4 nights starting from
£1459
Forde Abbey
Batcombe
Batcombe House & Gardens
The Newt Hotel
The Newt © Bella Eadie-Perowne-International
Sculpture by the Lakes
Search for Enlightenment by Simon Gudgeon © Sculpture by the Lakes
Luna by Simon Gudgeon © Sculpture by the Lakes
Abbotsbury Gardens
Forde Abbey Glasshouse
Forde Abbey Walled Garden
This Gardeners World Exclusive Tour of Dorset and Somerset is designed to give you a full taste of the West Country’s garden life. These counties are rich in beautiful countryside, picturesque towns and villages and a plethora of superb gardens offering a variety of styles – from sub-tropical at Abbotsbury, to the formal Italianate gardens at Mapperton, private gardens reflecting past and present owners’ tastes, and a walled garden project on the Isle of Purbeck. With guided tours and some inspiring talks from head gardeners, mixed with free flow visits for independent exploring, this tour with expert plantsman David Hurrion is not to be missed.
Available Departures |
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| 22 - September - 2025 | £ 1459.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Check in independently to the hotel
Welcome drink, introductory talk from your host and guide, David Hurrion and private dinner with wine.
Day 2: Mapperton House & Gardens and Mappercombe Manor
Our first day of touring takes us to Mapperton House and Gardens, home to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. There will be time to visit this fine manor house as well as a guided tour of the award-winning gardens which are known for their romantic setting, varied planting and views of the Dorset hills. Free time for lunch (not included) then we drive to Mappercombe Manor which dates from the 17th century and was originally a monks’ rest house. Follow the ancient monastic route at this interesting south facing garden set over four levels, and enjoy the surrounding views, roses and well-planted borders.
Day 3: Batcombe House Gardens and the Newt
This morning, we head to Batcombe House for a guided tour with the head gardener of the wonderful gardens created by garden designer, Libby Russell over the past two decades. From here, we will travel to the renowned Newt, a fabulous Georgian estate with a luxurious hotel and exquisite grounds and gardens, both decorative and functional in providing vegetables for the hotel’s restaurant and garden café, where we will enjoy lunch and a talk from the head gardener before visiting the gardens.
Day 4: Careys Secret Garden, and Sculpture By The Lakes
Today we visit Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck, and Careys Secret Garden which is a project to restore a neglected walled garden. Left wild for over 40 years, we explore the recent planting of edible hedgerows, fruit trees, roses, flowers, and a vegetable and herb garden. The garden also features seven full size pieces of the Berlin Wall which is sure to spark conversation between visitors to this interesting project garden. This afternoon with visit one of the UK’s most beautiful sculpture parks, Sculpture By The Lakes. Set around former fishing lakes, this botanic garden boasts a Kitchen Garden, an important collection of threatened conifers from around the world, and over 120 sculptures. We have time to enjoy the art and landscape while we explore the garden.
Day 5: Abbotsbury and Forde Abbey
Morning visit to the subtropical gardens at Abbotsbury, with 30 acres and over 6000 species of plants from across the world. Voted Historic Houses Association/Christie’s Garden of the Year in 2012, the gardens command a wonderful view of the Jurassic Coast at the top of the Magnolia Walk. After free time for lunch (own expense) we visit Forde Abbey, a 900-year-old house with stunning tapestries and a rich history. Explore the award-winning gardens which incorporate both the formal and informal aspects of garden design, with a spiral garden, woodland, long borders and arboretum. Return to the hotel around 5pm.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 40 passengers.
Tour Grading: This tour has been graded as moderate due to time spent walking around the gardens and standing time on tours. Pathways may be gravel, paved, or grass and will be uneven in places. After rainfall some paths may be muddy and slippery. Some gardens contain steps and terraces, without handrails. There will be some places to sit at each garden to enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Crown Hotel, Blandford Forum
The Crown Hotel sits on the edge of Blandford Forum, and offers a restaurant, terrace, garden and bar. There has been an inn on this site since the 1300s. The comfortable bedrooms offer ensuite bathroom, TV, heating, and hairdryer.
David Hurrion your Tour Manager/Guide
David started gardening as a young child and has been growing plants for more than 40 years. He has worked in gardens and nurseries, growing on a range of different soils and in different types of microclimate. His extensive knowledge and practical experience of plants, crops and growing techniques is founded on a thorough botanical and scientific training, complemented by an in-depth understanding of garden design, wildlife, geology and climatology. He also trained as a teacher and has taught a huge diversity of subjects from botany, soil science and plant identification, to propagation, garden design and crop production, and from City & Guilds through to Degree level. He is also a popular speaker with local gardening groups.
As a journalist, David has spent more than 20 years writing for and editing the nation’s crop of garden magazines, currently as Associate Editor for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. He has also written for a number of websites and appeared both as a regular contributor and an expert commentator on TV and radio. David is a popular figure in the horticultural world, well liked and respected for his knowledge by nurserymen, professional gardeners, journalists and the gardening public. He has designed, built and planted show gardens and display stands at most of the major garden shows in the UK, including the world famous Chelsea Flower Show, and is now a Designate Judge for the Royal Horticultural Society. He has also travelled to every continent, with the exception of Antarctica, to discover plants and gardens, both independently and on more than 50 trips accompanying groups of gardeners.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6.30pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-August-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 28-August-2022
100% plus for Tour Guide David Hurrion and coach driver Justin. Hotel very good staff helpful and food of a good standard. Thoroughly recommend and will lookout for future trips I might like to join.
Review by Gorbeck who travelled 28-August-2022
Really well organised tour, David Hurrian was an exceptional tour guide, ensured the routes to and from the gardens were full of lovely scenery and provided a full commentary of the surrounding areas.
Review by Phelon who travelled 28-August-2022
