Forde Abbey House and Gardens - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Iconic Buildings

Botanical Gardens

About Forde Abbey House and Gardens

Forde Abbey is a stunning example of history preserved but not petrified, where the Kennard family continues to live and work in an informal style and where visitors will always receive a warm welcome. It has a long and varied history and was mostly neglected in the 19th century. The current family owners have lived in the house since 1905. The gardens are Grade II* listed and they cover 30 acres. There are several water features, planted gardens and an arboretum.

Hotels near Forde Abbey House and Gardens

Hotels to stay near Forde Abbey House and Gardens

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Attractions Near Forde Abbey House and Gardens

Forde Abbey

Forde Abbey

0.62km from Forde Abbey House and Gardens

Forde Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery dating back to the early 12th century. Throughout the 20th century, the 30 acres of gardens that surround this unique house have been transformed by the present owners. The house and gardens are run as a tourist attraction while the 1,600-acre estate is farmed to provide additional revenue. Forde Abbey is a Grade I listed building.

Chard Museum

Chard Museum

5.26km from Forde Abbey House and Gardens

Chard Museum and Heritage Centre is a museum located in the village of Chard near the border with Devon. Exhibits include the history of Chard, historical agricultural equipment, a display on cider making, a 1960's exhibit, a blacksmith's forge display and an exhibit on John Stringfellow, who worked in Chard and was a pioneer of powered flying machines.

Hornsbury Mill

Hornsbury Mill

6.2km from Forde Abbey House and Gardens

A beautiful 19th- century watermill set in 5 acres of peaceful, landscaped water gardens, deep in the heart of Somerset. This watermill combines beautiful original features and traditional character with modern comforts. Today it has been beautifully converted into a 4-star hotel, with the historic mill’s stunning original features carefully preserved and sensitively integrated. All of the hotel’s cosy en suite rooms are individually designed and decorated in a traditional country style.

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

12.17km from Forde Abbey House and Gardens

Set up to encourage safe and sustainable collecting of Jurassic fossils from local beaches, the centre offers hands-on displays, interactive computers and information about fossils and fossil hunting. Throughout the year the centre runs guided fossil hunting walks as well as countryside and marine discovery activities along the coastline. Beyond the centre, there is a lovely beach – perfect for swimming, and several beautiful walks. A great day out for all the family.

Charmouth Beach

Charmouth Beach

12.2km from Forde Abbey House and Gardens

Charmouth is a delightful unspoiled seaside village set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a fantastic beach world-renowned for its fossils. The large shingle beach and the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre on the seafront are a must-visit for those interested in fossils and local natural history. It is great for the family – lots of sand especially at low tide, safe swimming, picnic areas, cafes, and beach shops.

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum

13.05km from Forde Abbey House and Gardens

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is a private museum which is owned and run by Palaeontologist Steve Davies and his wife Jenny. The museum contains a spectacular collection of the local Jurassic marine fossils. The ground floor of the museum houses a spectacular collection of 200-million-year-old Jurassic fossils which have been discovered along the local coastline. Exhibits range from the enormous Ichthyosaur to the tiniest fish and ammonites.

Discover More Attractions in Dorset, Home of Forde Abbey House and Gardens

Dorset

Dorset

90 attractions

Dorset is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. Here you can the beautiful beaches to famous landmarks like Durdle Door and Portland Bill, and activities including kayaking, wine tasting, and more

Location of Forde Abbey House and Gardens

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For more information about Forde Abbey House and Gardens, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forde_Abbey

To view all hotels near Forde Abbey House and Gardens, visit: Hotels near Forde Abbey House and Gardens