HOMES AND GARDENS TO VISIT IN WEST DORSET
Dorset has a huge choice of beautiful gardens to visit, many with historic houses and several of them a mere stone’s throw from Bridport.
A few miles from Yew Tree House and near to the Heritage Coast and Chesil Beach you will find the ever popular Abbotsbury Gardens set in 20 acres which has great displays of magnolias and rhododendrons in spring and early summer. The sheltered position of this garden enables it to support exotic sub-tropical planting as well as native plant species, giving it year round interest. Open all year, 7 days a week from 10am – 5pm, until 4pm in winter.
The countryside around Dorchester is known as ‘Hardy country’ and was the birthplace and the backdrop for much of Thomas Hardy’s life. You can visit Hardy’s Cottage, the house and garden where the famous author was born, now managed by the National Trust. Later, in 1885 he designed Max Gate the home he lived in for many years, now also open to visitors and managed by the National Trust.
Just a 10 minute walk from Yew Tree House is a hidden gem. Chideock Manor Garden is set in 12 acres and offers a variety of garden areas from formal gardens including a parterre, lime, rose, yew and hydrangea walks, a stepped water garden, a nuttery and pinetum. The gardens are naturally set on different levels so from each there are tantalising glimpses of others. There are also many paths providing walks through the woods and around the lake. The Manor House is private and visiting the garden is by appointment only and open throughout the year.
Mapperton House and Garden is an award winning 19th Century Jacobean House and Gardens located in Beaminster, approximately 9 miles from Chideock. Country Life Magazine called it “The nation’s finest Manor House”. One part forms magnificent Italianate gardens with walkways dripping with wisteria, grottoes, stone ornaments and fountains. Another part leads to the wild garden with beautiful trees and shrubs.
All the houses and gardens open to visitors throughout Dorset can be found on the following website with full details for each location: Great British Gardens
