Haddo Country Park
Tarves
AB41 7EQ
The entrance to the park is situated on the Ellon to Tarves road on the right just past the turn for Tanglandford. Leave Ellon on the B9005 road towards Methlick. Do not turn sharp right at Kinharrachie Cottages but continue straight on for approximately a further 4 miles. Alternatively Haddo is signed from the B999 at the turnoff just before the village of Tarves.
The nearest access to public transport is approximately two and a quarter miles from the Country Park.
The park is open during the hours of daylight every day of the year.
Grounds
Haddo Park was established in 1979 and was accorded country park status in 1980.
The original 72.9 hectares are comprised of estate policies, grassland, plantation and mixed woodland, lake and ponds. In 1994 a further 24.2 hectares. known as Craigie Wood was purchased from the forestry Commission but this area is currently not considered suitable for general public access, as shown on the park plan (pdf 1.32mb)
Haddo House and Gardens lie immediately adjacent to the Country Park and share the car park. Situated within the Haddo House complex is the theatre that houses the Haddo Arts Trust and Haddo Choral Society. Close by the car park entrance is situated the Haddo Estate Shop.
The landscape, of which the Country Park is part, is listed in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland as an outstanding representative of the early 18th and mid 19th century landscape styles.
The park is a pleasant mix of open water, mature tree planting and grassland, some of which contains a diverse range of wildflowers. The backbone of the park is the central drive, reputed to be one Scots mile in length stretching from the back door of Haddo House to the commemorative urn at the top of the Deer Park. Much of the Deer Park is let for grazing but visitors are able to walk right round the edge of the Deer Park on mown grass.
If ground conditions are unsuitable for walking on grass there are approximately three miles of surfaced paths within the park and in these beautiful surroundings helping to maintain health and fitness with a pleasant walk should definitely not be a daunting task.
On the way down the central drive you will cross the ponds at the head of the lake and here our helpful ducks, swans and geese will check to see if you are carrying any heavy bread which is weighing you down and hindering your progress through the park. Areas of the lake edge are fenced and screened. This is in order to provide secluded nesting locations for the lakes many and varied resident birds. Visitors are requested to avoid entering these areas.
Facilities
The park has good car parking and contains toilets, including facilities for the disabled, open all year round.
The National Trust for Scotland owns Haddo House, situated adjacent to the park. The National Trust toilets, tea room and shop are open during the summer season and are accessible to park visitors.
A number of picnic benches are located on the grass areas around the car park with one or two more near the tennis court and one adjacent to the play equipment. The park contains a range of childrens play equipment.
Adjacent to the car park is the dog exercise area. Within the dog exercise area are a number of jumps, a tunnel, elevated walkway and posts to weave through, if your dog is into that extra challenge.
Tennis Court
The park contains a hard surface tennis court.
This is available for use by the public during the summer months for no charge. The court can be booked for a one hour period by a member of the public by entering their name on the sheet contained inside the box by the tennis court gate against a particular time.
It is requested that members of the public respect this informal system by:
- only occupying the court if they have booked it
- only occupying the court for their allotted one hour
- not occupying the court for longer than one hour at any one visit
- leaving no litter
Car Parking
Pay and Display car park charges apply daily during the period April to September inclusive between the hours of 10a.m. and 6p.m.
Charges
| Car | Minibus | Bus | |
| 0-1 hour | £0.30 | £1.20 | £3.00 |
| 1-4 hours | £0.70 | £3.00 | £7.50 |
| 4-8 hours | £1.50 | £6.00 | £15.00 |
| Season ticket | £20.00 | £80.00 | £200.00 |
Further Information
Haddo House, the National Trust for Scotland -
tea room and shop 01651 851440
Haddo Arts Trust 01651 851770
Haddo Choral and Operatic Society 01651 851111
