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Garden Owners,
Please copy this information and paste it into an email to:   wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com

Please make any changes in BRIGHT RED in your email back to us.

Regards,
Armchair Travel Co Ltd
http://www.armchair-travel.com
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Garden Name: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Last Modified: 09/02/2010
Garden ID: 0173

pic: 0173_abbotsbury.jpg

Owner: Mr John Houston
Address:
Abbotsbury
Weymouth

Postcode: DT3 4LA
County: Dorset

tel: 01305 871387
fax: 01305871092
website: www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk
email: info {at} abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk

Features: 
Wooded valley with tallest English oak in the British Isles (40m.) Five other record trees. Colonial Tea House. New oak pavilion in rose garden. Jurassic Coast viewing platform. Magnolia avenue leading to it to be planted in 2007.
Unique Swannery attraction nearby, well worth a separate visit.

English Heritage Grade:
I

Opening Times:
Open every day - except 18th Dec - 1st Jan inclusive - 10am - 5pm or 6pm. Last admission 1 hour before closing.
Autumn/Winter; daily; 10am - 4pm or dusk if earlier.

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
March to November

To see: 
Camellia, magnolia, rhododendrons, Hydrangea, varied exotic

National Collection: 
Hebe

National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: No
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Gardens: Adult £9.50; Child £6.50; Over 60s £9; Family (2A + 3C) £26
Swannery: Adult £9.50; Child £6.50; Over 60s £9; Family (2A + 3C) £26
Children's Farm: Adult £8; Child £6.50; Over 60s £7.50; Family (2A + 3C) £26
3 sites Rates: Adult £15; Child £10; Over 60s £14; Family (2A + 3C) £35
Group rates, School Group rates and Season tickets available.

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Many exciting events including Giant Easter Egg Hunt, Flower Arranging Display 7/8th June, Summer Family Concert 5th July, The Enchanted Floodlit Gardens 16th Oct - 2nd Nov, Dusk - 8.30pm


Designer: Countess of Ilchester
Description of Garden:
Since the restoration after the great storm of 1990, many new exotic and unusual plants have been introduced. The garden is now a mixture of formal and informal, with charming walled garden walks and spectacular woodland valley views. World famous for its Camellia groves and magnolias, noted for its Rhododendrons and Hydrangea collections. In summer it is awash with sub-tropical colour.


History: 
Established in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester as a kitchen garden to her nearby castle. Developed since then into a magnificent 20 acre garden filled with rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Many of these were new introductions to this country, found by the plant hunting decendants of the countess.

Local Inns: 
Elm Tree, Langton Herring

Accomodation: 
Manor Hotel, West Bexington

Restaurants: 
Manor Hotel, West Bexington

Village/Town/Sightseeing: