Top Gardens to Visit in Dorset
Posted on: 4th May 2023
Posted on: 4th May 2023
Although Dorset is of course famous for its stunning coastline, there are some hidden (and not so hidden) gardens that make for some amazing days out.
One of the closest gardens to visit near to our award-winning campsite, Upton Country Park’s Walled Garden is a beautiful space to enjoy with pretty borders which are amazing in the summer months. Take a picnic or purchase something from The Tea Room. Admission is free, however parking charges apply.
Photo credit: Flickr Julia Livesey
This stunning National Trust property offers a formal garden, a Japanese garden with a range of acers and extensive lawns.
The grounds come to life in spring with a mass of daffodils and in late spring, take walks through the Kingston Lacy estate to Pamphill for the bluebells.
Dogs are welcomed in the wider estate walks, but not in the formal gardens.
Tucked behind the Museum of East Dorset in nearby Wimborne, is a lovely walled garden with mill stream at the end. Within the garden, you can find many traditional fruit trees as well as quinces, a medlar, a walnut tree and a black mulberry.
Again, this garden is also home to a tea room.
This ornamental garden is considered one of the most important in England, boasting more than 10 acres of stunning grounds and plant and flower species from around the world.
Compton Acres is split into 5 distinct areas, each with its own look and feel including the Italian garden, which features statues, stone pillars and an Italian villa, which is often used for weddings and other events.
Compton Acres is just under 6 miles from our campsite so makes a very easy day out.
Photo credits: Flickr Rachel Joyce
Near to Weymouth, Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens offers a mixture of formal and informal gardens. It is famed for its camellia groves and magnolias as well as its colourful rhododendron and hydrangea collections.
You could easily combine a visit to the gardens with a trip to Abbotsbury Swannery.
Photo credit: Visit Dorset
Knoll Gardens is a naturalistic garden with swathes of grasses and striking perennials. Since 1994 it has been managed by internationally acclaimed gardener Neil Lucas and his team.
A great way to see more intimate gardens locally is on some of the NGS garden open days. Keep an eye on the NGS website, or look out for the yellow NGS booklets indicating some of the local gardens you can see.
As you can see, there are lots of different gardens to explore, so why not plan your stay with us today?
Whether you have your own motorhome, tent or caravan or fancy a spot of glamping, come and enjoy our award-winning facilities.
Book your stay online today or call our friendly reception team on 01202 622577.
You’ve converted me to camping! (Or glamping in my case!).
I just wanted to thank you for such a lovely stay.... 
Sophie, Apr 2024
Thank you for making our stay so fantastic.
For your complete commitment to us during our stay - thank you.... Mark and Stella , Mar 2024
What a fabulous place! Our first outing in our new campervan to try it out, the campsite and facilities are... thewardrobem, Nov 2023
