Destination Wessex

Formerly the garden of Penelope Hobhouse, this 5 acre Edwardian garden is best known for its 2 acre curved wall garden and extensive colour co- ordinated borders. Many herbaceous plants originated here.

Opening Times: Thurs.-Sun., Mar.-end Sept., 10.00-17.00.

Entrance fee: £4.00
Website: www.hadspen.freeserve.co.uk

Landscaped by Capability Brown in the 1760Æs with a 13 acre lake and specimen trees including an Oriental Plane with a circumference of 200 yards.

Opening Times: Sat & Sun only Oct-Mar. Mar-Sep. 11.00 to 17.30 ex Mondays

Entrance fee: £5.00 Groups £4.50
Daytime Tel: 01249 701610
Email: leonora.martin@corsham-court.co.uk
Website: www.corsham-court.co.uk

The 5 acre garden close to the 12thC Abbey contains the largest private collection of roses in Britain, as well as a vinery, fruit trees and herbs.

Opening Times: 21 March-21 October. Daily 11am - 5.30 pm. Only guide dogs.

Entrance fee: Adults £5.50. Family £13. Concessions.
Daytime Tel: 01666 822212
Email: info@abbeyhousegardens.co.uk
Website: www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk

Established in 1765 and extended to 20 acres of Grade 1 listed magnificent woodland valley gardens. The collection contains rare and exotic plants.

Opening Times: Every day except Christmas. Mar-Oct 10am-5/6pm. Winter 10am-4pm.

Entrance fee: Adult. £7.50. Concessions.
Daytime Tel: 01305 871130
Email: info@abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk
Website: www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk

Athelhampton is one of the finest 15thC manors. Its Tudor Great Hall is exceptional. Its Grade 1 listed award winning gardens date from 1891.

Opening Times: Mar to Oct 10.30am – 5.00pm Sunday to Thursday. Nov-Feb Sundays only 10.30am – 5.00pm.

Entrance fee: Adults £8.50. Concessions
Daytime Tel: 01305 848363
Email: enquiry@athelhampton.co.uk
Website: www.athelhampton.co.uk

Avebury Manor was built in the 16th century. Its 5 acre ancient walled gardens are on the site of a former priory. Close to the World Heritage Site.

Opening Times: 1 April-31 Oct. 1100-1700 daily except Wed, Thur

Entrance fee: Garden £3, house and garden £4
Daytime Tel: 01672 539250
Email: avebury@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wessex

An enchanting garden inspired by a design prepared by Gertrude Jekyll.

Opening Times: Daily Apr - Nov. 1100 to 1700. 2-17 Dec 1100 to 1600.

Entrance fee: Adults £7, children £3, groups £6
Daytime Tel: 01460 243121
Email: nikki.white@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wessex

Its 19th century gardens include a formal Victorian garden and a particularly interesting wilderness garden.

Entrance fee: £14
Daytime Tel: 01590 614 605
Email: stephen.munn@beaulieu.co.uk
Website: www. beaulieu.co.uk

Over 2,000 acres of gardens and grounds were landscaped by Capability Brown between 1762 and 1766.

Opening Times: 1 April-31 Oct. 11.00-18.00, house 11.00-17.00

Entrance fee: £7.50 house and gardens. Rhododendron walks in season £4.50
Daytime Tel: 01249 812102
Email: c.snape@bowood.org
Website: www.bowood.org

It contains a secret garden, winter garden, a woodland, a sunken rose garden and a silver border

Opening Times: April to October. Sundays, Wednesdays, Thurdays . 2 - 6pm

Entrance fee: £4.00
Daytime Tel: 01380 722 035
Website: www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/broadleas.htm

A Queen Anne manor house with a 5 acre garden including lawns, colourful herbaceous borders and a new rose garden.

Opening Times: Easter to end September Suns only. 11am - 5pm

Entrance fee: £3.50
Daytime Tel: 01258 830 858

This magical, romantic, garden surrounds what is said to be a fine example of a small classic medieval manor.

Opening Times: Easter-Sept. Weds., Thurs., Suns., Bank Holidays, 2-6pm

Entrance fee: £4.50
Daytime Tel: 01823 672283
Email: cothaymanor@realemail.co.uk
Website: www.nowebsite.co.uk

The Norman castle was made into a house in the 19th century. Great views over the countryside.

Opening Times: Daily 18 Mar.-29 Oct., 10.00-17.00. 1 Jan-17 Mar. and 30 Oct.-31 Dec. 11.00-16.00

Entrance fee: £7.50 house and Garden, £4.10 garden and park only
Daytime Tel: 01643 821314
Email: dunstercastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wessex

A Grade I listed English country cottage garden. the inspiration of Margery Fish. South West Tourism's Small Visitor Attraction of 2006 Silver Award.

