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Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands

Italianate terraced valley gardens overlooked by the Tudor/Jacobean manor house, Mapperton Gardens is centred around the octagonal pool. Framed by a formal structure of bold hedging, clipped topiary, grottoes and stone statues, the design is softened by nature and planting. The gilded orangery looks out towards the lower terrace to reveal a C17 summerhouse, spring-fed ponds and wild garden. The Arboretum and woodland walks unfold with magnolias, redwoods and dogwoods, with sweeping valley views.

Owner Info

Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands

About Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands

Mapperton House and Gardens lies within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Beauty, with magnificent views over the hills and combes towards Bridport and the Jurassic Coast. Mapperton’s landscape had been shaped over hundreds of years by traditional management for food, fuel and timber. This included ancient land management practices such as pollarding, coppicing, hedge laying, extensive grazing by cattle and sheep, fruit harvesting and low input arable farming. The intensification of farming and forestry in the 20th century led to recent large-scale changes in the landscape.

In recent years and with a concern for nature depletion in the UK, Mapperton changed its approach to land management. Inspired by the success of the Knepp Estate in Sussex, who have pioneered rewilding in the UK, Mapperton sought advice from Knepp in 2020, to form the foundation of their own rewilding venture. Now, as Dorset’s most spectacular rewilding project, Mapperton employs a combination of rewilding initiatives, traditional conservation and regenerative agriculture in order to deliver significant ecological benefits and improved biodiversity across the Estate.

Rewilding is defined as the ‘long-term regeneration of an area using minimum intervention and natural processes’. By letting large herbivores shape a more wooded and natural landscape, alongside more traditional conservation interventions such as targeted grazing, tree planting and pond creation, Mapperton is restoring species-rich wood pasture. Through the introduction of a careful mix of herbivores which replicate the intensity of grazing and browsing last seen during the Mesolithic Period, the degraded landscape is being restored and creating a flourishing ecosystem. Learn more at www.mappertonwildlands.com or join one of our guided rewilding walks.

Mapperton also features terraced valley gardens surrounding the Tudor/Jacobean manor house. A walled croquet lawn, orangery and Italianate formal garden with fountains, topiary and grottoes lead to a 17th-century summerhouse and spring-fed ponds. The lower garden boasts shrubs and rare trees, leading to an Arboretum, woodland and spring gardens.

Website:

https://www.mapperton.com

Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands features

Location details

Mapperton House,
Gardens & Wildlands,
Beaminster,
Dorset,
DT8 3NR

Directions to Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Off A356/A3066. 2m SE of Beaminster off B3163.

Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands openings

No opening times available.

Accessibility

  • Partial wheelchair access to the lawn and upper levels.
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FAQs

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

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

Yes, dogs are welcome at Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands. 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 Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Sorry, Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands does not yet accommodate wheelchair users.

Yes. Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands 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.