*************
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
*************



Garden Name: Forde Abbey
Last Modified: 27/01/2010
Garden ID: 0013

pic: 0013_Forde.jpg

Owner: Mr. & Mrs J Kennard
Address:
Chard


Postcode: TA20 4LU
County: Dorset

tel: 01460-221290
fax: 
website: www.fordeabbey.co.uk
email: info {at} fordeabbey.co.uk

Features: 
Extensive spring bulb display, bog garden with asiatic primulas, ponds, herbaceous borders, Ionic Temple, arboretum and walled working kitchen garden.
"Enjoy England" Awards for Excellence Silver Award Winner 2008
Gold Award Winner - South West Tourism Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2007 & 2006

English Heritage Grade:
I

Opening Times:
Open all round the year; 10.am - 4.30pm (last admission) 6.30pm garden closes

Best Times of Year to Visit: 


To see: 


National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: Special rates available for groups of 15+

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments: call 01460-220231 

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: 12noon - 4pm every day except Mon & Sat from 30th March - 31st Oct.
Open on Bank Holidays

Admission Prices:
Adult Gardens only £8.50, House and Gardens £10.50; Children under 15 free; Over 60s Gardens only £7.50 House and Gardens £9.50; Groups of 15+ Gardens only £6.50pp; House & gardens £7.50pp; with guided tour £9.00pp
Children's Groups £3.50. Season tickets: £24 single, £39 double. Apply for 2 guest tickets @£4.50
Guided Tours for pre-booked groups of 20+ £6pp
Winter entry £4 via 'honesty box'

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:
Nursery with fine and rare plants.


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
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: 
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.

Local Inns: 
Cotley Inn, Wambrook

Accomodation: 
Bellplot House Hotel, Chard
Watermeadow House, Hooke, Beaminster

Restaurants: 
Bridge House Hotel, Beaminster

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Chard