Athelhampton House Gardens

Q: Are there plants available for sale?

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Athelhampton House Gardens , please enquire with the owners for more details.

The award-winning gardens at Athelhampton surround the Tudor manor house and date from 1891. The Great Court with 12 giant yew topiary pyramids is overlooked by two terraced pavilions. This glorious Grade I architectural garden is full of vistas with spectacular planting, ponds with fountains and the River Piddle flowing past.

About
Location
Openings
Accessibility

Owner Info

About Athelhampton House Gardens

The ancient Manor of Pydele as it is known in the Doomsday book, was home to a Deer park in Tudor times. In 1891, a young man, Alfred Cart de Lafontaine purchasds Athelhampton to create an Arts & Crafts style architectural garden. Designed by Francis Inigo Thomas, over 40,000 tonnes of Ham stone are bought to site. The Ham-Stone ‘rooms’ feature contrasting planting that changes with the seasons. Subsequent owners have left their own mark upon the 20 acre gardens, enlarging, refining & enhancing. The Edwardian kitchen garden is part of a 10 year plan to provide low food miles produce to our restaurant and shop.

Website:

https://www.athelhampton.co.uk

Athelhampton House Gardens features

Location details

Athelhampton House Gardens,
Dorchester,
Dorset,
DT2 7LG

Directions to Athelhampton House Gardens
5m E of Dorchester well signed off A35 trunk road at Puddletown. Easily reached from A31 Ringwood, & A354 Blandford Forum.

Athelhampton House Gardens openings

20 Mar 2025 Pre-booking available

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Coffee, lunches & afternoon tea are available daily. Adm is for garden only. Tickets to visit the house can be bought on the day.

Admission Adult: £12.50
Child: Free

Opening times 10:00-17:00

Book

21 Jun 2025 Pre-booking available

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Coffee, lunches & afternoon tea are available daily. Adm is for garden only. Tickets to visit the house can be bought on the day.

Admission Adult: £12.50
Child: Free

Opening times 10:00-17:00

Book

22 Sep 2025 Pre-booking available

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Coffee, lunches & afternoon tea are available daily. Adm is for garden only. Tickets to visit the house can be bought on the day.

Admission Adult: £12.50
Child: Free

Opening times 10:00-17:00

Book

20 Dec 2025 Pre-booking available

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Coffee, lunches & afternoon tea are available daily. Adm is for garden only. Tickets to visit the house can be bought on the day.

Admission Adult: £12.50
Child: Free

Opening times 10:00-15:30

Book

Accessibility

Wheelchair map to guide you around the gardens. There are accessible toilets in the Visitor Centre. Please see our Accessibility Guide on our website.

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FAQs

Are payment cards accepted at Athelhampton House Gardens?

Payment is by cash only. Please get in touch with the owners for more details.

Are coaches allowed at Athelhampton House Gardens?

Yes, coaches are accepted at Athelhampton House Gardens. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Is Athelhampton House Gardens a dog friendly garden?

Yes, dogs are welcome at Athelhampton House Gardens. Please keep the dogs on fixed short leads in the garden and keep in mind that you are responsible for controlling the dog’s behaviour. For any specific rules please ask the owners.

Are there plants available for sale?

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Athelhampton House Gardens, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Is there wheelchair access at Athelhampton House Gardens?

Yes, one or more routes at Athelhampton House Gardens are accessible to wheelchair users.

Is this a wildlife garden?

Athelhampton House Gardens is not explicitly a wildlife garden, but you may still find various indigenous flora and fauna.

Athelhampton House Gardens

Owner Info

About Athelhampton House Gardens

Athelhampton House Gardens features

Location details

Athelhampton House Gardens openings

Refreshments Coffee, lunches & afternoon tea are available daily. Adm is for garden only. Tickets to visit the house can be bought on the day.

Admission Adult: £12.50 Child: Free

Opening times 10:00-17:00

Refreshments Coffee, lunches & afternoon tea are available daily. Adm is for garden only. Tickets to visit the house can be bought on the day.

Admission Adult: £12.50 Child: Free

Opening times 10:00-17:00

Refreshments Coffee, lunches & afternoon tea are available daily. Adm is for garden only. Tickets to visit the house can be bought on the day.

Admission Adult: £12.50 Child: Free

Opening times 10:00-17:00

Refreshments Coffee, lunches & afternoon tea are available daily. Adm is for garden only. Tickets to visit the house can be bought on the day.

Admission Adult: £12.50 Child: Free

Opening times 10:00-15:30

Accessibility

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FAQs

Admission Adult: £12.50
Child: Free

Admission Adult: £12.50
Child: Free

Admission Adult: £12.50
Child: Free

Admission Adult: £12.50
Child: Free