Gardens in Dorset

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Planted as a kitchen garden in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester, today Abbotsbury Gardens bring together rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Scintillate your senses with a visit to the world famous camellia groves and magnolias, enjoy a sedate stroll in the walled gardens or go wild for the stunning woodland valley views. The BBC's Alan Titchmarsh declared them to be 'one of the finest gardens I have ever visited'. See for yourself. If it leaves your green fingers itching for some action, you can choose from a superb range of quality plants at the Specialist Plant Nursery.
www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens

Athelhampton House and Gardens
The beautifully preserved 15th Century manor house has stunning interiors resplendent with antique furnishings. The famous formal gardens incorporate a series of tranquil, sophisticated spaces, including the great court with its giant pyramids, simple plantings of roses, clematis and tulips, fountains and pools laden with water lillies, a canal and the River Piddle. The 15th Century dovecote still houses white doves. Stop off for some home-cooked refreshment at the Topiary Restaurant. Open March to October.
www.athelhampton.co.uk

Compton Acres
Ten acres of beautifully managed gardens including Italian, Roman, water and Japanese areas. Built in the 1920s by a margarine entrepeneur to reflect his worldwide travels and interest in horticulture, Compton Acres is a fine example of an historic garden in the late Victorian Mixed Style design.
www.comptonacres.co.uk

Kingston Maurward Gardens
Formal gardens in the ‘Arts and Crafts’ style of the Edwardian era in the grounds of Kingston Maurward House. Thomas Hardy was a frequent visitor to the house as a boy, and it features as 'Knapwater House' in his novel Desperate Remedies. Children can meet Button and Pebbles the donkeys in the animal park, as well as miniature Shetland ponies, goats, pigs, rabbits, ducks, emus and peacocks. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the large picnic area. There is also a refreshment kiosk, visitor centre and shop.
www.kmc.ac.uk/gardens

Mapperton Gardens
A terraced valley garden complete with grottos, a great lawn, topiary, croquet lawn, an orangery and 17th Century fish ponds, surrounding a Tudor/Jacobean sandstone manor house, home to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. Used as a location in Jane Austen's Emma, Restoration and Tom Jones. Open March to October.
www.mapperton.com

Minterne House and Gardens
Minterne House and Gardens nestle in a valley in the beautiful Dorest countryside, described by Simon Jenkins in 'England's 1000 Best Houses' as a "corner of paradise". The 18th Century gardens feature lakes, waterfalls, all kinds of rare trees and an incredible rhododendron collection. A profusion of spring bulbs and magnolias provide the colour in spring, followed by flowering Japanese cherries and streams lined with primulas and other water plants in summer. The garden is particularly noted for its autumn colouring. Open March to November.
www.minterne.co.uk