Forde Abbey and Gardens
Historic House/Palace
CHARD
Somerset
TA20 4LU
Tel: +44 01460 221290
Enjoy England Excellence Silver Award Winner 2008 and South West Tourism Small Attraction of the Year 2006 & 2007.
Now privately owned, Forde Abbey was founded by the Cistercians in 1140 and became one of the richest and most learned monasteries in the country. The church was demolished in the dissolution, but in 1649 Sir Edmund Prideaux transformed the Abbey into a magnificent commonwealth house. Of particular note are the splendid Mortlake tapestries and ceilings from the 1650s and the crucifixion painting dated c1320. The 30 acres of world famous gardens include a walled working kitchen garden, ponds, cascades, ionic temple, rockery, bog garden, and the Centenary Fountain, the highest powered fountain in England.
Gradings
- VAQAS VB Attraction VAQAS
Opening Times
| Open All Year |
|---|
| Garden Open (01/01/2013 - 31/12/2013) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday | 10:00 | 18:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:00 | 18:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00 | 18:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00 | 18:00 |
| Friday | 10:00 | 18:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 | 18:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 | 18:00 |
| Gift Shop & Plant Centre (01/03/2013 - 31/10/2013) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| Friday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| Bank Holiday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| Tearoom (01/03/2013 - 31/10/2013) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday | 11:00 | 16:00 |
| Tuesday | 11:00 | 16:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00 | 16:00 |
| Thursday | 11:00 | 16:00 |
| Friday | 11:00 | 16:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00 | 16:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00 | 16:00 |
| Bank Holiday | 11:00 | 16:00 |
| House 2013 (26/03/2013 - 31/10/2013) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Tuesday | 12:00 | 16:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00 | 16:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00 | 16:00 |
| Friday | 12:00 | 16:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00 | 16:00 |
| Bank Holiday | 12:00 | 16:00 |
Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Adult - Garden only | £8.50 per ticket |
| Adult - House & Garden | £10.50 per ticket |
| Children under 15 | Free |
| Seniors - Garden only | £7.50 per ticket |
| Seniors - House & Gardens | £9.50 per ticket |
For more information on ticket prices and discounts available, please visit our website.
What's Nearby
-
Stokewater Meadow Donkey Walking Days
Relax and enjoy an unforgettable day spent leading an affectionate donkey while exploring the Brit...
4.84 miles away -
UK Llamas
Walking with Llamas is a unique and very relaxing experience. These hardy, extremely agile and...
5.94 miles away -
Furleigh Estate Wine Tours
Set in West Dorset’s wonderful green and rolling hills, Furleigh Estate makes some of the best...
7.24 miles away -
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
Set up to encourage safe and sustainable collecting of Jurassic fossils from local beaches, the...
7.56 miles away
-
Charmouth Beach
This beach is slightly shelving and is made up of pebbles and sand.
Charmouth is famous, along...
7.61 miles away -
Beaminster Museum
The history of Beaminster and its surrounding villages through displays of social history, farming,...
7.97 miles away -
Lyme Regis Beaches
Lyme regis is a picturesque and historic seaside town set in an area of outstanding natural beauty....
8.15 miles away -
Town Mill - Lyme Regis
Fully restored working watermill in the heart of Lyme Regis. Regular demonstrations of milling, art...
8.2 miles away -
Lyme Regis Museum
Built on the site of the family home of Lyme's renowned fossilist Mary Anning, the building is...
8.25 miles away -
Marine Theatre
A traditional seaside theatre overlooking the sea and Gun Cliff Walk, with dramatic views from the...
8.25 miles away -
Regent Cinema
Lyme Regis cinema showing all of the latest feature films.
8.28 miles away -
Golden Cap
Golden Cap is the rather obvious name for a high, flat-topped hill of deep orange sandstone on the...
8.86 miles away -
Seatown Beach
A steep shelving beach with pebbles and shingle.
9.24 miles away -
Mapperton House & Gardens
Gardens descending at 3 levels beside Tudor manor-house, remodelled in c1660s. Italianate garden...
9.57 miles away -
Bridport Museum
From Romans to rope-making. Bridport Museum tells the unique story of the town from its Saxon...
10.18 miles away -
Electric Palace
The Electric Palace in Bridport offers a comprehensive programme of film, theatre, music, comedy...
10.23 miles away






