​Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens and Athelhampton House & Gardens
August admission offer.
Two great Dorset gardens, one summer saving
This August, Athelhampton House & Gardens and Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens are joining together for a special visitor offer celebrating the friendship between two of Dorset’s most distinctive gardens.
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Show your Athelhampton admission ticket when visiting Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens and receive 50% off garden entry. Alternatively, present your Abbotsbury admission ticket at Athelhampton and receive the same 50% discount.
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It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy two very different garden experiences and make a significant saving on two memorable summer days out in Dorset.
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Discover Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Set within 30 acres of beautiful West Dorset countryside, Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens are home to more than 6,000 plant species from around the world. This internationally renowned garden combines rare and exotic planting with historic features, winding pathways and far-reaching views towards the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
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The Gardens were established in 1765 by Elizabeth Fox-Strangways, the 1st Countess of Ilchester, as a kitchen garden for her nearby castle. Over more than 250 years, they have developed into an extraordinary botanical collection, shaped by generations of plant hunters and gardeners.
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Today, visitors can explore an eighteenth-century walled garden, ornamental lily ponds, a charming Victorian Garden and informal woodland walks. Memorable red bridges, a rope bridge and secluded pathways add a sense of discovery, while the sheltered coastal setting allows an exceptional range of subtropical plants to flourish.
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A subtropical paradise in Dorset
Abbotsbury is especially celebrated for its magnificent camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and hydrangeas, alongside Chusan palms, hardy ferns and Mediterranean plants. Sweeping drifts of colourful planting create an atmosphere more often associated with distant tropical landscapes.
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The Gardens combine formal areas with exuberant and naturalistic planting, offering something different around every corner. Seasonal displays change throughout the year, from spring magnolias and camellias to summer hydrangeas, lush foliage and richly planted borders.
Abbotsbury also plays an important role in displaying and conserving unusual plants from across the world. Its remarkable collection includes one of the finest displays of Mediterranean plants in the United Kingdom.
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Two contrasting gardens that complement one another
The relaxed, immersive and richly planted landscape at Abbotsbury provides a wonderful contrast to the formal structure of the gardens at Athelhampton.
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At Athelhampton, clipped yew, carefully framed views, garden rooms and strong architectural lines reflect the history and symmetry of the Tudor manor house. Abbotsbury offers a different experience, with winding paths, towering subtropical planting and unexpected discoveries creating the feeling of exploring a distant landscape.
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Together, the two gardens demonstrate the extraordinary variety of garden design found in Dorset. One is shaped by formal structure and historic geometry; the other by botanical abundance and subtropical atmosphere. Both reward exploration and offer visitors colour, history and inspiration throughout the seasons.
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Sculpture in the Gardens
Contemporary sculpture adds another layer of interest to Abbotsbury’s subtropical landscape. Four works by figurative sculptor Brendon Murless, titled Serenity, Emergence, Listen to the Forest II and Queen Bee, have been placed throughout the Gardens.
Inspired by the human form and the natural world, the sculptures invite visitors to pause and view their surroundings from a different perspective. Queen Bee, located in the Victorian Garden, reflects the movement and resilience of wild honey bees and highlights their importance within the wider landscape.
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Specialist Plant Centre
The Abbotsbury Gardens Plant Centre offers visitors the opportunity to take home plants inspired by the collections seen during their visit.
Many are grown behind the scenes in the Gardens’ own nursery and have been carefully selected and tested by the gardening team. The range includes unusual and specialist plants, hardy ferns, succulents, seasonal varieties and houseplants, providing inspiration for gardens of all sizes.
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Café at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
The café provides a relaxing place to enjoy lunch, afternoon tea or coffee during a visit. Its wooden veranda and courtyard are surrounded by subtropical planting, extending the atmosphere of the Gardens into the dining area.
The menu includes homemade light meals, savoury pastries, sandwiches, soup and cakes, together with hot and cold drinks and a selection of local beer and cider. Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan choices are available. Visitors should speak to the team about allergies or dietary requirements. The café is open daily from 10am until 4.30pm.
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Plan two great garden days out in Dorset
With rare plants, historic garden features, coastal views and peaceful woodland paths, Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens offer one of the most distinctive garden visits in Dorset.
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Combined with the formal gardens, historic house and architectural beauty of Athelhampton, this August collaboration offers the perfect opportunity to experience two exceptional Dorset attractions and enjoy 50% off admission to the second attraction.
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This offer is open to Abbotsbury Season Ticket Holders.
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Remember to retain your ticket to show at Abbotsbury.
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