Summer is a wonderful time to get outdoors and explore the beautiful landscapes of Dorset. From colourful subtropical planting and historic country-house gardens to peaceful woodland paths and contemporary sculpture surrounded by nature, there are plenty of Dorset gardens to discover.
Whether you're looking for a family-friendly day out, a romantic afternoon or somewhere to enjoy beautiful flowers and peaceful surroundings, Dorset's gardens offer something for everyone.
If you're planning a Dorset holiday and looking for beautiful places to visit, here is our recommendation of the 10 of the best gardens in Dorset to add to your itinerary.
Stretching for around three kilometres from Bournemouth Pier towards the boundary with Poole, Bournemouth Gardens are a wonderful place to enjoy some greenery without leaving the town behind.
The Lower, Central and Upper Gardens each have their own character. The Lower Gardens are closest to the seafront and offer plenty to see and do, including mini golf, a bandstand, an aviary, refreshments and an open-air art exhibition. There are also children's play areas and activities to enjoy.
Further inland, the Central and Upper Gardens provide a quieter setting for a stroll among the trees, planting and landscaped areas. The gardens have been Green Flag winners since 1999 and are included on the National Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens.
With the beach and town centre nearby, Bournemouth Gardens are an easy addition to a day exploring the Dorset coast.
Where to stay: A cottage in Bournemouth or the surrounding villages gives you an excellent base for exploring the gardens, beaches and attractions of the wider area.
For something a little different, Sculpture by the Lakes combines contemporary art with beautifully landscaped gardens and natural surroundings.
Set within 26 acres of countryside near Dorchester, the sculpture park was created by sculptor Simon Gudgeon. Visitors can explore sculptures positioned throughout the gardens, with lakes, planting and peaceful pathways creating a setting that encourages you to slow down and take your time.
There are also places to eat, a gallery and a store, making it possible to spend several hours exploring the site.
There is one important point to remember when planning your visit: Children under 14, including babies, are not permitted anywhere on site. Dogs are welcome in certain areas when kept on leads, although restrictions apply in the Kitchen Garden and Ornamental Gardens.
If you're looking for unusual gardens in Dorset or somewhere that combines art, nature and beautiful scenery, Sculpture by the Lakes is certainly worth considering.
Where to stay: Dorchester and the surrounding villages make a convenient base for exploring Sculpture by the Lakes and other attractions across central Dorset.
Just outside Wimborne Minster, Kingston Lacy is one of Dorset's best-known historic estates and a wonderful choice for anyone who enjoys gardens, history and countryside.
The National Trust property combines a grand Italian-inspired country house with formal gardens and extensive parkland. Within the gardens you'll find areas including the Fernery, formal garden, South Lawn, Kitchen Garden and Japanese Garden.
The gardens change throughout the seasons, with cherry blossom in spring, colourful Japanese maples in autumn and snowdrops providing winter interest. The wider estate also offers plenty of space to explore on foot.
Kingston Lacy is particularly appealing if you're looking for gardens near Wimborne or want to combine a garden visit with a historic house and countryside walk.
Where to stay: Wimborne and the surrounding villages are ideal for exploring Kingston Lacy, the Dorset countryside and nearby attractions.
Just outside Dorchester, Athelhampton House and Gardens combines a historic Tudor house with beautifully designed gardens.
The house dates from 1485 and is one of Dorset's notable examples of Tudor architecture. The Grade I listed gardens were created in their present form in the late 19th century and are particularly famous for their distinctive pyramid-shaped yew trees.
The Great Court is one of the garden's most memorable features, with its formal layout and towering yew trees. Beyond the formal gardens, visitors can explore the rose garden and other planted areas.
Athelhampton is an excellent option if you're interested in historic gardens in Dorset, architecture and traditional English garden design.
Where to stay: Dorchester and the surrounding villages provide a convenient base for visiting Athelhampton House and exploring the nearby Dorset countryside.
