
Mapperton House and Gardens
"The finest manor house in England."
Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR

Facilities
- Accessible loos
- Accessible parking
- Cafe / restaurant
- Facilities for children
- Free parking
- Mostly wheelchair accessible
- 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.
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
Gardens Open March – September, Sunday – Thursday 10am – 5pm
Cafe Open March – September Sunday – Friday 10am – 4pm
House Open for tours April – September Sunday – Thursday 12pm – 3pm
Historic Houses members get into gardens for free. House tours must be booked in advance for a £5 supplement.
We welcome group visits both for just gardens, house and gardens or for private tours of the rewilding estate.
Group rates are available for pre-booked groups of ten people and over
Check the website for further information on group visits.
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
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
Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4LA
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £65 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.
