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Gardens in Dorset

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to 7 of the best private gardens in Dorset.

Your visits raise important funds for charitable causes across the UK through admissions, teas and cake - and in the majority of gardens children go free!

Thanks to the generosity of garden owners who freely give their time and energy to open their beautiful gardens with the National Garden Scheme we were able to donate over £3.4 million to vital nursing and health charities last year. We hope to top this in 2024 with yet more beautiful gardens open in Dorset for you to visit this year.

Highlights

  • 7
    Private Gardens to visit in Dorset
  • 46
    Historical Gardens in Dorset
  • 50
    Dog Friendly Gardens in Dorset
  • 21
    Child Friendly Gardens in Dorset

Browse our garden map to view all the gardens opening in Dorset in the next 28 days. You can change the date range or location to help you find what you are looking for.

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All gardens

The gardens below are listed in alphabetical order and some may have completed their openings for the year. You can view gardens open in Dorset within a specific time range here.

Abbotsbury Gardens image

Abbotsbury Gardens

Abbotsbury Gardens, DT3 4LA

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Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens image

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, DT3 4LA

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Bennetts Water Gardens image

Bennetts Water Gardens

Bennetts Water Gardens, DT3 4AF

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Holme for Gardens image

Holme for Gardens

Holme for Gardens, BH20 6AQ

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Kingston Lacy image

Kingston Lacy

Kingston Lacy, BH21 4EA

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Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park image

Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park

Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park, DT2 8PY

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Knoll Gardens image

Knoll Gardens

Knoll Gardens, BH21 7ND

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FAQs

Many gardens offer plants for sale, please visit the individual listings for more information. Here are some suggestions: Sheepwash Barn, The Potting Shed, Glenholme Herbs.

Our database has at least 39 gardens in Dorset that showcase stunning autumn colours. Here are some suggestions to get you started: North Bowood Farmhouse, Sheepwash Barn, Pipsford Farm.

Some garden owners are happily accommodating group visits; North Bowood Farmhouse, Chantry Farm, Myrtle Cottage have recently been listed with National Garden Scheme. Please use the filters above to find more and make sure to check which gardens allow group visits by arrangement only.

Absolutely. National Garden Scheme currently lists 73 gardens in Dorset that strive to ensure that all visitors are able to enjoy a positive experience. Please try and keep to the paths, particularly in wet conditions, and make sure to read each garden's information to make the best of your visit.

Dorset boasts a wide variety of local and exotic plants, to suit most plant lovers in all seasons. We currently list 10 bluebell gardens, 21 gardens with naturalised daffodils, 38 gardens offering hundreds of eye-catching dahlias, 67 fragrant rose gardens, 22 tulip gardens, and 9 gardens with snowdrops, as well as 72 wildlife gardens.

Other garden locations