Visiting an English garden can be one of the best days out for everyone to enjoy. From the beautiful blossoming flowers, lakes, mini waterfalls and streams and the calming atmosphere guaranteed to relax you.
Gardens can bring an enormous sense of calm and are great for your mental well-being. It’s almost impossible not to visit one and feel natural joy from being outside in the fresh air.
Many of the gardens in this post feature beautiful manor houses of Dorset, restaurants and cafes and fun for all the family.
Have fun checking out this list of the most beautiful gardens in Dorset.
1. Carey’s Secret Garden
Carey’s Secret Garden is a gorgeous hidden gem in Wareham. A 3.5-acre Victorian walled garden is being restored to its former glory after being left unused and overgrown for years.
The location is kept secret for a bit of fun and is revealed after booking your tickets. There is an onsite cafe, ‘The Secret Salt Pig’, and regular workshops and activities to attend.
There’s also a cute little mud kitchen for the little ones to enjoy. A perfect little haven hidden from the busy outside world.
2. Sculpture Gardens By The Lakes
With 26 acres of nature and art, this unique sculpture park is great for anyone who is looking for a chilled day outside. The gardens are full of fantastic and eye-catching sculptures for you to admire.
There is also ‘The Kitchen’, which serves delicious mouthwatering food. ‘The Makers Yard’ sells handmade items from Dorset locals, and ‘The Pantry’ offers food that’s locally sourced, such as cheeses and breads, but also offers salads and sandwiches for you to enjoy a picnic around the grounds.
3. Compton Acres
Compton Acres offers a range of different gardens, each with a unique twist and theme.
From the Grand Italian Garden to the Japanese and Heather Garden, there’s so much to explore, and you can spend all day taking in the beautiful plants and flowers.
You are able to relax in the gardens and listen to the flowing waterfalls or chill in the woodland play area with the children. There’s also an onsite restaurant, gift shop, Italian Pantry and a plant centre.
4. Kingston Lacy
Part of The National Trust, Kingston Lacy is a beautiful place to spend the day. Visitors are able to take a look around the magnificent house and are free to roam around the many beautiful gardens they have to offer.
There’s a Japanese-inspired garden, woodlands, a cute English garden and more.
Don’t forget to check out the stunning Red Ruby Devon cattle! Kingston Lacy welcomes children and has two brilliant play areas that you’ll struggle to get them out of. An onsite cafe, a secondhand book shop and a National Trust gift shop.
5. Knoll Gardens
Knoll Gardens in Wimborne is, in some ways, unique as it focuses a lot of different grasses throughout their gardens.
The beautiful long textures and natural colours make it a relaxing and enjoyable visit. Throughout the year, there is a range of different plants to see, so the garden is always thriving.
The gardens are intended to be an enjoyable place for people and the wildlife in the area. Providing a safe haven for the likes of hedgehogs, dragonflies, bees, butterflies and moths.
There are also a number of workshops that you can experience, such as a yoga class in the gardens, garden photography and watercolour workshops.
6. Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Take a walk through the stunning Victorian subtropical gardens of Abbotsbury.
Famous for its magnificent Rhododendrons and Hydrangeas, this is a beautiful place and an excellent place to visit with your loved ones.
There is also a viewpoint from which you can enjoy a stunning view of the Jurassic Coast. You can sit and relax in the gardens on a pretty swing chair and take in the views and sounds of this beautiful county.
There is an onsite cafe that sells a range of food locally sourced, such as sandwiches and cornish pasties, or you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of cider.
Don’t forget to check out the bronze sculptures by leading contemporary sculptor Simon Gudgeon.
7. Sherborne Castle and Gardens
There’s lots to discover at Sherborne Castle and Gardens. Tickets vary but there is an option to buy tickets to explore the castle and the gardens or either separately.
Offering 42 acres of gardens, they’re grade II listed and offer the perfect English landscape. There are two suggested walking trails, each no more than 3k, or you can do them both and experience the whole of the gardens.
Children are very welcome, and they can take part in certain events throughout the year, such as pumpkin picking in autumn, nature trails and easter egg hunts.
Wildlife is abundant throughout the gardens and lake; there is also something to see every season, from its spring bulbs and daffodils to the beautiful autumnal colours by the lake.
There are also a number of events that take place, such as Classic and Supercars at the castle or the Autumn Colours weekend.
8. Athelhampton House
Athelhampton House is full to the brim with history and the house is considered one of the most haunted places in Dorset.
The gardens are welcoming, with lots of greenery and beautifully pristine with cone-shaped bushes. With your tickets, you can explore the house and gardens, spending time enjoying the rich history of the grounds.
