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Dorset Historic Houses

Athelhampton House & Gardens

One of the finest 15th Century houses in England, containing many magnificently furnished rooms including The Great Hall of 1485 and the newly opened Library. There are wonderful Grade I gardens, dating from 1891 and contain the world-famous topiary pyramids, fountains, the River Piddle and collections of tulips, magnolias, roses, clematis and lilies in season.

Athelhampton DT2 7LG  Tel: 01305 843363    Email

Kingston Lacy 

A 17th century house designed by Sir Robert Pratt for Sir Ralph Bankes to replace his ruined family seat at Corfe Castle. The house was altered in the 19th century, and contains a fine collection of paintings and an exhibition of Egyptian artefacts from 3,000BC.

There is a restored Edwardian Japaneses garden with winter snowdrops in February, award winning donated spring collections of camellias, hybrid azaleas, rhododendrons and in the summer lovely hanging baskets, floribunda roses, parterre, sunken garden; there is also the fernery, cedar walk and lime walk planted in the 17th century.

Wimborne BH21 4EA  Tel: 01202 883402

Kingston Maurward Garden & Animal Park

Has been described as both a "hidden gem" and "one of Dorset's best kept secrets!" Formal Edwardian garden with a stunning ornamental lake in front of the 18th Century Mansion House. The Animal Park has a collection of miniature Shetland ponies, donkeys, rabbits & guinea pigs. Light refreshments available, play area, shop and plant sales.

Dorchester,  DT2 8PY   Tel 01305 215003   Email

Mapperton House & Gardens

Mapperton Gardens is a romantic valley garden deep into a lost Dorset combe among tumbling hills and unspoilt countryside. The gardens descend from the great lawn, through the formal topiary down to the valley garden. The manor house with its church, stable block, coach house, dovecote and courtyard is essentially a part of its countryside, a glorious harmony of golden sandstone. The house, Elizabethan in origin, enlarged in the late 1670s, is a marvellous example of a West Country manor that fits in with its surroundings and almost grows with them.

Beaminster  DT8 3NR  Tel: 01308 862645   Email