If you want to see something a little different from the traditional English country garden, make your way to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens on the Jurassic Coast.
The gardens are known for their sheltered microclimate, which allows a wide variety of exotic plants to thrive. Visitors can discover colourful displays of camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and hydrangeas, as well as formal and informal planting throughout the gardens.
The gardens cover around 20 acres and include woodland paths, planted borders and viewpoints overlooking the surrounding Dorset landscape. The viewpoint at the top of Magnolia Walk offers particularly impressive views towards the Jurassic Coast.
Abbotsbury makes a great addition to a wider day out, with the village and Jurassic Coast nearby.
Where to stay: A cottage around Bridport and surrounding villages provides a great base for exploring Abbotsbury and the wider Jurassic Coast.
For something completely different, head to Bennetts Water Gardens, near Weymouth.
This eight-acre garden is home to the National Plant Collection of Water Lilies, with around 140 varieties. The gardens are arranged around ponds and lakes, with woodland paths and other planted areas to explore.
One of the garden's most recognisable features is the Claude Monet-style Japanese Bridge, which creates an attractive focal point over the water.
There is also a Tropical House, Woodlands Walk and Museum, so there's plenty to see beyond the water-lily collection.
Bennetts Water Gardens is particularly appealing if you're searching for unusual gardens in Dorset or want somewhere with plenty of photography opportunities.
Where to stay: Weymouth and the surrounding villages are ideal bases for visiting Bennetts Water Gardens, the Jurassic Coast and other Dorset attractions.
Tucked away in the rolling countryside of West Dorset, Mapperton House and Gardens offers a beautiful combination of historic architecture, formal planting and peaceful countryside.
The Jacobean manor overlooks an Italianate Garden featuring terraces, fountains, statues, borders and topiary. From the more formal areas, the gardens lead towards an arboretum and wider wooded landscape.
The setting is particularly attractive because of the way the gardens sit within the surrounding valley, with views across the Dorset countryside.
Mapperton is an excellent choice if you're looking for a more traditional country-house garden experience, while the café provides somewhere to stop for refreshments during your visit.
Where to stay: West Dorset and the Bridport area make a convenient base for exploring Mapperton, the Jurassic Coast and the surrounding countryside.
For impressive landscaped grounds and a beautiful lakeside setting, Sherborne Castle and Gardens is well worth a visit.
The gardens were developed by renowned landscape designer Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, who created the 50-acre lake in 1753 and developed much of the surrounding landscape. Today, visitors can explore around 42 acres of landscaped garden, including herbaceous borders, specimen trees and sweeping views across the lake.
There are walks through the gardens, taking in features including the Cascade, Folly, Fossil House and Raleigh's Seat.
The combination of historic architecture, landscaped gardens and water makes Sherborne Castle an especially picturesque destination.
Where to stay: Sherborne and the surrounding villages offer an excellent base for exploring the town, its gardens and the wider Dorset countryside.
Set in the beautiful countryside of West Dorset, Forde Abbey and Gardens combines almost 900 years of history with impressive gardens.
The former Cistercian monastery is surrounded by around 30 acres of gardens, with a mixture of formal and informal areas to explore. Features include colourful herbaceous borders, topiary-lined vistas, an arboretum and a bog garden.
One of the highlights is the spectacular fountain, while seasonal planting provides colour at different times of year.
The gardens make a rewarding destination for anyone interested in historic houses, traditional garden design and peaceful countryside.
Where to stay: West Dorset and the Bridport area provide a convenient base for visiting Forde Abbey and exploring the surrounding countryside.
For a peaceful garden experience surrounded by Dorset countryside, Minterne Gardens near Sherborne is a beautiful choice.
The gardens were landscaped in the manner of Capability Brown and follow a horseshoe-shaped valley below Minterne House. A trail of around a mile takes visitors through a landscape of small lakes, waterfalls and streams.
