Mapledurham House
Mapledurham House
4
About
Mapledurham House and Grounds is currently closed to the public. Mapledurham House is an Elizabethan mansion on the edge of the Oxfordshire/Berkshire borders. Bordered by the river Thames, it is a most beautiful and unspoilt part of South Oxfordshire. Together with the last working watermill on the river Thames and the newly installed Archimedes screw turbine, Mapledurham is well worth a visit. Open from Easter until the end of October on Sundays and Bank Holidays (not August Bank Holiday)
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.0
191 reviews
Excellent
85
Very good
66
Average
17
Poor
12
Terrible
11
John W
Reading, UK21 contributions
Oct 2021
An excellent place for our son and daughter's wedding reception and I cannot speak highly enough of the staff attentiveness and can-do attitude, from start to finish. What a marvellous setting, by the Thames and the little island by the old watermill was also made available to us. We could not have enjoyed a better wedding day.
Written 23 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sueandphil13
Newbury, UK64 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
this house is set in a beautiful setting by the river thames .we went for a food festival and the house was closed and in fact it always seems to be so you must check first before going. the food festival was great though.
Written 8 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tucker T T
Swindon, UK37 contributions
June 2015 • Couples
Sad to read some poor reviews about Mapledurham House so had to respond. My wife & I have visited over 65 properties owned by the National Trust & many more privately owned. Without exception all of these fine old stately homes could do with money being spent on them. The house is well worth a visit but if you can can combine it with a special offer it is real value for money. Through Travel Zoo we had a visit to the house, a trip round the only remaining mill on the River Thames complete with colour guide book. A 40 minute boat trip up the Thames & a cream tea. All this for ÂŁ12.50 per head. What is there to complain about? We had a great afternoon & well worth a visit.
Written 28 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your kind review. We are delighted to have been part of the Travelzoo experience again this year and, as you say, its a very good deal! We will run other promotions from time to time, so please do keep an eye on the website. Kind regards ~~ Lola Andrews
Written 2 August 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Malibu_Jenny
Reading, UK505 contributions
July 2011
My friend booked this as a treat for the two of us and our babies. She confirmed the booking by telephone on the morning of our visit and on arrival staff were expecting us. A man greeted us, opened the gates for us to drive in and directed us to the parking and toilets. However, less than five minutes into our visit, we were stopped by an extremely rude lady.
She demanded to know what we thought we were doing and how on earth we 'got in'. My friend patiently explained that we were legitimate paying guests. This was apparently not a good enough answer. This woman, without even leaving her car, told us we weren't allowed to visit and then detained us there for 15 minutes while she cross questioned us and made us feel very uncomfortable. She insinuated that we had somehow broken in. All the while, it was a very hot day and our babies were stuck in sweaty pushchairs.
When she eventually established that we were telling the truth - she didn't believe us, but a phone call or two made it clear we had booked, just as we said - she made some derogatory remarks about the coach party who were also visiting and then drove away WITHOUT apologising whatsoever.
Determined not to let her spoil the day, we had an afternoon in the grounds, then went for the cream tea included in the entry price. After seeing the damp smelling and mouldy windowless tearoom, dominated by huge chest freezers, we decided to eat outside. Spoons were plastic, as was the chipped and grubby table. We both commented that we thought it was a very 'unstately' stately home.
She demanded to know what we thought we were doing and how on earth we 'got in'. My friend patiently explained that we were legitimate paying guests. This was apparently not a good enough answer. This woman, without even leaving her car, told us we weren't allowed to visit and then detained us there for 15 minutes while she cross questioned us and made us feel very uncomfortable. She insinuated that we had somehow broken in. All the while, it was a very hot day and our babies were stuck in sweaty pushchairs.
When she eventually established that we were telling the truth - she didn't believe us, but a phone call or two made it clear we had booked, just as we said - she made some derogatory remarks about the coach party who were also visiting and then drove away WITHOUT apologising whatsoever.
