Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands
"The finest manor house in England."
Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Facilities for children
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Free parking
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
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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.
Opening Season
Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands is open from Sunday 1st March to Saturday 31st October 2026. The estate is closed on Fridays and Saturdays, except for special events. Please check the website and social media before visiting, as the House, Gardens and Coach House may occasionally close for special events.
Regular Opening Hours
Peak Season (5th April to 1st October)
- Monday to Thursday: 10am – 5pm
- Sundays: 11am – 4pm
- Last entry to the gardens is one hour before closing
Shoulder Season (1st March to 4th April and 4th to 29th October)
- Sunday to Thursday: 11am – 3pm
- Last entry one hour before closing
Late October
The House closes for the season on Thursday 22nd October.
Guided House Tours
April to September
- Tours run at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm
- Each tour lasts 50 minutes
- Available during general estate opening hours (Monday–Thursday and Sundays)
March and October
- Tours run at 12pm and 1pm
- Each tour lasts 50 minutes
American Heiress Exhibition
The exhibition is available during house tour opening times:
- March and October: 12pm and 1pm
- April to September: 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm
Gardens & Wildlands
The Gardens and Wildlands follow the same opening hours as the main estate. Last entry is one hour before closing time.
Kitchen Garden
New for the 2026 season, the Kitchen Garden is open on Tuesdays only during the general opening season.
Family Activities
Wild Play Areas are available during general estate opening hours (Sunday 1st March – 31st October 2026, Sunday–Thursday).
Countryside Walks & Self-Guided Safaris are available all year round. Annual Members enjoy free parking and access to estate walks throughout the year.
Special Events
Mapperton hosts various live events throughout the open season, including Heritage Open Day in September. Annual Members can enjoy seasonal activities including Snowdrop Sundays, Daffodil Week, Easter Trail, Super Summer, and Halloween Trail.
Membership & Visitor Benefits
RHS Members receive free garden entry on Tuesdays only during the open season (1st March – 31st October 2026).
Historic Houses Members receive free garden and house tour entry during general estate opening hours (Sunday 1st March – 31st October 2026, Sunday–Thursday).
Annual Members enjoy free parking all year round, plus access to estate walks and special seasonal events.
Virtual Access
A virtual tour of Mapperton House & Gardens is available at any time.
Accessibility
Accessible parking is available during general estate opening hours (Sunday 1st March – 31st October 2026, Sunday–Thursday). Annual Members receive free parking all year round.
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
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