RHS Chelsea Flower Show Inspiration Returns to Athelhampton House & Gardens in Dorset
- Owen Davies - Estate Manager
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Even the rain could not dampen spirits as members of the team from Athelhampton House & Gardens travelled to London on Tuesday 19th May to visit the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
While grey skies and showers followed gardeners both in Dorset and London, the annual flower show still provided a huge source of inspiration for the future of Athelhampton’s award winning gardens, which continue to evolve year after year.
As an official RHS Partner Garden, Athelhampton is proud to work closely with the Royal Horticultural Society and welcomes RHS members free of charge every Saturday throughout the year, making it one of the most rewarding garden visits in Dorset for RHS supporters exploring the South West.
The Chelsea Flower Show remains one of the highlights of the gardening calendar, bringing together leading designers, specialist growers, historic gardens and new ideas from across the world. For the Athelhampton team, the visit is not simply a day out, but an opportunity to gather inspiration that may help shape future planting schemes, seasonal displays and long term garden projects back here in Dorset.
From vibrant herbaceous borders and innovative planting combinations, to sustainability ideas and wildlife friendly gardening, there was plenty to admire despite the umbrellas making frequent appearances throughout the day.
One unexpected highlight was an extraordinary outdoor G scale model railway display, weaving through detailed planting and miniature landscaping. The combination of horticulture, engineering and storytelling captured the imagination of the team and has already sparked conversations about a future garden railway project near Athelhampton’s Kitchen Garden area. While still at the early ideas stage, the concept could create another fascinating feature for visitors exploring the gardens in years to come.
Back at Athelhampton House & Gardens, the gardens continue to flourish through late spring, with visitors already enjoying the famous Great Court, historic yew pyramids, formal Tudor inspired architecture and evolving seasonal borders. With plans continuing to develop for future enhancements during the 2026 and 2027 seasons, visits to Chelsea remain an important part of keeping ideas fresh while respecting the historic character of one of England’s finest Tudor manor houses.
The gardens at Athelhampton combine over five acres of formal design with hidden corners, water features, architectural planting and views across the Dorset countryside. Originally redesigned in the late nineteenth century by Francis Inigo Thomas, the gardens remain among the finest examples of Arts and Crafts influenced garden design in the country.
Visitors to Dorset looking for beautiful gardens, historic houses and relaxing days out can explore Athelhampton seven days a week throughout the year. The House & Gardens are located near Dorchester and are easily reached from across Dorset, Somerset and the South Coast.
RHS members are reminded that free garden entry is available at Athelhampton every Saturday as part of the RHS Partner Garden scheme.
For visitors planning a day out in Dorset, Athelhampton House & Gardens offers historic interiors, award winning gardens, the Coach House Restaurant, afternoon teas, EV charging and one of the most peaceful garden settings in the county.
