5 fabulous gardens in Dorset

Dorset offers a great range of gardens which are wonderful places to go when you’re looking for a feast for the eyes and a quiet retreat to simply stroll around or sit and contemplate the beautiful natural surroundings. We’ve selected 5 fabulous gardens in Dorset that really stand out and offer enticing explorations for keen gardeners as well as visitors who are looking for a relaxing day out in Dorset.

Abbotsbury Gardens

The Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens stretch over 20 acres and feature plants from all over the globe. The gardens won the 2012 award for HHA/Christie's Garden of the Year and are renowned for their camellia groves, magnolias, rhododendrons and hydrangeas, as well as the lovely Victorian Garden. A variety of events are held in the gardens each year including outdoor theatre and concert events as well as the annual floodlighting of the gardens. Entry to the gardens costs £10.95 for adults and £7.95 for children aged 5 to 15.

Knoll Gardens

Knoll Gardens is home to England’s most extensive grass collection as well as rare trees and shrubs and also flowering perennials. Autumn is the best time to visit but the gardens provide intriguing sights throughout the year. The gardens spread over four acres and in addition to offering a lovely place to spend a few relaxing hours, they provide excellent inspiration for how to use ornamental grasses at home. There is also an onsite nursery that specialises in ornamental grasses, shrubs and perennials which visitors may be keen to explore if they are eager to implement some of the plants they have seen in their own garden. Entry to the gardens costs £5.95 for adults and £4.25 for children aged 5 to 15 years old.

Athelhampton

Athelhampton boasts a beautiful 15th century manor house but equally striking are the surrounding gardens which incorporate a mix of formal and informal landscapes. Highlights of these architectural gardens include the Great Court which features eye-catching yew trees shaped like pyramids, as well as a canal filled with water lilies. Some of the plants in the gardens include roses, magnolias, tulips and clematis. Tickets for the house and gardens are cheapest if purchased online and these cost £9.38 for adults and £1.88 for children.

Mapperton

Mapperton boasts beautiful valley gardens that encompass a croquet lawn on the highest level, followed by an Italianate garden that includes grottoes, fountains and stone ornaments. The bottom of the garden features fish ponds dating from the 17th century and the wild garden contains an orangery in addition to specimen trees and shrubs. Access to the gardens costs £6 for adults, £3 for children under 18 years old and is free for children younger than 5.

Snape Cottage Plantsman's Garden

Snape Cottage Plantsman's Garden is a charming English country garden that offers year-round interest to visitors thanks to a diverse collection of plants. These range from the likes of snowdrops and hellebores to dianthus and auriculas to name a few. The garden has a pond and a hay meadow and 61 species of bird have been seen within it. Entry is £3.50 for adults and there is no charge for children younger than 16 years old.

A world of enticements waiting to be discovered

Each of these beautiful gardens boasts a range of alluring landscapes that will have visitors eager to explore them at an unhurried pace. You don’t need to be a gardening expert to take pleasure out of a visit to these gardens and even if you are, they certainly won’t leave you disappointed. The layouts and range of plants are great for providing ideas that you can implement if you have your own garden space. After spending some time in these gardens you’re sure to leave feeling relaxed and filled with the joys of nature’s diverse and beautiful wonders.