Determined not to let her spoil the day, we had an afternoon in the grounds, then went for the cream tea included in the entry price. After seeing the damp smelling and mouldy windowless tearoom, dominated by huge chest freezers, we decided to eat outside. Spoons were plastic, as was the chipped and grubby table. We both commented that we thought it was a very 'unstately' stately home.
Written 15 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mabel1348
London, UK118 contributions
Aug 2011 • Friends
My husband and I visited this house with friends last Sunday. It was a beautiful sunny day and that was about the best thing of the day.
We paid ÂŁ8 each to get in and ÂŁ4 each for cream tea. I dont mind paying to go round stately homes as I know the upkeep and running costs must be huge. However this one is a big let down as the money clearly is not enough for the people who own it to maintain it. The house is just a sad damp relic full of stuff which needs to be seriously de-cluttered and cleaned out. The walls have huge cracks on the inside of the house and you cant see the good aspects of the inside for all of the meaningless clutter which has been chucked in for effect. it must be a huge drain to inherit such a property if you dont have hard cash to keep it going but if the house was done up by someone with vision and money it could be a great venue for weddings/functions etc and could pay for itself as the setting is perfect. However the owner would have to speculate to accumulate. The mill was dirty and there was no explainations beyond some dated tatty faded boards. Again if it was done well it would be a great draw. (Look at the Weald and Downland Mill for inspiration). I love history and was really looking forward to the church but the most interesting part of this was fenced off and was falling apart anyway. Plaster coming off the wall etc. Car park like a swamp. Think the owners should sell it up to someone with hard cash who will make it look and feel loved again as it seems as if it has lost all heart. Poor old house. The cream tea was nice! And the staff were nice too.
We paid ÂŁ8 each to get in and ÂŁ4 each for cream tea. I dont mind paying to go round stately homes as I know the upkeep and running costs must be huge. However this one is a big let down as the money clearly is not enough for the people who own it to maintain it. The house is just a sad damp relic full of stuff which needs to be seriously de-cluttered and cleaned out. The walls have huge cracks on the inside of the house and you cant see the good aspects of the inside for all of the meaningless clutter which has been chucked in for effect. it must be a huge drain to inherit such a property if you dont have hard cash to keep it going but if the house was done up by someone with vision and money it could be a great venue for weddings/functions etc and could pay for itself as the setting is perfect. However the owner would have to speculate to accumulate. The mill was dirty and there was no explainations beyond some dated tatty faded boards. Again if it was done well it would be a great draw. (Look at the Weald and Downland Mill for inspiration). I love history and was really looking forward to the church but the most interesting part of this was fenced off and was falling apart anyway. Plaster coming off the wall etc. Car park like a swamp. Think the owners should sell it up to someone with hard cash who will make it look and feel loved again as it seems as if it has lost all heart. Poor old house. The cream tea was nice! And the staff were nice too.
Written 23 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Munkay
Tenbury Wells, UK74 contributions
July 2011 • Couples
Myself and my husband visitted the above property in July 2011 and with the good weather on our isde we were thoroughly looking forward to our afternoon out with an amble round the grounds and the big old house - which is still a lived in house. It was dreadful, I'm struggling for something good to say but cannot find it. The cracks, and I mean 'major' cracks in the walls of the house I'm surprised it was standing at all. After walking round the house we then followed a sign to the "Walled Vegetable Garden". I was expecting to see something second to none in layout and design but all I saw were a few cauliflowers and a compost heap, Oh yes and a wall. After all it was the walled vegetable garden. We were in, round the house and grounds, eaten tea and scones and on our way out and home within 1 hour and 10 minutes. It took us longer to drive there from home. Very very disappointing indeed.
