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Ferne Animal Sanctuary is set in 51 acres of lovely Somerset countryside. Over 300 animals including horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, sheep, cats, dogs, cattle, terrapins, poultry, ducks, rabbits and guinea pigs are cared for purely by public donations.
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| Tourist Information: Houses And Gardens |
Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens
Tel: 01305 871 387
www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk
Open Easter to end October
Located between Weymouth and Bridport on the B3157
A Grade 1 Listed Garden. A mixture of formal and informal, with charming walled garden walks and spectacular woodland valley views. World famous for its Camellia Groves & Magnolias. Dogs permitted on leads. Voted "Our Favouite Garden" by the readers of The Daily Telegraph in 2006.
Athelhampton House & Gardens
Tel: 01305 848 363
www.athelhampton.co.uk
Open March until October from 10.30am daily except Fridays & Saturdays
5 miles east of Dorchester on A35(T) at Puddletown, Northbrook Junction
Explore the house dating from 1485, with Tudor Great Hall. Trace history from Henry VII to Victoria. 15 rooms of period furniture and fine art. Wander through award winning gardens; topiary pyramids, fountains, pavilions, rare plants, and the River Puddle.
Bennetts Water Gardens
Tel: 01305 785 150
www.waterlily.co.uk
OPEN: Mid March to Mid October 10am 5pm (Except Mon & Sat) Open Bank Holidays.
Chickerell, 2m north of Weymouth off B3157
National collection of water lilies (more than 100 varieties) within six acres of natural lakes on site of old clay pits. Multitude of wild plants and wildlife such as dragonflies, herons and kingfishers, family nature trail, Monet-style Japanese bridge, wheelchair access, tearoom, gifts.
Bicton Park Gardens
Tel: 01395 568 465
www.bictongardens.co.uk
Past Lyme Regis off A3052 Nr Newton Poppleford, where you turn right onto the B3178. One mile (1.6km) beyond Colaton Raleigh, the Botanical Gardens are on your right, just past the Bicton College entrance
Open all year 10am-6pm summer & 10-5 winter
Over 60 acres of historic gardens and buildings. Beautiful fountains, water features, seeping lawns, formal gardens and romantic English borders.
Bishops Palace
Tel: 01749 678691
www.bishopspalacewells.co.uk/
Open 21 March to 25 October Sun-Fri 10.30am-6.00pm Saturday 10.30pm-2.00pm
Situated behind Wells Cathedral. "Wells best kept secret".The home of the Bishop of Bath & Wells. Moated Palace fortified in the 14th century, cloisters, vaulted entrance hall. Collection of wildfowl on moat and its banks. This includes the famous mute swans which have recently been retrained to ring the bell below the Gatehouse window when they want to be fed.
Broadlands
Tel 01794 505010
www.broadlands.net
Open from June until beginning of September - afternoons only.
Near Romsey Hampshire
The magnificent historic home of Lord Mountbatten.
Buckler's Hard
Tel: 01590 616203
www.bucklershard.co.uk
In the heart of the New Forest, just three miles from Beaulieu. Follow tourist signs to Beaulieu then on to Buckler's Hard. Bucklers Hard is one of the most attractive and unusual villages in England. Time has almost stood still since the days when wooden ships were built here for Nelson's fleet.
Chettle House and Gardens
Tel: 01258 830 209
Open Sundays only - during August open every day except Saturdays.
Chettle, Blandford, Dorset
A Queen Anne House set in a beautiful garden with fine herbaceous borders and many interesting plants
Compton Acres
Tel: 01202 700 778
www.comptonacres.co.uk
Open all year March until end October daily 9.00am to 6.00pm. Winter 10-4.00pm.
Entrance off B3065 onto Canford Cliffs Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole
Compton Acres comprises of several separate and distinct gardens. There is a Japanese Garden, Roman Garden, Italian Garden, Rock and Water Gardens and Heather Dell.
Forde Abbey & Gardens
www.fordeabbey.co.uk
Tel: 01460 221 290
Garden open all year. House opens Easter until end October on Wed, Sun, BH
4 miles south of Chard, 7 miles west of Crewkerne.
One of Britain's oldest inhabited buildings founded 1140 as a Cistercian Monastery, converted in 17th century into magnificent Stately house. Outstanding tapestries. 30 acres of award winning gardens.
Hestercombe Gardens
Dogs Allowed
Tel: 01823 413923
www.hestercombegardens.com
Open all year 10.00am to 6.00pm
Four miles from Taunton, signposted from all main roads. Off A358.
A unique combination of three period gardens: the Georgian landscape, Victorian terrace and formal Edwardian Garden. All once abandoned, now being faithfully restored to their former glory. Dogs are welcome on a short lead.
Horn Park Gardens
Tel: 01308 862 212
Open April to October Tues, Wed & Thurs 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Near Beaminster, Dorset. 1.5 miles north of Beaminster on the A3066 (immediately south of the Beaminster Tunnel)
These large and beautiful gardens are in a unique position with magnificent views to the sea. Consists of a plants man's garden full of unusual trees, shrubs and plants in rock and water gardens, terraces and herbaceous borders, woodland garden, bluebell woods, and a wild flower meadow with over 160 species including orchids.
