Weston Park
Weston-under-Lizard, near Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8LE
A seventeenth-century house set in 1,000 acres of Capability Brown parkland on the Shropshire and Staffordshire border, with formal gardens, Temple Wood, a walled garden and James Paine's Temple of Diana.
Visit information checked 22 October 2026
Garden UK guide
Why visit Weston Park?
Weston Park is a big, open day out where the parkland matters as much as the flower gardens. The house sits in about 1,000 acres landscaped by Capability Brown, so the best part of a visit is walking out across grass, past lakes and woodland, then coming back to the formal gardens near the house.
Near the house you will find formal gardens and the 1767 Granary, now a restaurant, whose menu uses produce from the Walled Garden. Further out, Temple Wood holds the Woodland Adventure Playground and a miniature railway that runs past lakeside views. The Temple of Diana, designed by James Paine in the 1760s, is really an orangery and garden house, with painted panels inside showing the story of the goddess, and Paine's Roman Bridge crosses the Temple Pool in a single stone arch. The estate has published Wellbeing Walks, including routes up to Knoll Tower and the Shrewsbury Walk, which give long views back over the park.
Gardeners will enjoy studying how Brown's parkland uses trees, water and open grass to lead the eye, and how garden buildings like the Temple of Diana are placed to be seen from a distance. The walled garden link to the restaurant is a reminder of how productive gardens can still be part of a large estate. The site is cashless, so bring a card.
What to see
- About 1,000 acres of Capability Brown parkland with lakes and woodland.
- The Temple of Diana, James Paine's orangery and garden house with painted panels.
- The Roman Bridge over the Temple Pool, a single stone arch.
- The Walled Garden, which supplies produce for the Granary Restaurant.
- Temple Wood, with the miniature railway and Woodland Adventure Playground.
- Wellbeing Walks up to Knoll Tower for views over the park.
Weston Park through the year
- spring
- Fresh growth in the parkland and woods makes this a good time for the longer walks.
- summer
- The main season, when the formal gardens, railway and playground are in full swing.
- autumn
- Brown's parkland trees and Temple Wood bring autumn colour across the estate.
- winter
- Opening is more limited in winter, so check the official site; the park walks can still be enjoyable.
The story behind the garden
Weston was recorded in the Domesday Book, and the park is what remains of a medieval deer park. The house was built in 1671 for Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham, probably with William Taylor as architect. In the eighteenth century the estate passed to Sir Henry Bridgeman, who commissioned Capability Brown to landscape the park and employed James Paine in the 1760s to alter the house and add the Roman Bridge and the Temple of Diana.
In the late nineteenth century the entrance was moved to the east front. In 1986 the 7th Earl of Bradford gave the house and park to the nation, with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and it is now cared for by the Weston Park Foundation, an independent charity. The 1767 Granary was restored in 2009 and the Foundation marked its 40th anniversary in 2026.
Plan your visit
- Best for
- Families and walkers who want gardens, parkland and play space in one long visit.
- Getting there
- Weston Park is at Weston-under-Lizard, on the A5 near Shifnal, about eight miles east of Telford and ten miles north-west of Wolverhampton.
- Before you go
- The park and gardens can close for private events on some dates, and the house has shorter opening than the grounds. Check the official website for current opening times and tickets.
Source: Weston Park visitor information
Questions about visiting Weston Park
Did Capability Brown design Weston Park?
Yes. Sir Henry Bridgeman commissioned Capability Brown to landscape the park in the eighteenth century, and around 1,000 acres of his parkland survive. James Paine added the Roman Bridge and Temple of Diana in the 1760s.
How long do you need at Weston Park?
Allow most of a day if you want to see the gardens, walk part of the parkland and visit the house. Families using the playground and miniature railway in Temple Wood may want longer.
Is Weston Park in Shropshire or Staffordshire?
Weston Park's postal address is near Shifnal in Shropshire, but the house stands in Weston-under-Lizard, which is in Staffordshire, right by the county border.
Is there somewhere to eat at Weston Park?
Yes. The Granary Restaurant, in a building of 1767, serves seasonal dishes using produce from the Walled Garden. Weston Park is a cashless venue, so payment is by card or digital wallet.
Who owns Weston Park?
Weston Park is owned and cared for by the Weston Park Foundation, an independent charity. The 7th Earl of Bradford gave the house and park to the nation in 1986.
Garden features
Location
Weston-under-Lizard, near Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8LE
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