Dorset Garden Tour
A four day garden tour designed to showcase the best of the region's gardens. Based in the historic town of Shaftesbury - choose either the Grosvenor Hotel or Fleur de Lys.
Day 1
Forde Abbey House founded in 1146 as a Cistercian monastery, is surrounded by thirty acres of award-winning gardens with lakes, bog garden, magnificent trees, shrub and herbaceous borders. With formal and informal elements, this extensive garden offers meandering paths and intriguing views. With a spectacular fountain and a vibrant working walled vegetable garden, Forde Abbey is not to be missed. The house is open to visitors.
Day 1 Afternoon - Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Garden Many rare subtropical and delicate plants thrive in this wonderfully exotic garden located in its own microclimate near the coast. Lose yourself in the gigantic Gunnera and bamboo plantations that grow along the side of the stream flowing through the garden. Take a break for lunch or tea on the veranda of the tea house, surrounded by the lush greenery of the palms and bananas. It really is a magical place.
Day 2
The Courts Garden is an example of the English style at its best, the garden is full of charm and variety. There are many interesting plants and an imaginative use of colour, with surrounding topiary, ornaments and water features. The garden is complemented by an arboretum with natural planting of spring bulbs, a kitchen garden and orchard.
On to The Peto Garden at Iford Manor This Grade I Italian-style garden is famous for its tranquil beauty and was the home of architect and landscape gardener, Harold A. Peto from 1899 to 1933. This unique and romantic hillside garden is characterised by steps, terraces, sculpture and magnificent rural views.
The unrivalled queen of the landscape garden Stourhead Garden. An outstanding example of the English landscape style, it was designed by Henry Hoare II and laid out between 1741 and 1780. Classical temples, including the Pantheon and Temple of Apollo, are set around the central lake at the end of a series of vistas, which change as the visitor moves around the paths and through the magnificent mature woodland with its extensive collection of exotic trees and rhododendrons.
Day 3
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. This award winning garden is famous the world over. This extensive garden and arboretum is a delight to visit. One of the many outstanding features of the garden is the Centenary Border. Originally planted in 1964 by Sir Harold Hillier to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Winchester plant nursery by his grandfather. It was planted with alternating 22 yard bays, to reflect Sir Harold's interest in cricket! It is the longest double mixed border in the country and was officially opened by HRH Duchess of Cornwall in 2013.
Mottisfont Garden & House Set amidst glorious countryside along the River Test, this 12th-century Augustinian priory was converted into a private house after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The key attraction is the grounds with magnificent trees, walled gardens and National Collection of Old-fashioned Roses, at their most fragrant best in mid June - an essential visit on your garden tour.
Day 4
Hestercombe is unique in having three complete period gardens. The Georgian landscape, Victorian terrace and the formal Edwardian gardens combine to create one of Britain's premier garden sites widely recognised as being of international importance. The Edwardian gardens are of great significance, being a collaboration between architect Edwin Lutyens and plantswoman Gertrude Jekyll.
East Lambrook Manor The garden is recognised throughout the world as the ‘Home of English Cottage Gardening’, having been created in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s by the late gardening icon, Margery Fish. Mid-afternoon we move on to TIntinhull, a delightful and intimate garden, created in the 1930 with separate areas divided by walls and clipped hedges. Particularly beautiful are the azalea garden, the fountain garden - with its white-flowering and silver plants around a central pool - and the charming kitchen garden, where the paths are edged in catmint and espaliered fruit trees flank the walls.
Cost
GBP2400 for up to four guests. Food, accommodation and entrance fees not included. Not all locations are open every day so exact allocation may change depending on your travel dates. This Itinerary can be tailored to suit your individual requirements. Entrance fees - you should allow approximately GBP10 per garden.