Gardens in Dorset listed here range from valley and water gardens to the grounds of historic houses. Events on soon come first, then places open all year. Every listing links to its source.
Open all year
A collection of internationally inspired gardens spanning ten acres, including Italian, Japanese, Heather, Valley and Rock and Water gardens. The site also has a plant centre and a cafe tearoom, with nature trails for children during school holidays. Dogs are welcome in selected areas, and free parking is available on site.
Open all year
A former Cistercian monastery turned private family home, set on the banks of the River Axe with around 30 acres of award-winning gardens and ponds. The gardens change through the seasons, from spring bulbs and tulips to summer roses and dahlias, autumn colour in the arboretum, and a working walled kitchen garden growing vegetables and pumpkins.
Open all year
A subtropical garden set in a sheltered woodland valley with its own micro-climate, close to the Fleet Lagoon and Chesil Beach. It holds notable collections of camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and hydrangeas, alongside a Victorian garden, Burma Rope Bridge and views of the Jurassic Coast. There is a coffee shop, gift shop and plant centre on site, with free car parking and dogs welcome on leads.
Open all year
Upton House, a Grade II* listed Georgian mansion, stands in 160 acres of parkland, woodland and formal gardens with 2.6km of shoreline and plenty of wildlife. Wander the botanical Walled Garden, let children play at Spurrier's Play Park, or see local artists' work in the Gallery Upstairs above the Tea Rooms. Admission is free every day, all year, and the park is open until dusk; car parking charges apply.
Open all year
Mapperton is a Jacobean manor house in West Dorset overlooking award-winning Italianate gardens with fountains, statues, topiary and herbaceous borders. These flow into woodland walks, wildflower meadows and ponds, with the Mapperton Wildlands rewilding project beyond. The estate also has a café, children's play areas and free parking.
Open all year
A family-run water garden on the edge of Chickerell, built on former clay pits and home to a National Plant Collection of water lilies. Grass paths wind through eight ponds, wetland planting and woodland, with a Monet-inspired bridge and a tropical house. There is a nature trail for children and a small museum on local history.
Open all year
Careys Secret Garden is a walled Victorian garden set against the backdrop of the Isle of Purbeck, rediscovered in 2019 and restored using rewilding and permaculture principles. The 3.5-acre site includes an arid garden, rose garden, orchard, wildflower meadow, tea and herb garden, food forest and wildlife pond. It suits families, with parent and toddler sessions on Friday mornings, and is open Wednesday to Saturday.
Open all year
Holme for Gardens is a 15-acre landscaped garden and garden centre in the Isle of Purbeck, near the Jurassic Coast. Visitors can wander through wildflower meadows, lavender hedges, a wisteria walk and kitchen garden, with ponds and patios to sit around. There is also a large indoor conservatory and a grass amphitheatre used for summer theatre and concerts.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens sits in a sheltered woodland valley close to Chesil Beach, Bennetts Water Gardens at Chickerell holds a National Plant Collection of water lilies, and Compton Acres in Poole has ten acres of internationally inspired gardens, from Italian to Japanese.
Mapperton and Forde Abbey pair historic houses with award-winning gardens, Careys Secret Garden is a restored walled Victorian garden on the Isle of Purbeck, and Holme for Gardens has wildflower meadows, a wisteria walk and a kitchen garden. Upton Country Park in Poole adds a walled garden to 160 acres of parkland. Check each garden's official page for opening times before you visit.