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Dorset Escapes
The English Garden

A seven day extravaganza of the best gardens in the county but we will also introduce you to some interesting and lesser-known gardens.

Many gardens are open all summer but if you are visiting during the early summer, you may be lucky enough to visit whilst one of the villages has their gardens open to visitors. This is especially interesting for overseas visitors as it provides a peak behind the garden gate, revealing the diversity of today’s English garden, from small, modern courtyards to the extensive, landscaped gardens of enthusiastic plantsmen and women. The friendly owners are always happy to chat to their visitors and share their knowledge and some villages have over thirty gardens opening their gates for the day.

We will also know of any local gardens participating in The National Gardens Scheme which opens privately owned gardens on selected dates for charity and we can include these in your itinerary. The scheme was founded in 1927 with the aim of "opening gardens of quality, character and interest to the public for charity".

We are happy to work your itinerary around any other things you would like to include and can recommend places for lunch or provide picnics (we know some great spots!) of locally sourced, artisinal food.

Bridge over the lake in Stourhead Gardens

No. of nights:

6

Availability:

Apr - Aug

Price:

£1,185 pp

Price includes accommodation at a comfortable inn, breakfast and tours (excluding entrance fees) and are based on two people sharing.  We can also book lunch and dinner and arrange transfers from airports and stations at additional cost.

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Arrive at your accommodation and settle in with time to explore around the local area.

Day 2 - A visit to the magnificent Tudor house at Athelhampton with its beautiful formal gardens.

Day 3 - A day of seasonal interest, either smaller local manor houses, village open gardens or National Garden Scheme gardens.

Day 4 - Visit Forde Abbey where you can explore the extensive gardens and wonder at the highest water fountain in the country, soaring to an astonishing 160 feet.

Day 5 - A relaxed day exploring the Himalayan Gardens at Minterne and Sherborne Castle with its lake and gardens.

Day 6 - Sneak across the border to Wiltshire to visit magnificent Stourhead with its paladian mansion and acres of landscaped gardens, including temples and a subterranean grotto. Not in Dorset we know but when you are this close it would be a shame to miss it.

Day 7 - Return home after a hearty breakfast.

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