Opening Times: 10.00-17.00

Entrance fee: £3.95
Daytime Tel: 01460 240328
Email: enquiries@eastlambrook.com
Website: www.eastlambrook.com

Award winning gardens with over 200 acres of natural beauty and horticultural variety. World famous displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.

Opening Times: 8 Mar - 8 Nov. 10.00am to 5.00pm last admission. Gates close 6pm.

Entrance fee: Adults: £8.00, Seniors £7.50. Children £1.50. Family ticket £18.50
Daytime Tel: 023 8089 1203
Email: nigel.philpott@exbury.co.uk
Website: www.exbury.co.uk

Founded by Cistercian monks over 800 years ago, it has a 30 acre award winning garden. South West Tourism's Small Visitor Attraction of 2006.

Opening Times: 10am - 4.30pm.

Entrance fee: House and garden £7.00. Groups (20+) £5.10
Daytime Tel: 01460 220 231
Email: fordeabbey@virgin.net
Website: www.fordeabbey.co.uk

This is the garden of a mill that dates back to the 12th century and that is still in good working order.

Opening Times: 15 May-end Sept., Thurs., Sun., Holiday Mons., 2-5pm

Entrance fee: £3 garden only, groups by arrangement
Daytime Tel: 01749 812393
Email: shingler@gantsmill.ndo.co.uk
Website: www.gantsmill.co.uk

The gardens at Lower Severalls include a herb garden, mixed borders and island beds.

Opening Times: Mid Mar.-end Sept., Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat., 10.00-17.00 or by appointment

Entrance fee: £3.00
Daytime Tel: 01460 73234
Email: mary@lowerseveralls.co.uk
Website: www.lowerseveralls.co.uk

This is the attractive walled garden of a 15th century manor house. It was laid out in the 20th century

Opening Times: Apr to Oct. Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun. 11am - 5pm.

Season: Apr to Oct.
Entrance fee: House and garden £5.00. Garden only £3.00
Daytime Tel: 01458 224 471
Email: lytescarymanor@nationaltrust.org,uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wessex

The gardens surround the Jacobean manor house. A unique valley garden.

Opening Times: Daily 1 Mar.-30 Oct. 14.00-18.00

Entrance fee: Gardens £4.00. Groups by arrangement.
Daytime Tel: 01308 862645
Email: office@mapperton.com
Website: www.mapperton.com

Set in a beautifully landscaped park, the formal Elizabethan garden has raised walks around herbaceous borders and topiary.

Opening Times: Mar - Oct 100 to 1800 except Tue. Nov - Mar 11-- to 1600 except Mon & Tue

Entrance fee: £4.50 garden only, house & garden £8.00
Daytime Tel: 01935 823289
Email: grahammeadows@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Internationally famous and unique collection of 12,000 types of hardy trees and shrubs in 180 acres, and boasts the largest Winter Garden in Europe.

Opening Times: 10am - 6pm all year except Christmas. No dogs.

Entrance fee: Adult £7.50. Concessions.
Daytime Tel: 01794 369318
Email: info@hilliergardens.org.uk
Website: www.hilliergardens.org.uk

Stourhead is best known as one of the most outstanding and beautiful of England's landscape gardens. There is also the fine house built in the 1720s.

Opening Times: Daily 9.00 to 19.00.

Entrance fee: £5.40 house, £9.40 house and garden
Daytime Tel: 01747 841152
Email: katherineboyd@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wessex

An example of the English style of garden at its best.

Opening Times: Daily except Weds., 25 Mar.-15 Oct., 11.00-17.30. Out of season by Appt. only

Entrance fee: £5. Groups £4.50
Daytime Tel: 01225 782340
Email: graham.heard@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wessex

A delightful and intimate walled garden created in the 20th century around a 17th century manor.

Opening Times: Daily except Mon., Tues., 22 March-29 Oct., 11.00-17.00. Open Bank Hol. Mons.

Entrance fee: £5.00
Daytime Tel: 01935 822545
Email: floydsummerhayes@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wessex

Delightful English cottage garden, partly terraced, plus an enchanting woodland.

Opening Times: early April-late Sept. Wed., Thurs. + some Suns. 14.00-17.00

Entrance fee: £3
Daytime Tel: 01747 840841
Website: www.gardenvisit.com/g/chif.com

Compton Acres Gardens are set in the beautiful area overlooking Poole Harbour.

