Forde Abbey (Dorset) - © Gardens-Guide.com - OPEN GARDENS UK & Ireland - Features, Admission, Maps, History, and Local Amenities

Forde Abbey

Forde Abbey
Chard

TA20 4LU

tel: 01460-221290
fax:

Area: Dorset
Show Map Location:
Overview Map (30 Km)
Detailed Map (1.5 Km)

Visitor Information

www.fordeabbey.co.uk

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Forde Abbey
Dorset
All details updated* as of: 20/02/2008

Disabled information plus mobility and walking aids

Opening Days and Hours

Open all round the year; 10.am - 4.30pm (last admission)

Parties / Coaches: Yes

Groups / Coaches need Appointment: Yes
call 01460-220231

House Open for Viewing: Yes
12noon - 4pm every day except Mon & Sat from 2nd Apr - 31st Oct.
Open on Bank Holidays

National Garden Scheme days: No

Best Times of Year to Visit:

To see:

Admission Prices

For up-to-date admission prices, please call 01460 221290.

Onsite Facilities

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes

Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes

Teas: Yes
Light Refreshment: Yes
Picnics: No

Dogs Allowed: Yes
On Lead only: No
Special Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Nursery with fine and rare plants.

Garden Features

Extensive spring bulb display, bog garden with asiatic primulas, ponds, herbaceous borders, Ionic Temple, arboretum and walled working kitchen garden.

English Heritage Garden Grade: I

National Collection:

Description of Garden

Designer:

A splendid 30-acre garden surrounding the Medieval house. Bordered on one side by the River Axe which forms the county boundary between Somerset and Dorset, its water features are fed by a spring and include a Great Pond, a series of smaller pools, cascades and also a canal near the house. These, together with the herbaceous borders and yew trees and beautiful mature trees on sloping lawns create a tranquil and pleasing environment. The owners have developed a superb Bog Garden with spectacular irises, primulas and hostas which can easily be inspected from the gravel paths and decking running through it.

An extraordinary Beech House, a folly which has been constructed entirely of living saplings, includes a roof and small windows. The walled garden, in use since the monks were here, has an excellent variety of fruits, vegetables and cutting flowers, with the expected greenhouses also full of delights. The arboretum has been extended since WWII and features some magnificent specimens.

History of Garden

Forde was originally a Cistercian abbey, founded over 800 years ago; it has been in private hands since 1650.
The Rock Garden was planted by Jack Drake.

Nearby Dorset Hotels, Facilities & Amenities

Hotels & Accommodation:
Bellplot House Hotel, Chard
Watermeadow House, Hooke, Beaminster

Restaurants:
Bridge House Hotel, Beaminster

Inns & Pubs:
Cotley Inn, Wambrook

Villages / Towns / Sightseeing:
Chard

- Dorset

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*Information Updates
We directly contact each garden for update information every year.
(Most recently requested in Jan - Feb 2008)

The garden information above was last updated on 20/02/2008

If this is your garden page, and you see any errors,
please contact us and we will correct them immediately.

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0013_Forde.jpg - Forde Abbey (Dorset)