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Accessibility and Diversity

The Ditchley Foundation is committed to ensuring and encouraging access for everyone.

Ditchley has been independently owned and run by The Ditchley Foundation, set up by philanthropist Sir David Wills, since 1958. Its 290 acres of grounds are set in a further 3550 acres managed sustainably by the HDH Wills Charitable Trust, which provides grants to conserve the environment and wildlife.

The Ditchley Foundation is committed to ensuring and encouraging access for everyone, regardless of ability, age, gender, cultural or social background, sexual orientation, faith, location or wealth.

Statement of access

Our statement of access sets out The Ditchley Foundation’s commitment to maximising access and identifies the ways in which we achieve this across the organisation and where we are working to improve.

Statement of principles

  • Ditchley works with people from across the world to help sustain peace, freedom and order.
  • We are not tied to the agenda of any government, political party or commercial interest.
  • The Foundation seeks to have a diversity of opinion on the Council of Management and Governors.
  • Ditchley is transparent about its finances, including its sources of funding. We disclose all donations and identify corporate, foundation and government donors and sponsors in our annual reports. We seek to maintain a diversity of funding from foundations, individual donors, corporate sponsorships and membership fees in order to retain our independence.
  • Programme content and participation are determined independently of sponsors.

In addition, Ditchley retains editorial control over all the Foundation's publications and events.

Physical access

  • Since habitation on the estate began in 1500, Ditchley has a unique ecosystem that includes many rare plants and animals and birds.
  • Public footpaths cut across parts of the estate offering opportunities to enjoy the wildlife. Plans are underway for some pre-bookable guided tours around the lake and Pleasure Grounds.
  • When not being used by The Ditchley Foundation, Ditchley Park hosts private events for selected institutions and companies and is used for location hire and specialist photography.
  • Ditchley is open to the public via pre-booked tours operating on set days throughout the year when the house is not being used by the Foundation. An online booking system for admission times and charges will be available on the website soon. Concessions are available for supervised school parties.
  • Offering free access by appointment, our archives are open to researchers and historical groups for research purposes.
  • Internal and external photography of the mansion and grounds is allowed for research and non-commercial use.
  • There is free parking onsite and Blue Badge parking can be found at the front of the house.
  • Ramp access is available to the ground floor of the house only.
  • Assistance dogs are welcome in the house and garden.

Digital access

Our digital access enables opportunity to engage with our programme, Ditchley Park, its art collection, archives and resources. We do this by:

  • Providing a rich online experience ensuring that Ditchley is a welcoming and inclusive organisation and that comprehensive information can be found detailing our programme and facilities on our website.
  • A fully searchable website where historic conference notes can be found. Similar work is underway for our archives.
  • Ditchley is a member of the platform Smartify – a free online resource ensuring opportunities for people from all over the world to engage with Ditchley’s art, artists and heritage, including an audio tour.