Written 14 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jonvue
London43 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
In the beautiful countryside at Mapledurham Estate the estate managers are cruelly trapping wild birds using Larsen traps, baited with a live bird. The poor bait bird (a magpie in the trap I saw) is kept confined in a tiny wire cage oudoors in order to attract other wild birds, which then become trapped in the other half of the Larsen trap. The Mapledurham Estate and the Thames are beautiful, but please don't visit until they stop this cruel trapping of wild birds.
Written 22 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
66JLS66
Witney, UK185 contributions
July 2013 • Couples
Went on this Groupon 13th July , not sure why they think this is worth ÂŁ13 for two people . The cream tea is like queueing for school dinner and then you get to sit on very unatractive plastic seats or a long tressle table with all your other fellow Groupon purchasers. There is no atmosphere of a country estate here!!. The gardens are nothing but a lawn and the odd tree. The house really is'nt worth seeing and has on display random items with minimal information about the history of them
The mill was interesting but again not enough information on display to read if you miss the tour.
All in all , the whole experience is over and done with in less than hour and we felt cheated of our money.
The mill was interesting but again not enough information on display to read if you miss the tour.
All in all , the whole experience is over and done with in less than hour and we felt cheated of our money.
Written 19 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna E
Reading, UK21 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
Shocking waste of time and money (actually could only stand it for less than an hour). It used to be ok, is now shockingly rubbish. Food wasn't anything to write home about and the music....well, haha, visited on Saturday about 2.45pm to be faced with some woman on an acoustic guitar trying desperately to string together the most appalling rendition of 'Billie Jean' to the most bemused looking audience, it was horrible! I sing better than that in the shower. If she's reading 'please don't inflict yourself on people, you struggle with the guitar and seriously cannot sing, give it up'
Written 5 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alan c
Waltham Abbey, UK484 contributions
July 2016 • Couples
We were a party of four adults and had pre-booked our visit to the house, mill and a boat trip on the river Thames via Travel Zoo which saved us a lot of money. We first went on the one hour boat trip which was very relaxing and there is even a bar on board which made the voyage even better. We then visited the working mill which was very informative with plenty of literature arround which informed you of the age of the building and also the working machinery. We then went on and visited the house. Each room had a mature attendant on hand to answer any questions you may have and at the end of the visit, we were much more informed regarding the history of the house and grounds than when we first arrived. The car parking is very easy and there is a lovely tea rooms where you can sit and take a breather. This is a great day out and is easy walking as everything is on the level.
Written 26 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the lovely review - very much appreciated. Mapledurham truly is a special place and I am delighted you enjoyed it so much. I hope we have the pleasure of your company again in the future. Kind regards ~~ Lola Andrews
Written 28 July 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
How can I make a reservation for me and my boyfriend? I have been trying to make one, but my e-mails have not been replied... We’re planning to visit on the open days next week but I’m afraid you might not have space for us!
Written 5 June 2019
fiona590
Greater London, United Kingdom
We hope to take my elderly father to the WW2 show over the weekend. Does the car park have disabled parking and how far is it to the main event? Will there be seating available around the show or is it advisable to bring our own? Thanks
Written 14 June 2018
Bom dia, gostaria de saber sobre dias e horário de visitação e como chegar até lá.
Written 10 January 2018
I plan to visit the Festive Gift Fair. I would like to know if I can bring my dog.
Written 10 November 2017
Yes you certainly can - on a lead please
Written 10 November 2017
Hello - very much so! They were a sign that the house was a "safe house" in the years when it was illegal to say Mass
Kind regards -- Lola Andrews
Written 28 October 2017
A Tripadvisor member
Hampshire, United Kingdom
Hi, suggest you log on to website and post question. I don't know I'm afraid.
Written 9 October 2017
Hi Can you tell me whether dogs are allowed at the food festival please.
Written 30 April 2017
Yes no problem at all (on leads please)
Kind regards
Lola
Written 30 April 2017
Hello - the boat company is Thames River Cruise - you would need to contact them
Written 10 April 2016
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