Summer Special Garden Tours

The magical Grade 1 listed, award-winning gardens at Athelhampton will be at their Springtime best in May, with the flowers blooming in the beautiful circular Corona (nothing to do with Covid!), the suntrap Mediterranean garden inviting you to linger in the warm, the vegetables starting to sprout in the Kitchen gardens and of course, the fountain and the river tinkling away.

Join an exclusive tour with our Head Gardener, Nicky Brett, and the Estate Manager, Owen Davies. 

Hear about the latest plantings, as well as about the history of the garden’s construction by Inigo Thomas in the 1890s and the films made here by Maggie Smith, Michael Caine and many others. Take advantage of being in a small group to ask any and every question you want, on anything from composting to pear varieties.

We invite you to join us before the normal opening hours, anytime from 9.30 am for coffee or tea in the east-facing Parlour which fills with sunlight on a bright morning, or on the sunny private terrace just outside if you prefer.

At 10.15, we set off on the first part of the guided tour, led by the Head Gardener, which will visit all parts of the gardens including those not normally open to the public such as the Greenhouses and the Yard. Around 11.15, there is a short break with time for another hot drink and a biscuit.

Then at about 11.30 the second part of the garden tour begins, led by the Estate Manager who will explain all about the origin and design of the gardens, commissioned by the eccentric Alfred Cart de la Fontaine and developed by successive owners.

At around 12.30 there will be a buffet lunch* in a private room, and when you have finished enjoying that, you are welcome to wander round the gardens by yourself and to visit the house. *Alcoholic drinks not included

Tickets £50 pp to include refreshments and tours as described; HHA members £40.

FLEXIBLE BOOKING and COVID GUARANTEE: Pay now, but fully refundable until three weeks before the visit when the ticket becomes non-refundable; however if we or you are forced to cancel at anytime before the day due to Covid, all charges are refundable or we will happily re-book you.

In the event that Covid restrictions allow us to open the Gardens but prevent the House from opening, the tour will still go ahead with modifications as necessary, and you will be welcome to return to the house on a later day when it can be open.