These beautiful gardens in the county are opening as part of the the National Garden Scheme, which gives unique access to more than 3,500 private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, raising money for nursing and health charities.
This year, visitors can enjoy these gardens in Dorset with venues welcoming guests.
Around £74million has been raised for Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute, with £3.5million being donated last year thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors.
Here are some secret venues in Dorset open this summer.
Pugin Hall, Rampisham
Pugin Hall, Rampisham (Image: NGS)
Saturday, August 30, Sunday, August 31 and Sunday, September 14 (All 12pm to 5pm)
Pugin Hall was once Rampisham Rectory, designed in 1847 by Augustus Pugin, who also helped to design the interior of the Houses of Parliament.
A Grade I listed building, it is surrounded by 4½ acres of garden, inc a large front lawn with rhododendrons, a walled garden filled with topiary and soft floral planting, orchard and beyond the River Frome a woodland walk.
There will be home-made teas at Pugin Hall.
Admission: Adult: £6 Child £3
Dorset Dahlias, Befferlands Farm, Charmouth
Dorset Dahlias (Image: NGS)
Sunday, September 7, 2pm to 4pm (Pre-booking essential)
Dorset Dahlias started 9 yrs ago at Befferlands Farm and has since overtaken the kitchen garden and a large patch in one of the farm fields.
Dahlias are grown in rows and organised by colour, with up to 80 different varieties grown, and around 600 plants, that bloom from late Jul until late Oct. There are multiple colours from whites and baby pinks through to bright corals, oranges and pinks.
Tea, coffee and cake will be served.
Admission: Adult: £25 Child: Free
Muddy Patches, West Street, Abbotsbury
Muddy Patches, Abbotsbury (Image: NGS) Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 (All 10am to 4pm)
A beautiful village garden set in the glorious Dorset countryside with amazing views of the rolling hills and the historic St Catherine’s Chapel.
Enjoy a stroll around the gardens and see the amazing range of native and tropical plants, explore our wildlife area, visit the fairies in their garden or enjoy a delicious lunch, cake or ice cream. On site free parking available.
Admission: Adult: £4 Child: £2
Farrs, 3 Whitcombe Road, Beaminster
Farrs (Image: NGS)
Wednesday, September 24, 2pm to 4.30pm (Pre-booking essential)
Enjoy several distinctive walled gardens, rolling lawns, sculpture and giant topiary around one of Beaminster’s historic town houses.
John’s inspirational grass garden and Jennie’s very contrasting garden with an oak fruit cage; a riot of colour.
Glasshouse, straw bale studio, geese in orchard. Remarkable trees, planked and seasoning in open sided barn for future furniture commissions.
There will be refreshments, cream teas in the house or garden, weather dependent.
This garden will also make a donation to Victoria & Albert Foundation.
Admission: Adult £40.00
Slape Manor, Netherbury, Bridport
Slape Manor garden, Netherbury (Image: NGS)
Thursday, September 25 & Sunday, October 5 (All 1pm to 5pm)
This river valley garden is in a process of transformation.
Spacious lawns, wildflower meadows, and primula fringed streams leading down to a lake. Walk over the stream with magnificent hostas, gunneras and horizontal Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans’ around the lake.
Admire the mature wellingtonias, ancient wisterias, rhododendrons and planting around the house. Kitchen garden renovation underway.
Admission: Adult: £15 Child: Free
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