Opening Times: April-September 09.00-18.00. Oct.-Mar. 09.00-16.00

Entrance fee: £5.95 summer, £2 winter
Daytime Tel: 01202 700778
Email: sales@comptonacres.co.uk
Website: www.comptoonacres.co.uk

Tall yew hedges divide the garden into several 'outdoor rooms'.

Opening Times: Weds. 1 March-30 Sept.

Entrance fee: £4
Daytime Tel: 01725 517781
Email: gardencentre@cranborne.co.uk
Website: www.cranborne.co.uk/cranborne_manor_garden

The main part of the garden houses a fine collection of plants, shrubs, roses and trees.

Opening Times: Daily except Mons., 10.00-17.00

Entrance fee: £3.75
Daytime Tel: 01722 782207

Stunning Edwardian gardens designed by Sir Edward Lutyens complemented by Gertrude Jekyll.

Opening Times: Daily, 10.00-18.00

Entrance fee: £5.75. Groups by arrangements 20+ £4.90
Daytime Tel: 01823 413923

A fine 20th century garden designed by Ralph Dutton the last Lord Sherborne.

Opening Times: Daily except Thurs., Fri., 18 Mar.-11 Oct., 11.00-17.00

Entrance fee: Garden £5.50, house and garden £6.50
Daytime Tel: 01962 771 305
Email: hintonampner@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The 5 acre Grade 2(star) garden surrounds the Cottage Ornee.

Opening Times: Weekends 1 Mar.,-30 Sept.,10.00-17.00. Weekdays except Weds., 14.00-17.00

Entrance fee: £5.00
Daytime Tel: 01264 810502
Email: info@houghtonlodge.co.uk
Website: www.houghtonlodge.co.uk

A classical 18th century park setting with lawns sweeping down from the Georgian house.

Opening Times: 5 Jan.-19 Dec. 10.00-17.30 or dusk if earlier

Entrance fee: £5.00 Groups (10+) £4.50
Daytime Tel: 01305 215003
Email: events@kmc.ac.uk
Website: www.kmc.ac.uk

This well maintained 6 acre garden has over 6,000 labelled plants from all over the world.

Opening Times: 2nd Feb.-17 Dec., Wed.-Sun., 10.00-17.00 or dusk if earlier.

Entrance fee: £2.75 winter, £4.25 main season, groups £3.25.
Daytime Tel: 01202 873931
Website: www.knollgardens.co.uk

A charming Grade II listed 2 acre garden is set high up on the slopes of the Mendip Hills.

Opening Times: Good Friday-31 Oct. Tues., Wed. and Sun. , 14.00-17.00

Entrance fee: £3.00. Groups by arrangement
Daytime Tel: 01749 672168

18th century landscape woodland gardens are laid out below Minterne House.

Opening Times: Daily 1 Mar.-31 Oct. 10.00-18.00

Entrance fee: £3.00
Daytime Tel: 01300 341 370
Email: enquiries@minterne.co.uk
Website: www.minterne.co.uk

A 12th Augustinian priory converted into a house at the time of the Dissolution.

Opening Times: 27 Feb.-2 June, Mon.-Wed., Sat, Sun. 30 June-2 Nov., 11.00-17.00. 9-29 June, daily, 11.00-20.30. 1 July-3 Sept., 11.00-17.00, closed Fri.

Entrance fee: £7.00 house and garden. £8.00 during rose season.
Daytime Tel: 01794 340757
Email: mottisfontabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Intimate 18th century landscape garden created by Ralph Allen advised by Alexander Pope.

Opening Times: Daily except Tue. 1 Feb.-29 Nov., 11.00-17.30. Daily except Mon., Tue., 3 Dec.-31 Jan., 11.00-dusk

Entrance fee: £4.00
Daytime Tel: 01225 833422
Email: Priorpark@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wessex

Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 and home of the Digby family since 1612.

Opening Times: Spring, Summer, Autumn. Daily 1 April-31 Oct. except Mon. and Fri., 11.00-16.30. Open Bank Holiday Mons.

Entrance fee: Gardens only £4.00. House and garden £8.00.
Daytime Tel: 01935 813182
Email: enquiries@sherbornecastle.com
Website: www.sherbornecaastle.com

The Grade 1, award winning Italianate garden is famous for its tranquil beauty.

Opening Times: April-Oct., Suns. 14.00-17.00. May-Sept., daily except Mon., Fri., 14.00-17.00

Entrance fee: £4.00
Email: ifordmanor@which.net
Website: www.ifordmanor.co.uk