Find Gardens to visit in Dorset near to you!
Dorset is blessed with a great climate and abundance of gardens to visit.
From the dramatic Blue Pool, The Castle at Sherbourne, Mediterranean plants at Abbotsbury and the Italian and Japanese gardens at Compton Acres Gardens.
For the family who like wildlife try The Sculpture by the Lakes or for the kids there are great play areas at Mapperton House Gardens.
Theanimal park at Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Gardens also has a smashing 35 acre garden with individual gardens like their Japanese Garden.
Dogs are welcome in most gardens, check first though, such as Athelhampton Gardens where there is also a cafe and shop.
And if you like unusual, in a good way, gardens, with plenty of wildlife then consider Careys Secret Garden!
Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Gardens, Dorchester, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.6/5 Stars
Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Gardens is a 35 acre restored garden with lots of individual garden rooms including a Japanese & Brick Garden.
There are plenty of animals to see like goats, alpacas, pigs, donkeys, a cafe & is dog friendly! More Details here
Carey’s Secret Garden, Wareham, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.8/5 Stars
Find out why you should visit the exceptional Careys Secret Garden!
From unique gardens, sculptures, wildlife including Ospreys, children’s activities, a Berlin Wall exhibit (?!), a lovely shop & super Cafe! More Details here
Kingston Lacy Garden, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.6/5 Stars
Kingston Lacy has lots to see with a Formal Garden, Japanese Garden, Kitchen Garden, Parterre, Woodland walks, Play Areas, Shops, Cafe & is mostly dog friendly.
Find out more! More Details here
Sculpture by the Lakes, Frome, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.7/5 Stars
Sculpture by the Lakes are set in 26 acres on the river Frome with over 120 sculptures to see and experience. No under 14’s as too dangerous with rushing water.
There is a rich diversity of wildlife from dragonflies, damselflies, grass snakes, kingfishers and a breeding colony of Greylag geese. More Details here
The Blue Pool, Wareham, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.4/5 Stars
The Blue Pool (not swimmable!) has 30 acres of woodland for you to explore with a gnome & fairy trail ideal for the kids. Dog friendly and accessible.
There is also a play area for children if they have any energy left to burn off. And the UK’s longest rope suspension bridge! More Details here
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Weymouth, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.6/5 Stars
The Gardens are a mixture of formal and informal flowers, world famous for it’s Camellia groves and Magnolias and is one of the greatest collection of Mediterranean plants in the UK.
Illuminated light display usually from November to early January. Great for kids with a laid back feel. Dog friendly. More Details here
Athelhampton Gardens, Dorchester, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.6/5 Stars
Athelhampton Gardens are 12 acres of gardens with a Grade 1 listed house – find out why Thomas Hardy loved to visit. And there’s a ghost!
Cafe, gift shop , dog friendly and mobility scooter friendly. More Details here
Compton Acres Gardens, Poole, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.7/5 Stars
Compton Acres is 10 acres and has Gardens Italian Garden or The Wooded Valley. Or the Rock & Water Garden, Japanese Garden or the Heather Garden.
There is also the Bog Garden, Sculpture Garden & Palm Court. Very dog friendly! More Details here
Mapperton House & Gardens, Beaminster, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.5/5 Stars
Award winning Mapperton House & Gardens include countryside walks, having fun in the play area and then getting refreshments at the Coach House Cafe.
Shop locally made crafts. Dogs allowed in the wider estate grounds. More Details here
Edmondsham House & Gardens, Wimborne, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.5/5 Stars
Edmondsham House Gardens set in 6 acre offer a very pretty & tranquil setting to explore the gardens with a 1 acre Victorian Walled Garden, Sunken Greenhouse, cob wall, Apple Trees & Roses are highlights! More Details here
Minterne Garden, Dorchester, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.5/5 Stars
Minterne Garden is today made up of a series of small lakes and cascades created by the small stream being dammed up. Dogs welcome.
There is a trail landscaped in the style of Capability Brown & snowdrops in winter, bluebells in spring and azaleas and hydrangeas in summer plus the water cascades. More Details here
Sherborne Castle & Gardens, Sherborne, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.5/5 Stars
Sherborne Castle & Gardens has 42 acres to explore with marked trails you can follow from maps such as the 2.1km The Pleasure Grounds and Fossil House Walk and the 1.6km Thatched Hut and Gingko Lawn Walk.
In the gardens you will find champion trees, an important Ginkgo tree, a 50 acre lake, a sunken garden, folly, shrubbery and clematis bridge. More Details here
Cranborne Manor Gardens, Wimborne, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.2/5 Stars
Cranborne Manor Gardens are set in wider Cranborne Estate. Individual gardens include Walled Garden, Rose Garden & Magnolia Garden. Plant Centre, Cafe & Dog Friendly! More Details here
Thomas Hardy’s Cottage Garden, nr Dorchester, Dorset
Google Visitor Rating 4.6/5 Stars
Discover the tranquil woodland garden & orchard at Hardy’s Cottage a peaceful rural retreat that inspired Thomas Hardy’s earliest works.
More Details here
Accommodation in Dorset
If you are looking for somewhere to stay near a garden you are visiting in Dorset then look here for your accommodation.
All information correct at the date of publication.