Things to do in Dorset, England: The Best Gardens

Beautiful 26 acre Sculpture Park & Gardens, with Gallery cafe. Due to deep water NO CHILDREN UNDER 14 years of age (including babies) and NO DOGS are allowed. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, hut bookings are from 10am to 4.45pm. Entry is £12.50 per person. The Gallery Cafe is now open serving tea, coffee, light meals, delicious cakes, cream tea's, ice creams etc., visitors can choose to eat inside, outside (at the newly created seating area), or take it out into the Sculpture Park using one of the picnic baskets provided, complete with rug. Visitors are able to enjoy the Gallery & Gallery Cafe without entry to the Sculpture Park. Described as one of the most beautiful & unique sculpture parks in the United Kingdom, Sculpture by the Lakes marries the soft beauty of nature's wild river landscape with the more formal presentation of monumental outdoor sculpture. It is that combination of art and landscape that inspires Sculpture by the Lakes.

Former productive grounds within the Bridehead Estate at Littlebredy, with the River Bride stream flowing through the Walled Garden. There are 1200ft of herbaceous borders with roses and lavender, soft fruit and vegetable potagers. Teas available. Open Wed, Sun & BH Mons 2pm to 5pm (to 6pm in June & July) from Easter Sunday to end-September. Free parking.

Thorngrove Garden Centre is a traditional garden centre in the heart of Gillingham for over 50 years. As well as a fantastic selection of home grown plants, pots and large gardening selection we also have The Secret Garden Cafe (now open) for the best homemade coffee and cakes, our Garden Shop providing garden accessories and gifts, as well as several glass houses and nurseries.

Athelhampton House is one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses. Dating from 1485, the Great Hall is a fine example of domestic Tudor architecture, the house has many interesting rooms, filled with antique furnishings and art. The Gardens remodelled in 1891 surround the House, with many 'compartments' built with Ham stone, each with a different style or theme, each with a water feature of a pond or fountain. The Great Court features the 12 world famous giant yew tree pyramids. The House and Gardens are protected by a Grade 1 listing, and are well maintained to protect for future generations. An excellent visitor centre with restaurant, tea room, gift shop and plant sales area complete the attraction. Enjoy a great Lunch or afternoon tea. See our website for special offers.

Sherborne Castle & Gardens is a wonderful day out. Visit our historic castle and walk through 400 years of history, explore 42 acres of “capability” Brown landscape gardens and take time to enjoy a delicious cream tea in our tea room. Why not browse in the gift shop & pick up a bottle of our very own Sherborne Castle Wine to take home to drink with your supper!

For up to date visitor information, including opening days and times, please see our website. Mapperton is a glorious sandstone manor house and romantic valley garden deep in a lost Dorset combe among tumbling hills and unspoiled countryside. Fifteen acres of gardens descend from the croquet lawn, through the formal topiary down to the wild garden. Mapperton is the home of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. Mapperton successfully obtained VisitEngland ‘We’re Good To Go’ COVID-19 certification and carried out a full COVID-19 risk assessment before implementing current safety procedures.

Voted the Historic Houses Association /Christie's Garden of the Year 2012. Acclaimed by Alan Titchmarsh as "one of the finest Gardens I have ever visited." Regularly featured on TV, most recently for a BBC Gardeners' World feature on camellias, with the excellent Carol Klein and expert Jennifer Trehane, and in James Wong's outstanding episode of the BBC's Great British Garden Revival series, on tropical gardens. Established in 1765.

Upper, Central and Lower Gardens have all been Green Flag winners since 1999 and run from Bournemouth pier to the boundary with Poole. The gardens are 3 kilometres long. They are all part of the Bourne Valley Greenway and are Listed Grade II in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens. There are lots of activities and events taking place, or you can simply enjoy the scenery. Find out more about the history of the gardens here. The Lower Gardens This section of the gardens is quite short, it runs from the pier to the town centre, but there is always lots going on. Year-round attractions include Classic mini golf, a bandstand, refreshment kiosks and Street food corner site, an aviary, and art exhibition. Seasonal events in this section of the gardens attract thousands of visitors. In 2018 the gardens became the main setting for the Christmas Tree Wonderland.