Gardens to visit in Dorset

Dorset is one of my favourite counties in England with many beautiful gardens to visit. With historic Manor Houses you will be spoilt for choice and you really need a week to ensure that you do not miss anything.

The rolling delightful countryside around Dorchester is known as 'Hardy country' and you can visit the House and Garden of Thomas Hardy who wrote such stories as 'Far from the Madding Crowd. Near here you can also visit the historic Athelhampton House, and Kingston Maurward Gardens. Other great Gardens can be found near Bridport and Weymouth.

Down towards the Heritage coast and Chesil Beach you must visit Abbotsbury Gardens which has interest all the year round. It also has great displays of Rhododendrons in Spring and early summer.

RHS Partner Garden

Abbotsbury Gardens, near Weymouth

Dorset, Superb sub tropical Abbotsbury Gardens set in beautiful coastal location close to Chesil Beach.

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Historic Houses

Athelhampton House and Garden, near Dorchester

Dorset, The formal Arts and Crafts gardens at Athelhampton House were built in 1891 by Alfred Cart de Lafontaine.

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Careys Secret Garden, near Wareham

Dorset, Hidden behind a 150-year-old wall, nestled amongst the rolling hills of the beautiful Isle of Purbeck in Dorset sits a Secret Garden just waiting to be discovered.

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RHS Partner Garden

Compton Acres Gardens, near Poole

Dorset, Compton Acres has 10 acres of gardens with lovely views over Poole Harbour and the distant Purbeck Hills.

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Cranborne Manor and Gardens, near Wimborne

Dorset, This delightful garden surrounds the ancient Cranborne Manor House set in the beautiful Dorset countryside.

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RHS Partner Garden

Forde Abbey and Gardens

Somerset, One of Britain's finest gardens surrounding the the historic 12th century Abbey. A garden for all seasons.

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Holiday Cottages

Holiday Cottages Dorset near gardens

Stay in a holiday Cottage in Dorset to visit the beautiful gardens close by

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National Trust

Kingston Lacy Gardens, Wimborne

Dorset, Kingston Lacy House and Gardens is 17th century Italian inspired family home surrounded by 300 acres of formal gardens and parkland

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RHS Partner Garden

Mapperton House and Gardens, near Beaminster

Dorset, Mapperton House and Garden are set hidden away in the most beautiful Dorset countryside.

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Historic Houses

Minterne Garden, near Dorchester

Dorset, Not that well known but Minterne Garden is a real gem tucked away in the Dorset countryside

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Museum of East Dorset formerly The Priests House Garden

Dorset, Take yourself back 40 years in this delightful small garden situated behind the Priests House in Wimborne.

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RHS Partner Garden

Sherborne Castle and Gardens

Dorset, This was one of Capability Brown's first commissions giving the Nation a magnificent Landscape Garden. The Castle is open.

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The Blue Pool

Dorset, The Blue Pool Wareham is a hidden gem set in The Isle of Purbeck. Whilst not really a garden it is a beautiful place to visit

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National Trust

Thomas Hardy's Cottage Garden, Dorchester

Dorset, The Thomas Hardy Cottage garden of around 1/3 acre is beautifully laid out with paths, cottage flowers and a vegetable patch.

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