Kingston Lacy House, Gardens & Park
Tel: 01202 880413
Open end of March until end of October - Gardens all week 1030am to 6.00pm, House 11.00am to 4.00pm Wed to Sunday
On B3082 Blandford-Wimborne road, 1.5 miles from Wimborne.
A 17th-century house, designed for Sir Ralph Bankes by Sir Roger Pratt, and altered by Sir Charles Barry in the 19th-century. The house contains an outstanding collection of paintings including works by Rubens, Titian, Van Dyke and Lely. The "Spanish Room" is in gilded leather with a gilded ceiling brought from the Contarini Palace in Venice. Fine collection of Egyptian artefacts. The mansion is set in 250 acres of wooded park with a fine herd of Red Devon cattle.
Kingston Maurward Gardens
Suitable for Children www.kmc.ac.uk/gardens
Tel: 01305 215 003
Open from end of March until end October 10.00am to 5.30pm
Signposted off the A35 just before Dorchester
The Edwardian Gardens include a croquet lawn, rose garden, herbaceous borders and a large display of tender perennials. Stone terraces, balustrading and yew hedges have been used to create many intimate gardens and carefully planned vistas. There is also an animal park that has an interesting collection of unusual breeds of animals and always provides interest to all age groups. Children can help feed some of the animals or perhaps see chicks hatching.
Knoll Gardens
Tel: 01202 873 931
www.knollgardens.co.uk
April - September, daily 10am - 5pm. October - March, Sun - Thurs, 10am - 4pm. Closed Christmas period.
Hampreston, Nr Ferndown. Located off the B3073 (Ham Lane).
Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of these delightful all-season gardens in an informal setting. Beautiful water gardens, two National Collections. Extensive nursery.
Minterne Gardens
www.minterne.co.uk
Tel: 01300 341370
Open beginning March until end October daily 10.00 to 6.00pm.
A few miles south of White Horse Farm on the A352 a perennial favourite of our visitors.
Cascades, small lakes, rare rhododendrons, great beech and oak trees.
 
Moreton Gardens
Tel: 01929 405 084
www.moretondorset.co.uk/gardens
Open every day from March to October from 10am to 5pm
Moreton, Dorset. Moreton Gardens are set in the picturesque and unspoilt rural village of Moreton, nr Dorchester in the heart of Dorset. Broad pathways, suitable for wheelchairs, lead the visitor around the various features of the garden.
Parnham House & Gardens
Tel: 01308 862 204
Open 1st April - 31st October Tues, Wed, Thur, Sun, BH. 10am - 5pm.
Parnham, Beaminster.
Magnificent Historic House, glorious gardens and tree trail, internationally famous John Makepeace Furniture Studio. Inspiring 20th century craftsmanship in the home of John and Jennie Makepeace, who have restored and enlivened this fascinating house and beautiful gardens into a world-renowned centre of excellence. Contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year.
Stapehill Abbey Crafts and Gardens
Suitable for Children
Tel: 01202 861686
Open from Easter until September Wednesday to Sunday 10 to 5pm.
On the old A31 between Wimborne and Ferndown.
Set in 87 acres, Stapehill offers something for everyone, with everything but the gardens under cover. Visit the award winning gardens, working craft centre, 19th century Cistercian Abbey, farmyard, adventure playground, coffee shop, plant sales.
Stourhead
Tel: 01747 841152
/www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead
Open daily, from 10am until 7pm. Stourhead House open daily, except Wednesdays & Thursdays, from 12 noon until 4.30pm
Near Mere in Wiltshire off the A303.
One of Europe's foremost landscape gardens with over 40 hectares, laid out between 1741 and 1780, offering a visual experience which is perhaps unequalled in Britain with magnificent vistas and architectural features. The classical 18th century mansion offers an outstanding collection of art and furniture.
The Blue Pool and Tea House
Suitable for Children
Dogs Allowed
Tel: 01929 551 408
Open March until November
Furzebrook, nr Wareham, signposted south of Wareham off the A351
25 acres of tranquil woods and heathland surround this old claypit. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Sandy paths climb to views of the Purbeck Hills, or lead down steps to the water's edge. Small children's play area. Dogs on lead welcome.
Wilton House
Suitable for Children
Tel: 01722 746729
www.wiltonhouse.com
Open Easter - end October. Daily 10:30 - 5:30pm.
On the A36, Wilton, Salisbury.
Home of the Earl of Pembroke Wilton House provides a fascinating insight on British history. Indigo Jones State Rooms, world famous art collection, 21 acres of landscaped parkland, water and rose gardens. Also the Wareham Bears - 200 costumed teddy bears with their own house and stables.
Wolfeton House
Tel: 01305 263500 Fax: 01305 265090
Open mid July until mid September. Open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2pm until 6pm. Groups by appointment throughout the year.
Near Dorchester
A fine Grade 1 listed mediaeval and Elizabethan House lying in the water-meadows near Dorchester. Magnificent carved oak panelling, splendid plaster ceilings, grand fireplaces and unique stone great stairs. The mediaeval Gatehouse has two unmatched and older towers.
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