Highlights
- The 18th century walled garden
- Camellia groves, magnolias, rhododendrons and hydrangeas
- A 36 metre rope bridge over the largest pond
- A viewpoint over Chesil Beach and the Jurassic Coast
About Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Abbotsbury's gardens were established in 1765 by Elizabeth, 1st Countess of Ilchester, as a kitchen garden for the nearby castle. The land is tied to the Fox-Strangways family, whose ancestor Sir Giles Strangways leased the former abbey lands in 1541. Over time the kitchen garden grew into a collection of exotic and tender plants.
The garden sits less than a mile from the sea, giving it a microclimate that is milder in winter and cooler in summer. A major restoration began after the great storm of 1990, bringing in many new exotic and unusual plants. It now covers more than 30 acres and holds over 6,000 plant species.
What to see
- The walled garden: the 18th century heart of the site.
- The Victorian Garden: a mix of formal and informal planting.
- Camellias and magnolias: the garden's best known collections, alongside rhododendrons and hydrangeas.
- Lily ponds and rope bridge: ornamental ponds and a 36 metre rope bridge over the largest.
- The viewpoint: looking out over Chesil Beach towards Portland and Lyme Regis.
Planning your visit
The gardens are at Abbotsbury on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, a short drive from Weymouth. Tickets can be booked online or bought on the day, and the café and plant centre can be used without a garden ticket. Paths are gravel and steep in places; there is a wheelchair route but no wheelchairs for hire. Combined tickets with Abbotsbury Swannery are available from March to October. Evening light events run in late October and winter.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens?
Adult entry is £15 and children aged 5 to 15 pay £7.50, with under 5s free. A passport ticket covering the gardens and the Swannery is £20 for adults, but is not sold from November to February.
Are dogs allowed at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens?
Yes, dogs are welcome on short, non extendable leads. They are not allowed at the nearby Abbotsbury Swannery.
Is Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens wheelchair accessible?
There is a wheelchair and mobility vehicle route, but paths are gravel and some areas are steep. Wheelchairs are not available to hire, so an all terrain chair is advised. One carer goes free.