Pitmedden Garden accessibility guide

Getting here

Pitmedden Garden
Ellon
Aberdeenshire
AB41 7PD

By car

Pitmedden Garden lies on the boundaries of Pitmedden village, 16 miles north of Aberdeen on the B999. Following road signs for the A90 north coming through Aberdeen, on reaching the Bridge of Don retail park roundabout, look out for the road sign to Pitmedden. Upon reaching the village, look out for the road sign for Oldmeldrum and turn left. Follow through the village and take the next right towards Ellon, marked by the A920. The entrance lies a half mile further along. Look out for the National Trust for Scotland sign. 

Please note that sat navs tend to direct you to the work area or residential estate homes. Once you get to Pitmedden village, please follow the brown signage provided by Aberdeenshire Council. 

Parking

• Upon arrival at the entrance to the grounds, please note that a one-way system is in operation. A tarred driveway will lead you to the car park. A vehicle bump is situated 70 yards from the entrance.
• Go past the main house on your left. Next left is the public car park. 

Accessible Blue Badge parking

• Blue Badge holders will find three parking bays to the left of the pay machine.
• During busy periods, you may find that all bays are occupied. We will always try to find somewhere for you to park. Unfortunately, we are unable to reserve parking spaces ahead of your visit. If you require assistance from a staff member to find a suitable parking space, please call 01651 842352.
• After parking, there is a gap in the hedge which takes you onto a path to our main entrance, 30 yards away.

Please note that Pitmedden Garden car park is open daily between 9.30am–4.30pm. The car park is locked/secured overnight.

On a safety point, there are no designated pathways through the car park to our entrance. All visitors should be mindful of traffic as they cross the car park to the entrance path.

By public transport

If you arrive by bus (from Aberdeen on the No. 290/291 or from Ellon on the No. 49), leave the bus at the Bonnyton Road bus stop and walk as if you are leaving Pitmedden village until you join the Pitmedden Garden estate walk, starting just outside the village. Follow the estate walk around to the entrance of the garden.

Pitmedden Garden is part of ScotRail’s 2-for-1 initiative, which allows two adults to enter for the price of one when they present a valid rail ticket and a paper voucher.

Find out more and download your voucher from the ScotRail website

Dogs

Dogs are welcome inside the walled garden on short leads. Owners should keep them on the lead and under close control. Areas of the estate have grazing sheep and cattle as well as nesting birds. The wooded walk area is home to deer and other animals. A dog waste bin is located within the public car park. 

Mobile signal

There is good mobile reception throughout the estate. In an emergency between 9am–5pm please ring 01651 842352. If there is no answer or the emergency occurs outside these times, please call 999. 

What3words: ///looms.hamper.helm

Facilities

Toilets

• The toilet building is behind the trees at the back of the car park.
• There are baby changing facilities within the female toilets.
• There is also an assisted toilet within the main house. Ask a member of staff for access.

Shop

• The shop is at the end of the path from the car park.
• You will enter an outdoor seating area, where you will find our recycling bins.
• Visitors can view and purchase retail items, and you can also purchase a ticket to enter the historical walled garden and a membership for the National Trust for Scotland.

Entrance doors range from 82–88cm, including the assisted toilet door. Thresholds are flat. There is a circulation space of 1m. The counter height is 97cm.

Tearoom

• Take a seat, browse the menu, take a note of your table number and order at the main counter.
• We offer gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Speak to a member of staff about dietary requirements.
• For children, we can provide a half portion or a lunch bag. We source our menu products from local suppliers.
• There are also daily specials. Please see our specials board.
• All our soups are homemade and are gluten-free.
• We can refill your water bottle, just ask a member of staff.

Picnic area

There is a grassed picnic area to the rear of the car park.

Getting around the garden

Walled garden

• Assess is through the shop/tearoom. Visitors will need to negotiate steps between garden levels.
• For wheelchair users, ask a member of staff for safe access, which entails a varied pathway. As mentioned in the introduction, pathways are wheelchair friendly in terms of width. In the garden, pathways are mainly gravel and grass.
• There are two fountains within the historical garden, one at ground level.
• There is seating in both the upper and lower garden areas.

Wooded area

Surrounding the garden and main house is the wider estate, which features marked rough walking paths that follow yellow signs. These paths begin from the far side of the car park.

Emergency assembly area

This is located at the far side of the public car park next to the nature house. Guests should proceed there calmly under the direction of staff and fire marshals.

Guide last updated: July 2025