Minterne is particularly famous for its collection of Himalayan rhododendrons and azaleas, alongside spring bulbs, cherries, maples and rare trees. The gardens are especially attractive during the spring and autumn when seasonal colour brings the landscape to life.
The gardens currently welcome visitors from February to November, and dogs are welcome when kept on leads.
If you're looking for a tranquil garden away from the busier attractions, Minterne is an excellent choice.
Where to stay: Sherborne and the surrounding villages make a convenient base for exploring Minterne Gardens, Sherborne Castle and other attractions in North Dorset.
Enjoy a Dorset Garden Day Out
From the subtropical planting of Abbotsbury to the water lilies of Bennetts Water Gardens, Dorset's gardens offer an impressive variety of experiences.
Whether you're planning a romantic break, a family holiday or a longer Dorset getaway, visiting a garden is a wonderful way to spend a few hours or make a full day of your trip.
Before visiting, we recommend checking each garden's latest opening times, admission arrangements and booking requirements, as these can vary throughout the year.
Once you've finished exploring, return to your own comfortable base with Dorset Hideaways and relax after a day discovering some of the county's most beautiful gardens.
FAQs
What are the best gardens to visit in Dorset?
Some of the best-known gardens in Dorset include Kingston Lacy, Mapperton House and Gardens, Athelhampton House and Gardens, Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Sherborne Castle and Gardens, Forde Abbey and Minterne Gardens.
What are the best gardens in Dorset for summer?
Summer is a wonderful time to visit many Dorset gardens, when borders, roses, water lilies and subtropical planting are at their best. Abbotsbury, Bennetts Water Gardens, Mapperton and Athelhampton are all worth considering for a summer garden visit.
Are there historic gardens in Dorset?
Yes. Dorset has numerous historic gardens, including Kingston Lacy, Athelhampton, Mapperton, Forde Abbey and Sherborne Castle. Many combine gardens with historic houses or estates.
Where can I find gardens near Dorchester?
Sculpture by the Lakes and Athelhampton House and Gardens are both within easy reach of Dorchester. Kingston Maurward Gardens is another garden attraction in the Dorchester area.
What are the best gardens near Bournemouth?
Bournemouth Gardens are an obvious choice within the town itself, while Kingston Lacy near Wimborne offers a larger historic estate with formal gardens and extensive parkland.
Where can I visit a subtropical garden in Dorset?
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is one of Dorset's best-known garden attractions and is particularly noted for its sheltered microclimate and exotic planting.
Where can I see water lilies in Dorset?
Bennetts Water Gardens near Weymouth is home to the National Plant Collection of Water Lilies and has around 140 varieties.
Which Dorset gardens were designed by Capability Brown?
Sherborne Castle's landscape was developed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, while Minterne Gardens was landscaped in his manner. Both offer very different interpretations of the English landscape garden style.
Are there unusual gardens to visit in Dorset?
Yes. Sculpture by the Lakes combines contemporary sculpture with lakes and landscaped gardens, while Bennetts Water Gardens is known for its extensive water-lily collection.
Are Dorset gardens suitable for families?
Some Dorset gardens are well suited to family days out, although facilities and age restrictions vary. Always check individual gardens before visiting, particularly if travelling with young children. Sculpture by the Lakes, for example, does not permit children under 14 or babies.
Are dogs allowed in Dorset gardens?
Dog policies vary between attractions. Some gardens welcome dogs on leads, while others have restrictions in particular areas. Check the individual garden's current rules before travelling.
When is the best time to visit Dorset gardens?
Spring and summer are popular times to visit Dorset gardens because of the seasonal flowers and planting, although many gardens offer different displays throughout the year. Autumn can be particularly attractive at gardens with mature trees and Japanese planting.
Do I need to book Dorset gardens in advance?
Booking requirements vary between gardens. Some accept visitors without advance booking, while others may recommend or require tickets to be booked ahead. Always check the garden's official website before visiting.