There is something quietly transformative about walking through a beautifully tended garden. In Dorset, where sea air mingles with rolling hills and ancient woodland, gardens reflect both the county’s wild beauty and its deep-rooted love of horticulture. Whether formal or quietly overgrown, coastal or hidden behind high walls, they offer sanctuary, inspiration – and often, a little magic.
Are you visiting Dorset this summer? Unwind after and inspiring day visiting gardens at our country house hotel, or join us for dinner.
Here are six of the best gardens to visit in Dorset UK
(Including one rather special spot of our own!).
1. Carey’s Secret Garden
A relatively new addition to Dorset’s garden scene, Carey’s Secret Garden is one of those rare finds that feels almost whispered about. Hidden behind a 300-year-old wall and only accessible with pre-booked timed entry, this is a garden rooted in principles of sustainability and rewilding.
Expect wildlife-rich borders, forest gardens, and native planting schemes designed to support bees, butterflies, and birds. There’s a real sense of peaceful discovery here – perfect for those who favour quiet beauty over grandeur. A garden with soul.
2. Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Set in a sheltered coastal valley near Chesil Beach, Abbotsbury is an extraordinary horticultural haven where rare and exotic plants flourish. Thanks to its unique microclimate, you’ll find palms, camellias, bamboo and gunnera growing in full flourish.
Winding paths lead through lush, almost jungle-like planting, and the Victorian walled garden adds historic charm. It’s a garden full of surprises – best explored slowly.
3. Mapperton House and Gardens
Voted the nation’s finest manor house, Mapperton combines historic architecture with romantic, terraced gardens that tumble down into a lush, wooded valley. Think topiary, stone staircases, wildflower meadows and views that seem unchanged for centuries.
There’s a dreamlike quality to Mapperton – especially in high summer when roses climb and the Italianate ponds catch the light.
4. Forde Abbey Gardens
A former Cistercian monastery with over 30 acres of gardens, Forde Abbey offers formality, scale, and an unexpected sense of tranquillity. The kitchen garden is a delight, the fountain is the tallest in England, and the herbaceous borders are a riot of colour come midsummer.
Perfect for peaceful days outdoors, with room to roam and reflect.
5. Kingston Lacy (National Trust)
This elegant estate near Wimborne offers a mix of sweeping grandeur and horticultural precision. Expect formal parterres, wild woodland walks, and a Japanese garden that feels like another world entirely. In spring, the grounds are carpeted with snowdrops and bluebells – utterly enchanting.
6. The Priory, Wareham
Tucked away in the corner of Wareham, our landscaped gardens sweep gently down to the banks of the River Frome, offering ever-changing views that follow the rhythm of the seasons.
Neatly clipped lawns, fragrant borders, and ancient trees provide a serene backdrop to leisurely lunches or early evening drinks. Whether you join us for a riverside stroll or simply to watch the sun dip below the trees with something chilled in hand, we hope you’ll linger a little longer in our corner of Dorset.
Are you looking for something to drink, a place to stay or delicious local cuisine?
Whatever gardens you choose to visit, Dorset is the perfect place to feel inspired and slow down with nature. We can’t wait to hear your opinion – what are your favourite gardens to visit in Dorset?
