Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
"The finest manor house in England."
Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
Facilities
-
Accessible loos
-
Accessible parking
-
Cafe / restaurant
-
Facilities for children
-
Free parking
-
Parkland / open spaces
-
Pet friendly
-
Picnic area
-
Shop
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
Mapperton House is the home of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. The family moved here from Hinchingbrooke House, near Huntingdon, in the 1950s, bringing with it the family collection.
Mapperton was voted ‘The Nations Finest Manor House’ by Country Life and was principal location of 2015 film ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’.
It is a glorious Jacobean manor overlooking a 15 acre Italianate garden, with orangery, topiary and borders, descending ponds and arboretum. The house has outstanding views of Dorset hills and woodlands.
The house and gardens welcome visitors and Mapperton also hosts weddings.
Historic House members can join a house tour free of charge on the day subject to availability. However this cannot be booked in advance; please enquire upon arrival.
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.
Mapperton House and Gardens is a historic estate located in West Dorset, England. The estate offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors, including guided tours of the house, award-winning gardens, a café, and countryside walks. Below is a detailed summary of the opening times, events, and visitor information for Mapperton.
Opening Times
Mapperton is currently closed and will reopen on 1st March 2026. The opening schedule for 2026 is as follows:
- 1st March to 2nd April: Open Sunday to Thursday, 11am – 3pm.
- 5th April to 1st October: Open Monday to Thursday, 10am – 5pm, and Sundays, 11am – 4pm.
- 4th to 29th October: Open Sunday to Thursday, 11am – 3pm.
Mapperton is closed on Fridays and Saturdays, except for special events. Last entry to the gardens and Wildlands is one hour before closing.
Guided House Tours
Guided tours of Mapperton House are available at the following times:
- March and October: Tours at 12pm and 1pm.
- April to September: Tours at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm.
Tour spaces are limited, and pre-booking is recommended. Admission includes access to the American Heiress Exhibition.
Admission Prices (2026)
- House & Gardens: Adults £20, Children (5-15 years) £7, Family £45, Children under 5 free.
- Gardens only: Adults £15, Children (5-15 years) £5, Family £35, Children under 5 free.
- Gardens & Wildlands: Adults £20, Children (5-15 years) £7, Family £45, Children under 5 free.
- Wildlands only: Adults £15, Children (5-15 years) £5, Family £35, Children under 5 free.
Membership
Mapperton offers an annual membership with the following benefits:
- Unlimited entry to the Gardens, House, Wildlands, and play areas (March – October).
- Twelve free hot drinks per year.
- Free children’s garden trails.
- Priority booking for tours and events.
- Discounts at partner gardens.
Membership prices are £40 for a single adult, £70 for two adults, and £95 for a family (two adults and up to four children).
Special Events
Mapperton hosts various events throughout the year. Notable upcoming events include:
- Mapperton’s Charity of the Year (2025): Proceeds from events will support Weldmar Hospicecare.
- Mapperton into Bloom (February 2026): Held on 1st, 8th, and 15th February from 11am to 3pm.
Visitor Information
- Dogs: Dogs on short leads are welcome in the gardens for a £1 charge. Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access is available to parts of the gardens, the Coach House café, and the ground floor of the house. Accessible parking and lavatories are provided.
- Historic Houses and RHS Members: RHS members receive free garden entry on Tuesdays. Historic Houses members receive free entry to the gardens and house tours.
Mapperton is a family home and estate, and visitors are asked to respect the property and its rules during their visit.
House & Gardens tickets
Adults: £20 (includes guided tour)
Children 5-15 yrs: £7
Children under 5 yrs: free
Gardens only tickets
Adults: £15
Children 5-15 yrs: £5
Children under 5 yrs: free
House, Gardens & Wildlands tickets
Adults: £28 (includes guided house tour)
Children 5-15 yrs: £12
Family (2 adults, up to 4 children): £75
Children under 5 yrs: free
Wildlands only tickets (Self-Guided Safari)
Adults: £12.95
Family (2 adults, up to 4 children): £39.95
Children under 16: £6.95
Children under 5: free
Historic House members can join a house tour free of charge on the day subject to availability. However this cannot be booked in advance; please enquire upon arrival.
Mapperton welcomes many groups and coaches each year to visit our historic house and gardens, and to enjoy lunches and teas in the Coach House café. We can also offer virtual tours of our historic house by pre-booked appointment – perfect if you and your group are not able to travel to visit Mapperton in person at the moment.
Our knowledgeable and friendly house guides provide visitors with an informative and entertaining tour of the house and the Sandwich collection of pictures and furniture.
Special rates are available for groups of 10 people or more. House tours are generally an hour in duration and can be followed by a visit to the gardens.
Our group pricing for 2025 is as follows:
House (including guided tour and the Gilded Age American Heiress Exhibition) & Gardens
£18 per person
Gardens only
£13 per person
Guided tour of the gardens:
Additional £5 (must be pre-booked)
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
Getting here
Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
2 miles southeast of Beaminster, follow brown signs on B3163.
You can travel to Crewkerne train station, then take a taxi from Crewkerne to Mapperton.
Lord David Cecil, Some Dorset Country Houses, 1955
Throughout the house, the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries meet each other at every turn. Yet, – and this is notably characteristic of Mapperton – they do not quarrel. Diversity never means discord. Rather the different ages combine to create an unexpected and richer harmony.
Mapperton stars in new Netflix film
Mapperton House and Gardens has another starring role in a new film version of Daphne du Maurier’s classic Gothic novel “Rebecca” released on Netflix today (Wednesday 21 October).
Houses nearby
Minterne House & Gardens
Minterne Magna, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7AU
Forde Abbey
Chard, Somerset, TA20 4LU
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Buller's Way, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4LA
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £68 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
