We look forward to welcoming you to Riverhill, but we understand if you have questions before your visit. We have created this page with some of the most commonly asked questions, to save you time and ensure you have all the information you need.
Please have a look through this page as well as our Before You Visit page before contacting us, as we are often out and about in the gardens so may not be able to respond immediately. We also have more detailed pages with info for groups, children/families and dogs, so you may find the answer in our top menu.
How can I pay?
We are a CASHLESS site. We can only accept payment by card. This includes: entry payments, shop purchases and in the Cafe.
Can I just visit the Cafe?
Absolutely! Please just quickly check in at the Ticket Office on arrival.
Can I bring my child in a buggy?
We are a multi-terrain Garden so access varies across the site. Whilst the paths to the Café, Walled Garden, Rock Garden, Tortoise Walk and Summer House are all lovely, smooth and level, the hillier areas of our Garden have uneven and twisty paths, so our recommendation is to bring carriers/slings to explore these parts. You are welcome to leave your buggy by the Ticket Office whilst you explore (Please don’t forget your rain cover just in case). We are sorry but our paths are just too narrow for double buggies. Please leave your buggies outside the Café during busy periods.
Can I bring my dog?
Absolutely, dogs are very welcome here. Please keep them on leads at all times and not in the play area. Dogs are now welcome inside the Cafe. Please keep them on a short lead and under control. We have dog water outside the Cafe. Check our Visiting with Dogs page for more info >
Which membership cards do you accept?
We accept Historic House Membership. We are also part of the Gardener’s World 2for1 Card offer. NEW for 2024: WE ARE NOW AN RHS PARTNER GARDEN, offering FREE access to RHS members on a WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY only for the duration of the Season.
Please note; we are not part of the National Trust, we are a family owned, independent business.
if you are using HH,GW or RHS schemes you must bring your card with you on the day. We can not honour the discount without it and you will be asked to pay.
I’m disabled, what is your access like?
Riverhill is not suitable for motorised scooters.
Although our paths around the Walled Garden and Rock Garden are smoother and more even. The initial gravel and slope means that our overall recommendation is to not use wheelchairs unless someone has checked the suitability beforehand for your particular needs/equipment.
The shop, cafe and cafe terrace are accessible by wheelchair (However, please be aware that the entrance and disabled parking area is gravelled)
We have accessible parking by the house.
We have an accessible toilet situated next to the Cafe.
There is no charge for wheelchair users or essential companions.
Click here for more access info.
Are parts of the Gardens ever closed to the public?
Yes; we hold a handful of weddings here each season and close our Walled Gardens for them, usually from 12. We also will need to close the Walled garden early on the two occasions that we have evening plays here. Please click here to see this season’s closed dates.
Is there parking?
Yes, we have a large, free carpark. Plus visitors with additional access requirements can park in our disabled parking in front of the main house.
Can I bring a picnic?
Yes, we have lots of lovely picnic spots and you will find benches and picnic tables dotted around the gardens. Please do not picnic on the Rose Walk or on the grass terraces in the Walled Garden. We provide tap water to refill bottles. Please make sure you leave no litter behind!
Please do not use the cafe tables to picnic, there are lots of benches, tables and spots to sit around the gardens.
When can I spot a Yeti?
The best time to spot a Yeti is between 2 and 4 on weekends and School Holidays. He will only appear in our den building area, for the benefit of Children who are less keen and you won’t encounter him anywhere else in the gardens. Please note; our Yetis are all young so please make sure your children treat them with respect and kindness! Find out more about our yeti
Can I use Riverhill for a commercial photoshoot?
Absolutely - we have plenty of space and amazing backdrops for photoshoots. All commercial photography must be pre-arranged and we do charge. We usually offer this on Mondays and Tuesdays when we are closed to the public and you will have exclusive use. Please contact us to find out more.
Still have questions? Contact us.