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Hanford School

Perhaps the only school in England with a working kitchen garden growing quantities of seasonal vegetables, fruit and flowers for the table. The rolling lawns host sports matches, gymnastics, dance and plays while ancient cedars look on. The stable clock chimes on the hour and the chapel presides over it all. Teas in Great Hall (think Hogwarts). What a place to go to school or visit.

Owner Info

Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School
Hanford School

About Hanford School

The walled gardens were laid out in the 1770s for Henry Seymer who collected and painted exotic plants and insects from around the world and was a founding member of the Linnean Society. He was said to grow ‘some of the finest orange and lemon trees then in the kingdom”. The Seymer family continued at Hanford until after WWI, planting the box garden at the turn of the last century. Henry Seymer’s paintings were recently published for the first time.

Although Hanford has celebrated 70 years as a thriving boarding prep school (for about 100 girls) the gardens continue to be run as if part of a large family home The greenhouses grow salads, lemons and tomatoes, potatoes are stored throughout the winter and the walls hang with gnarled cordon apples and pears.

Recently the girls have become more involved, tending their own raised beds and planting bulbs and vegetables. They also enjoy floristry and cooking with home grown produce as part of the timetable. Compost comes from the stables where the girls keep ponies and hens.

Hanford School features

Location details

Hanford School,
Blandford Forum,
Dorset,
DT11 8HN

Directions to Hanford School
From Blandford take A350 to Shaftesbury; 2m after Stourpaine turn L for Hanford. From Shaftesbury take A350 to Poole; after Iwerne Courtney turn R to Hanford. NGS signage from A350 & A357.

Hanford School openings

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 Refreshments in aid of the Charlie Waller Trust.
Admission Adult: £5.00
Child: Free
Opening times 13:00-17:00

Accessibility

  • Several steps/ramp to main house. No wheelchair access to WC.
  • Share this garden

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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Hanford School. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Hanford School. 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.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Hanford School, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at Hanford School are accessible to wheelchair users.

Yes. Hanford School seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.