16/09/2026
HISTORIC BELVEDERE TOWER AT CLAREMONT LANDSCAPE GARDEN REOPENS FOR HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 2026
• Visit Claremont Landscape Garden for free on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September
• Mansion house and grounds at Claremont Fan Court School open on Saturday 19 September
The National Trust’s Claremont Landscape Garden has confirmed that it will be open for free on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, as part of Heritage Open Days 2026. For the first time since before the pandemic, one of the Garden’s most prominent features, the historic Belvedere Tower, will once again be open for visits.
Widely visible from the surrounding areas and once offering commanding views as far as Windsor Castle and London, the tower was very much the status symbol of 18th century aristocracy. With the co-operation of Claremont Fan Court School who owns the tower, the historically significant building will be open for visitors to explore.
The self-led visit will involve an opportunity to explore Belvedere mount and ground floor of tower with volunteers on hand to answer any questions. Visitors will then be able to ascend the spiral staircase to the top of the tower to enjoy the views over the tree canopy. As well as the tower, Heritage Open Day visitors will also be able to explore the entire Grade I listed garden with its extraordinary views, serpentine lake, grotto, regency terrace and unique grass amphitheatre.
On Saturday 19 September, in collaboration with Claremont Fan Court School, the gate between the school and the garden will be open, allowing visitors to freely wander between the two properties. A free-flow self-guided tour of selected rooms of the mansion house will also be available.
Speaking about Heritage Open Days at Claremont, General Manager, Rhona MacCallum, said ‘On the 300th anniversary of Sir John Vanbrugh’s life, we are delighted to showcase one of his earliest surviving works in both the garden and the Belvedere Tower, on Heritage Open Days. We are grateful to Claremont Fan Court School in being able to expand our offer here at Claremont Landscape Garden and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors for free to explore a unique piece of history. The opening of the tower for Heritage Opening Day is the first step in our plans to enable more visits in the 2027.”
The garden and the mansion house (Claremont Fan Court School) were once part of the Claremont estate in Esher, which was shaped by some the most influential designers of the 18th century including John Vanbrugh, Charles Bridgeman, William Kent and Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
Over its 300-year history, Claremont has been home to a Prime Minister, an East India Company commander and European royalty. In the 1930s, the estate was divided with Claremont Fan Court School acquiring the mansion house and 100 acres of parkland, and the 49 acres that forms Claremont Landscape Garden left to the care of National Trust.
For more information, including opening times, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremont
Follow on Instagram
💜
------------------------------------
Celebrating culture & community
www.thecourtcircular.co.uk
------------------------------------
