Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
A subtropical botanical treasure trove of rare and exotic plants on the Dorset Jurassic coast.
Buller's Way, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4LA
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Free parking
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Garden only
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Pet friendly
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Shop
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads throughout the Garden, as well as outside and inside the coffee shop.
Toilets
Disabled and baby change facilities available at the coffee shop.
Wheelchairs and scooters are not available for hire. If you are a wheelchair user, we recommend you bring an all-terrain, wide-based wheelchair for access around the wheelchair and mobility vehicle route. The paths at the Gardens are gravel and some areas are very steep due to the natural topography. There is a wheelchair and mobility vehicle route, which follows an abbreviated route over gravel paths, some rough terrain and sloping paths. Disabled parking is available in the first row of the main car park 50 metres from the Gardens entrance. Toilets are located for visitors with disabilities to the rear of the coffee shop at the entrance.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens are world renowned, with over 30 acres and with a plant collection of over 6,000 species from across the world. The 1st Countess of Ilchester, Elizabeth Fox-Strangeways, established the Garden in 1765 as a kitchen garden for her nearby Castle. It has developed and regenerated since then to house a botanical treasure trove of rare and exotic plants. This magical garden with its eighteenth-century walled garden, ornate lilyponds and viewpoint over the Jurassic coast World Heritage site, is joy and surprise to visit. With towering drifts of Himalayan rhododendrons, spectacular Magnolias, colourful Camellias and exotic Chusan palm trees, this special atmosphere can only by matched by a visit to faraway tropical shores.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens Opening Times and Events
The Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens are open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the last entry at 3:00 pm. The Gardens are closed from 24th December to 3rd January. Special winter ticket offers are available from 1st December to 28th February 2026, with half-price entry for adults, disabled adults, and carers, and free entry for children under 15 years old. This offer includes a free hot drink and is valid for daytime entry only, excluding the Illuminate event.
Special Events
- Food Fair: Held on Good Friday, 3rd April, and Saturday, 4th April 2026, featuring Dorset food and drink producers. Includes access to the Gardens.
- Plant Fair: Scheduled for 7th June 2026, with over 30 specialist nurseries and plant experts. The fair runs from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, while the Gardens remain open until 5:00 pm.
Admission Prices
- Special Winter Ticket: Adults £6.95, children under 15 free.
- Standard Entry: Adults £10.95, children (5-15 years) £5.00, under 5s free.
- Season Tickets: Adults £45.00, children £21.00, Super Saver £100.00.
- Group Rates: Adults £10.95, children £5.00, with discounts for combined attractions.
Additional Information
- Dogs are welcome on non-extendable leads.
- Disabled visitors receive half-price entry, and one carer is admitted free.
- Historic Houses members and RHS members (October to February) receive free entry.
- Gardener’s World 2-for-1 cards are accepted, excluding special events.
Café
The Café at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. It offers a variety of food and drinks, including options for dietary restrictions. No Gardens entry ticket is required to visit the Café.
For more details, visitors are encouraged to plan their visit and explore the Gardens' unique features, including the new rope bridge and stunning viewpoints.
Historic Houses members visit for free. Membership cards should be shown on arrival.
Adults: £13.95
Children: £7.50
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens welcomes group bookings. There is a discounted admission price for pre-booked groups of 10 or more, the group booking adult rate is £8.95 and £5.00 per child.
In addition a Passport Ticket is available for group bookings as well. A passport ticket provides entry to both the Gardens and the Abbotsbury Swannery our sister attraction. The passport group booking entry is £14.50 adult and child £7.50. Group bookings must be made in advance. Please be aware these are not guided tours, a tour would need to be arranged with the Abbotsbury Tourism Office [email protected]
School groups from both primary and secondary schools are welcome. Groups of 10 are more children have a rate of £5 per child and one free teacher per 10 children. These must be pre-arranged in advance and are not guided unless arranged with the Abbotsbury Tourism Office [email protected]
01305 871130
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads throughout the Garden, as well as outside and inside the coffee shop.
Toilets
Disabled and baby change facilities available at the coffee shop.
Wheelchairs and scooters are not available for hire. If you are a wheelchair user, we recommend you bring an all-terrain, wide-based wheelchair for access around the wheelchair and mobility vehicle route. The paths at the Gardens are gravel and some areas are very steep due to the natural topography. There is a wheelchair and mobility vehicle route, which follows an abbreviated route over gravel paths, some rough terrain and sloping paths. Disabled parking is available in the first row of the main car park 50 metres from the Gardens entrance. Toilets are located for visitors with disabilities to the rear of the coffee shop at the entrance.
Getting here
Buller's Way, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4LA
Located on the stunning Jurassic coast road, between Weymouth and Bridport on the B3157 in Dorset.
Parking
Ample FREE parking for cars and coaches, usual courtesies extended to coach drivers.
Disabled parking is available in the first row of the main car park 50 metres from the Gardens entrance.
Public transport
It is possible to take the train to Weymouth Station and travel from there by taxi. The regular X53 bus service runs through Abbotsbury.
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Thirty acres of joy
Established in 1765 by the 1st Countess of Ilchester, it has evolved since then into a thirty-acre plantsman’s garden. Some of the exotic plants on show were first introductions to this country.
The garden is well known for its events including a Food Fair and Plant Fair, and the magical winter lights ‘illuminate’ over the festive season.
More than your average gardens
The wedding marquee overlooks West Lawn and is a superb setting for brides and their guests to celebrate.
A stroll around this unique garden can be rounded off with a visit to the stunning Café, Gift Shop and Plant Centre. The Plant Centre offers a wonderful selection of home-grown plants unique to the gardens alongside popular seasonal plants.
Travel the World in Thirty Acres
Other houses members can visit nearby
Wolfeton House
Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9QN
Sherborne Castle & Gardens
Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5NR
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
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