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Forde Abbey
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Forde Abbey
Chard


TA20 4LU

tel: 01460-221290
fax:

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

Forde Abbey -- Dorset
Visitor Information www.fordeabbey.co.uk -- email: info {at} fordeabbey.co.uk

Forde Abbey
Dorset
All details updated* as of: 27/01/2010
Text-Only version here

Disabled information plus mobility and walking aids
 Opening Days and Hours

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

Parties / Coaches: Yes
Special rates available for groups of 15+
Groups / Coaches need Appointment: Yes
call 01460-220231

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

National Garden Scheme days: No
Best Times of Year to Visit:
To see:
 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'
 Onsite Facilities
Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Light Refreshment: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs Allowed: Yes
On Lead only: Yes
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.
"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 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
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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 27/01/2010

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0013_Forde.jpg - Forde Abbey (Dorset)