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Thomas Hardy's country home

Thomas Hardy's country home

Max Gate House

Houses & Gardens

Come and soak up the atmosphere at some of Dorset's finest homes and gardens. Take the chance to enjoy a relaxing lunch or afternoon tea surrounded by some of the most stunning grounds in Dorset.

Have a great day out to Lulworth Castle and Park, built in the early 17th century with displays, exhibitions and woodland walks. Stroll around the beautiful Kingston Lacy House and Gardens exploring the Edwardian Japanese Gardens, way marked trails and Egyptian artefacts.

Mapperton House & Gardens is a stunning setting recently listed as 4th in the top 10 greatest British gardens in the Mail on Sunday newspaper.

Don't forget to check opening times, as they may vary according to the season. There are many other wonderful houses and gardens across Dorset - it's all here for you to come and explore!

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Number of items: 12

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  1. cr Tash Granville-Abbott

    Add Mapperton House & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Mapperton House & Gardens

    Type

    Garden

    BEAMINSTER

    Gardens descending at 3 levels beside Tudor manor-house, remodelled in c1660s. Italianate garden and fountain court. Fishponds, orangery and summerhouses. Wild garden with specimen shrubs and trees. Surrounded by wooded landscape with magnificent views. Gifts and plants for sale. Licensed cafe...

  2. Edmondsham House and Garden, Cranborne

    Add Edmondsham House and Garden to your Itinerary

    Edmondsham House and Garden

    Type

    Historic House/Palace

    WIMBORNE

    Fine Tudor/Georgian manor house with Victorian stables and dairy. Six-acre garden and 1-acre walled garden. Owner personally conducts tour of house which has interesting exhibits. Organically-run garden attracts artists and specialist groups as well as visitors to the house. A 12thC church is open...

  3. Minterne Gardens - A Corner Of Paradise

    Add Minterne Gardens to your Itinerary

    Minterne Gardens

    Type

    Garden

    DORCHESTER

    The secluded gardens at Minterne, famed for its seasonal profusion of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Japanese cherries and Magnolias are set in a peaceful wooded valley and have been described by Simon Jenkins as ‘corner of paradise.’ In late May and June many fine specimens of Davidia Involucrata (the...

  4. Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park

    Add Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park to your Itinerary

    Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park

    Type

    Garden

    DORCHESTER

    Kingston Maurward Gardens are set deep in Hardy's Dorset and are listed on the English Heritage register of gardens. The gardens include grand floral displays, stone terraces, topiary, a lake and temple. The Animal Park is a firm favourite with children and home to an interesting collection of...

  5. Hardy's Cottage

    Add Hardy's Cottage to your Itinerary

    Hardy's Cottage

    Type

    Historic House/Palace

    DORCHESTER

    Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 in this small cob and thatch cottage, which was built by his great-grandfather and is little altered since the family left. His early novels Under the Greenwood Tree and Far from the Madding Crowd were written here.

  6. Athelhampton House & Gardens

    Add Athelhampton House and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Athelhampton House and Gardens

    Type

    Historic House/Palace

    DORCHESTER

    Athelhampton is one of the finest 15thC manor-houses and is surrounded by one of the great architectural gardens of England. The house contains many finely furnished rooms including The Great Hall, Great Chamber, wine cellar. The Gallery in the west wing exhibits works by the Russian artist Marevna...

  7. Lulworth Castle in Winter

    Add Lulworth Castle & Park to your Itinerary

    Lulworth Castle & Park

    Type

    Castle/Fort

    Wareham

    Walk in the footsteps of Kings and Queens as you enjoy wide open spaces, historic buildings and stunning landscapes. Built as a Hunting Lodge in 1608, this Castle has been owned by the same family for over 365 years. Inside the Castle is a wealth of fascinating history, follow their fortunes, fate...

  8. Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens

    Add Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens to your Itinerary

    Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens

    Type

    Garden

    Weymouth

    Probably one of the best gardens of its type in the world. Winner of silver medal at Chelsea and silver gilt at Hampton Court Show. Magnificent Victorian walled garden set in 20 acres of woodland valley. The unique micro climate enables rare and exotic species from all over the world to thrive here...

  9. Forde Abbey and Gardens

    Add Forde Abbey and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Forde Abbey and Gardens

    Type

    Historic House/Palace

    CHARD

    Enjoy free entry into the beautiful gardens at Forde Abbey during their Christmas Opening . Stroll around the 30 acres of award-winning gardens to work up an appetite for homemade lunches and cakes in the tearoom and some stress-free Christmas shopping in the well-stocked Gift Shop.

  10. The 'Monet' style Japanese bridge sitting over national waterlilly collection.

    Add Bennetts Water Gardens to your Itinerary

    Bennetts Water Gardens

    Type

    Garden

    WEYMOUTH

    Wild plants and wildlife abound in the 6 acres of ponds, including a National collection of over 150 varieties of water lilies. Tropical house displaying tropical water lilies and a cacti collection. Museum showing the history of Chickerell's brickworks. Replica 'Monet' bridge in similar setting to...