There is a shop inside that supplies locally sourced foods and drinks, books, souvenirs, postcards and art made by local artists.
There are two places to eat: ‘The Coach House’, which offers light bites, cream teas and so on. Or you can be pleased by a delicious traditional roast dinner from ‘The Long Hall’ restaurant, which serves on Sundays.
9. Littlebredy Walled Gardens
Between Bridport and Dorchester, you’ll be able to find the beautiful Littlebredy Walled Gardens.
A stunning south-facing Victorian walled sloped garden with the River Bride flowing throughout. The gardens are slowly being restored from not being used during the 20th century.
Visitors can take pleasure in the vintage greenhouse and stone buildings, 1,200 feet of flower borders and vegetable patches.
10. Bennetts Water Gardens
Bennetts Water Gardens is famous for its breathtaking ponds, wildlife and flowers.
Most famously, the gardens with their bridge and pond full of gorgeous water lilies look like a Monet painting brought to life. So much so that there’s an onsite cafe called the ‘Monet Cafe’, serving lunches, cakes, hot drinks and cream teas.
Children are welcome and can play on the giant checker’s board and spot the ducks with their cute fluffy ducklings swimming in tandem in the ponds.
11. Mapperton House, Gardens and Wildlands
Mapperton House and Gardens is a fantastic place to spend the day with your family. From taking a look around the manor house to exploring the gardens with its rich wildlife and amazing countryside.
There is a ‘Coach House’ cafe serving colourful salads, sandwiches, hot drinks and so on.
There’s a rustic, woodland themed play area which will keep the children entertained with its rope swings and water play with running water, tunnels and funnels to splash around in.
There are also lots of events held at Mapperton, such as Creepy Crawly Week and Birds of Prey experiences.
12. Holme for Gardens
Holme for Gardens is a beautiful place to see lots of different plants, flowers and the wildlife that comes with it.
There are different gardens for you to explore, such as the Ornamental Garden, Holme Hedge Garden, Amphitheatre, Butterfly Alley and so on.
Not only is it home to beautiful landscapes you can visit the garden centre, farm shop and cafe where you can find ‘Holme made’ scones.
13. Forde Abbey and Gardens
Forde Abbey is a stunning manor house and gardens nominated for Historic Garden of the Year 2019.
Everyone is welcome and can enjoy 30 acres of fun. Appreciate the neatly presented gardens such as The Swirl Garden, Woodland Garden, Bog Garden and Kitchen Garden with its multiple gorgeous greenhouses or The Mount with blooms galore!
Concerts and family show events are also held here.
14. Walled Garden of Moreton
The Walled Garden Moreton is a lovely set of gardens for you to enjoy with all the family.
You can find gardens such as the Kitchen Garden, the Mediterranean Garden, the Wedding Garden and so on. Each with its own unique charm and twist.
There is an onsite cafe selling mouthwatering meals and light bites, and you can also buy some plants at the plant shop.
There are also experience days for you to enjoy, such as the half-term bug experience and Alice in Wonderland experience.
15. Edmondsham House and Gardens
Edmondsham House in Wimborne is primarily a family home but you can visit from April to October.
The house and gardens are open on Wednesdays. With six acres to explore, it is everything a traditional English garden should look like, with its blooming flowers, fresh green lawns and trees surrounding the areas.
If you’re looking for somewhere for peace and quiet with great surroundings then this is the place to go. Weddings are also held here, providing a stunning setting for the big day.
16. Minterne Gardens
Minterne Gardens is famous for its collection of Himalayan Rhododendrons, Azaleas and rare trees. The house sadly, isn’t open to the public but is open for private functions such as weddings.
Not to worry, though, as you can still enjoy the delightful house from the outside and the beautiful gardens surrounding it.
With its small lakes and waterfalls and relaxing and tranquil atmosphere, Minterne Gardens is featured in The Guardian’s top 25 gardens to visit.
They also host events such as spring fairs and an evening of opera.
17. Kingston Maurward Park and Gardens
Kingston Maurward in Dorchester is a fantastic day out for all the family. The gardens are 35 acres of pure beauty and full of places to explore.
Whether you want a relaxing morning sat by the lake, or you bring the children along for a full day of outdoor adventure.
You can stroll through the many different gardens, such as the Japanese, the Crown and the Brick Garden or go see the national plant collections.
The animal park hosts a wide range of animals for you to enjoy, such as guinea pigs, donkeys, ponies, rabbits, alpacas, pigs and more!
There is a cafe for you to enjoy and indoor and outdoor play areas for children (and big kids!)
There you are! 17 great gardens of Dorset. I hope you enjoyed reading this article and have found your next day out from the many beautiful places listed. Have a great time!
