leave your dog in your car at any time. If a dog is left in a car and appears distressed we will inform the relevant authorities.
  • There are posts where dogs can be left outside at the rear of the House for short trips to the café, shop or toilets.
  • If you want to visit the Galleries and Exhibitions, please come back another time and leave your dog to snooze at home.
  • Please pick up after your dog and carry waste bags with you until you see a dog waste bin.
  • Dog drinking stations are available near the Welcome Centre and at the rear of the House. Please ask a member of staff if you have difficulty locating them, or they need topping up.
  • For the enjoyment of all we prefer that you only have one dog per person, but will allow a maximum of two.

Please note, during the winter we use salt on the paths, which may cause irritation to dogs.