GW holiday: Explore the gardens of Dorset and Somerset

This BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Exclusive Tour of Dorset and Somerset is designed to give you a full taste of the West Country’s garden life. These counties are rich in beautiful countryside, picturesque towns and villages, and a plethora of superb gardens offering a variety of styles.

Discover the subtropical gardens at Abbotsbury and the formal Italianate gardens at Mapperton, explore private gardens reflecting past and present owners’ tastes, and a walled garden project on the Isle of Purbeck.

With guided tours and some inspiring talks from head gardeners, mixed with free visits for independent exploring, this tour with expert plantsman David Hurrion is not to be missed.

Your holiday includes

• Four nights’ bed and breakfast at The Crown Hotel in Blandford Forum, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Welcome drink
• First night: three-course dinner with wine, tea/coffee
• Last night: three-course dinner, with tea/coffee (wine not included)
• All talks, guided tours, and admissions as per itinerary
• All coach travel as per itinerary
• Tour manager and garden expert throughout

Garden Highlights

• Mapperton House and Gardens
• Mappercombe Manor
• Batcombe House Gardens
• The Newt
• Careys Secret Garden
• Sculpture by the Lakes
• Abbotsbury
• Forde Abbey

Your itinerary

• DAY 1 Check in independently to the hotel. Welcome drink, introductory talk by David Hurrion and group dinner.
• DAY 2 Mapperton House and Gardens and Mappercombe Manor. The first tour takes us to Mapperton House and Gardens, home to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. There will be time to visit this fine manor house as well as a guided tour of the gardens, which are known for their romantic setting, varied planting and views of the Dorset hills. Free time for lunch (not included) then a drive to Mappercombe Manor, dating from the 17th century and originally a monks’ rest house. Follow the ancient monastic route at the south-facing garden set over four levels, and enjoy surrounding views and well planted borders.
• DAY 3 Batcombe House Gardens and The Newt. In the morning, we visit Batcombe House for a guided tour with David Hurrion. From here, the coach will travel to the renowned Newt, a fabulous Georgian estate with a luxurious hotel and exquisite grounds and gardens, both decorative and functional in providing vegetables for the hotel’s restaurant and garden café. We have time for lunch (own expense) before visiting the gardens.
• DAY 4 Careys Secret Garden and Sculpture by the Lakes. Today we visit Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck, and Careys Secret Garden – a project to restore a neglected walled garden, left wild for over 40 years. We explore the recent planting of edible hedgerows, fruit trees, roses, flowers and a vegetable and herb garden. The garden also features seven full-size pieces of the Berlin Wall. In the afternoon, we head to Sculpture by the Lakes. Set around former fishing lakes, this botanic garden boasts a Kitchen Garden, an important collection of threatened conifers from around the world, and over 120 sculptures. We have time to enjoy the art and landscape while we explore the garden.
• DAY 5 Abbotsbury and Forde Abbey. Morning visit to Abbotsbury subtropical gardens, with 30 acres and over 6,000 species of plants from across the world. Voted Historic Houses Association/Christie’s Garden of the Year in 2012, the gardens command a wonderful view of the Jurassic Coast at the top of the Magnolia Walk. After free time for lunch (not included) we visit Forde Abbey, a 900-year-old house with stunning tapestries and a rich history. Explore the award-winning gardens, which incorporate both formal and informal aspects of garden design, with a spiral garden, woodland, long borders and arboretum. We return to the hotel around 5pm.

Your accommodation

• Sitting at the heart of Blandford Forum, The Crown Hotel immerses you in centuries of history, as well as the modern-day comforts. The hotel is a winning choice for locals and visitors alike, thanks to characterful spaces, fine food and warm hospitality.

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