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Shute House

Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, one of our finest landscape architects, was commissioned in 1969 to create a water garden for Lady Anne and Captain Michael Tree. The result was Shute House Gardens; his favourite and some say his finest work. The River Nadder rises at the top of the garden and is diverted into canals, waterfalls, rills and mysterious pools through a series of atmospheric garden ‘rooms’. A limited number of tickets have been made available for this special one day event, which includes a talk and private guided tour with the garden owner, Suzy Lewis followed by tea and cake. Please note the refreshments will be served in two sittings; one before and one after the garden tour.

Owner Info

Shute House
Shute House
Shute House
Shute House

About Shute House

There is a parterre of Box hedges containing six gardens, each with a different theme; a Camellia walk with over a hundred varieties; a canal of Arum Lilies overlooked by Chinese balconies; an amphitheatre in Box behind a double bridge swathed in Wisteria and Ivy; a ‘beastly’ garden full of menacing Arisaemae and Orthiopoga; and the world famous Rill tumbling musically down to the beautiful Kashmiri bubble fountains.

Shute House gardens have been restored and developed by the present owners, John and Suzy Lewis, who commissioned Sir Geoffrey to complete the gardens when they arrived in 1994. The work continues to this day.
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Shute House features

Location details

Shute House,
Shaftesbury,
Dorset,
SP7 9DG

Directions to Shute House
2m from the Dorset & Wiltshire border, follow navigation using postcode, house on L in centre of village, parking in field.

Shute House openings

For this open day you need to pre-book your ticket in advance. To book tickets please click on the book button below.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake.
Admission Adult: £25.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-17:00

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access to the main front garden, although pathways and the woodland walkway would limit access to certain parts of the garden.
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FAQs

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

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at Shute House at this time.

Sorry, no dogs are allowed in the garden at this time.

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

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

Yes. Shute House 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.