Turn End is one of three houses designed and built in the 1960s by internationally renowned architect Peter Aldington in the village of Haddenham, Buckinghamshire.
The three houses received a Royal Institute of British Architects Award for Architecture in 1970 and were listed at Grade II* in 2006; only a handful of post war houses are listed at this grade. In November 2017 Historic England listed Turn End’s garden at Grade II and added it to the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. At that time Turn End was the only post-war listed house and garden created by the same hand.
As modern housing, made of wood, concrete block and glass, in a traditional setting, the group has always been celebrated as a rare British representative amongst the best of European housing design and has welcomed visitors from all over the world. Turn End's garden, designed and made by Peter as a natural extension to the house, grew with the buildings, maturing into a world renowned garden. Turn End has provided teaching material for students of architecture and landscape design, been written about nationally and internationally and photographed widely.
Visit us:
Turn End is still the Aldington family home. It is not open every day but we are delighted to welcome visitors at one of our public events or by booking a group visit by appointment to the garden. Friends of Turn End can also book a self-guided visit to the garden throughout the year. Please find out more about visiting including directions and parking advice on our Visit & Contact page.
About
Find out about Peter Aldington's three award-winning village houses and Grade II Listed garden.
June 2025
We are hiring! Community Engagement Lead Consultancy
With growing interest in Turn End as a space for learning, we need to know more about what audiences need from us and why. Now in its 60th year, this unique mid-century modern site has the potential to reach many more people in the local and wider community. While most design and art-focused houses have taken on a second life as a museum, the Trust feels strongly that the legacy of Turn End should remain a living, active place where people can engage in different ways, and feel like they are exploring a home, not a museum.
We’re seeking an experienced educator, skilled in establishing and growing partnerships within educational settings and community groups. As a community engagement lead, you’ll have a track record in developing and leading new areas of engagement work. We’re looking for someone enthusiastic, personable and organised who will work alongside Turn End’s Head Gardener and Estate Manager, the Trust’s Membership and Events Co-ordinator, and its Board of Trustees. Closes: Friday 18th July 2025. Find out more here.
May 2025
Building the Future: Turn End 2045
We have embarked on an ambitious project called Building the Future: Turn End 2045. We are working with our friends, supporters and stakeholders to nurture new ideas and new partnerships to help Turn End grow and contribute to the community in more powerful and positive ways. Read more about our current study and be sure we will create ways for you to share your thoughts and ideas.
April 2025
Mediterranean plants for Turn End’s dry garden
Last April, our Gardener Jackie Hunt visited Corfu on a botanical study trip to explore gardens and discover wildflowers. Since then she has been sharing her research through a report, a series of lectures and experimenting with introducing some of the plants that she admired to the dry garden here at Turn End. You can download her plant list here.
Watch the talk online - Turn End with Garden Masterclass
If you missed the talk about Turn End talk by our gardener, Jackie Hunt, for Garden Masterclass you can now watch it for free on Garden Masterclass’ You Tube channel here.
Turn End features on Grand Designs: The Streets, Series 2, Episode 3
We were delighted to hear how self builders John and Julia were inspired by Turn End for their own home at Graven Hill, Oxfordshire. In the programme, aired 27 April 2022, presenter Kevin McCloud describes Turn End as an “architectural masterpiece…a place of pilgrimage for architects and self builders”. Come and find your inspiration at one of our house and garden events this year.
Volunteering Opportunities
Escape for an hour or two into nature and reap the wellbeing and uplifting benefits Turn End has to offer. We are looking for volunteers to join our friendly team and assist us in the running of our events programme. There are various roles from garden preparation, to house and garden hosts, catering, book and plant sales. Roles can be tailored to fit your skills and availability. For more information please get in touch: turnendtrustevents@gmail.com or complete our online volunteer form.
