Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens One of Britain's best-known & best-loved gardens. A botanical treasure-trove, on the Jurassic coast. Many new exotic and unusual flowers have been introduced.
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Established in 1765 by Elizabeth, the first Countess of Ilchester, as a kitchen garden for her nearby castle. Developed since then into a magnificent 20 acre garden filled with rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Many of these plants were first introductions to this country, discovered by the plant hunting descendants of the Countess. For example, the false olive (Piccona excelsa), an

endangered species from the Canary Isles, was brought to Abbotsbury by William Fox-Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester, a diplomat on foreign service. By 1899 there were more than 5,000 different plants growing in the garden. The Garden Today

For the last twenty years the curator of Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens has been Stephen Griffith. He has masterminded the garden's renaissance following a great storm in 1990. Many features have been restored, such as the Gardener's Bothy, originally built to give young garden staff somewhere to sleep overnight - when they weren't stoking up boilers to keep glasshouses warm during periods of cold and frosty weather. Many old favourites have been cherished; remember that false olive? It's the only one of forest size in the British Isles. The Garden is a mixture of formal and informal flowers, world famous for its Camellia groves and magnolias. Noted in Dorset for its Rhododendron and Hydrangea collections and the charming Victorian Garden. Facilities include the Colonial Restaurant, a quality gift shop and a superb plant centre where many of the flowers grown in the Garden can be purchased. Entrance is free to the Restaurant, shop and plant centre. Regular events take place at the Garden including in October. Halloween is a major feature. Thousands of visitors dress in Halloween costumes and the Restaurant becomes a centre for Halloween celebrations. Don't miss stunning views of the Dorset Jurassic Coast from the viewpoint at the top of Magnolia Avenue.

✨ Be among the first to experience Abbotsbury Illuminate! ✨This October, we’re giving you an extra early week preview of...
27/08/2026

✨ Be among the first to experience Abbotsbury Illuminate! ✨

This October, we’re giving you an extra early week preview of Illuminate, throughout the October half term — ahead of the main winter season.

🌟 Our longest Illuminate route yet!
Presented by O T Event Technicians LTD, this brand-new trail takes you further into the gardens than ever before, with spectacular displays, magical moments and plenty of surprises to discover along the way.

🍂 Wander through the gardens after dark and experience Abbotsbury in a whole new light.

And that’s not all… ✨ Illuminate will return from the end of November and throughout December, when the gardens will be glowing once again to celebrate Christmas. 🎄✨

One brand-new trail. Two magical seasons. Our longest Illuminate route yet.

🌙 October half term — an exclusive early preview
🎄 End of November & December — Christmas Illuminate

Don’t miss the magic! ✨Tickets now on sale for October Half Term week. Christmas Illuminate tickets as well 🎫

Just to be transparent, it is the same trail October week and Christmas November & December dates.

www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk/events

This weekend Abbotsbury has lots happening, pop along to Abbey Farm, Abbotsbury Summer Fair.
26/08/2026

This weekend Abbotsbury has lots happening, pop along to Abbey Farm, Abbotsbury Summer Fair.

🌿 **Make the most of the last days of summer!** ☀️Now that the hot beach weather has tailed off, why not plan a visit to...
25/08/2026

🌿 **Make the most of the last days of summer!** ☀️

Now that the hot beach weather has tailed off, why not plan a visit to the Subtropical Gardens before it’s back to school? 🌴

This is the LAST WEEK of our Great British Summer Savings!🎉 Enjoy reduced adult entry, with children’s tickets just £1.

Come and explore the winding paths, discover fascinating plants and take on **Lancaster The Explorer trail** – a perfect adventure for curious young explorers! 🌿🗺️

Don’t miss out – your summer garden adventure awaits! 💚

23/08/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our Plant Fair, and of course to and to all the wonderful stallholders.🌿🌸

What a perfect Sunday! Breezy, warm and filled with beautiful plants, happy visitors and plenty of garden inspiration. 💚

Thank you for making it such a lovely day! 🌱✨

🌿 **Discover Dorset’s Top 6 Must-See Gardens!** 🌸From beautiful English garden design and spectacular planting to fascin...
20/08/2026

🌿 **Discover Dorset’s Top 6 Must-See Gardens!** 🌸

From beautiful English garden design and spectacular planting to fascinating history and hidden gems, Dorset is home to some truly unforgettable gardens.

✨ Explore six exceptional gardens showcasing the very best of Dorset’s horticultural heritage — each with its own character, stories and treasures waiting to be discovered. Sherborne Castle and Gardens Athelhampton House Forde Abbey and Gardens Minterne House Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands

🌺 Which one will you visit first?

YFW Bloodbikes will also be attending the Plant Fair on Sunday. Support the fundraising and understand how they support ...
19/08/2026

YFW Bloodbikes will also be attending the Plant Fair on Sunday. Support the fundraising and understand how they support the NHS 24/7 across Dorset and Somerset.

This weekend is a busy one for events, are you attending any as we would love to see you.

Saturday - 🏍️

Tesco Chard - Bucket Collection From 10:00-16:00

Bridport Carnival - we are bringing along a marked bike to lead the procession, a cracking event which we also attended last year.

Sunday - 🏍️

Yeovil showground carboot sale - 11:45-1500

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens plant fair from 10:00-17:00

Pimperne village. Dorset. Summer Fete from 12:00-18:00

A busy weekend for all our volunteers across the county in both Somerset & Dorset

17/08/2026
Plant Fair this coming Sunday 23rd August in association with Plant Heritage Dorset🌿 Entry includes the Subtropical Gard...
17/08/2026

Plant Fair this coming Sunday 23rd August in association with Plant Heritage Dorset

🌿 Entry includes the Subtropical Gardens 🌱
🎟️ Tickets available online or on the gate on the day
🚗 Free car parking
☕ Café & onsite Plant Centre open
🌻 New children’s plant trail
🌉 Rope bridge open

A chance to experience the gardens and meet plant growners from around the county.

www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk/events

10/08/2026

🌿 Plant Fair in association with Plant Heritage Dorset – Sunday 23rd August 🌿

Calling all plant lovers! 🌱 Join us on Sunday 23rd August for our popular Plant Fair, featuring a fantastic selection of stallholders offering a wide range of unusual, rare and interesting plants for your garden and home.

✨ What’s included?
🌴 Reduced-price entry to the beautiful Subtropical Gardens
🪴 Specialist plant nurseries and unique plant stalls
🚗 Free car parking
👧 Children £5
👶 Under 5s go free

🎟️ Tickets available on our website or can be purchased at the gate.

www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk/events

Don’t miss a wonderful day of plants and garden inspiration. Bring family and friends and enjoy exploring the gardens while discovering something special to take home.

Address

Bullers Way
Abbotsbury
DT34LA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441305871387

Website

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