National Garden Scheme Dorset

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The Dorset National Garden Scheme opens gardens to raise money for nursing and healthcare related charities, giving visitors unique access to exceptional private gardens whilst raising much needed funds for charity. Thanks to the generosity of our garden owners, volunteers and visitors we have donated over £60 million to nursing and health related charities
Our core beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and the Queen’s Nursing Institute

01/10/2026

The 2nd of the lecture series held at the Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne on behalf of the National Garden Scheme is scheduled for Friday 16th October 6 till 830pm.
Subject: Thomas Hardy’s Gardens in Dorset
Speaker: Caps Browning, Senior Gardener at Max Gate, Dorchester & Hardy’s Cottage, Higher Bockhampton
Both of these gardens are now in the custodianship of the National Trust. Caps gardens them, with the help of volunteers, to aim to keep these gardens as close to how they would have been in Hardy’s day. Her knowledge is extensive & this will be an entertaining & informative talk about the garden environment of one of the country’s best loved authors & poets.
Pre booking is essential so please see our website for tickets
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/34654/museum-of-east-dorset

14/09/2026

This week we hosted our generous Garden Owners & sponsors at the Tithe Barn in Hinton St Mary, for our annual “thank you tea party”. The weather was kind & the cakes were plentiful. We were also delighted to be joined by our new CEO Dr Richard Claxton who gave out the long service awards. A lovely afternoon was had by all. Many thanks to Val & Anthony Pitt- Rivers for allowing us to use this wonderful venue.

02/09/2026

This year we have 3 evening garden lectures taking place at the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne, the first of which is on
Friday 11th September featuring Knoll Gardens.

Speaker: Neil Lucas, Director and owner of Knoll Gardens

Since 1994 internationally acclaimed gardener Neil Lucas and his team have created a wonderful naturalistic garden, a haven for both
people and wildlife. Seamlessly blending graceful grasses, adding drama with striking
perennials and structure with mature trees and shrubs, the gardens offer a wealth of
interest and diverse habitat throughout the seasons. Neil Lucas is a leading expert on
ornamental grasses and was previously a Council Member for the RHS.

For full details please see the website (pre booking essential)

https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/34654/museum-of-east-dorset

17/08/2026

Staddlestones in Witchampton opens this Sunday (23rd) on behalf of the National Garden Scheme. A beautiful cottage garden with colour themed borders. A bridge leads you over the sparkling chalk stream to a shady area with unusual plants. Plenty of seating areas to enjoy the wildlife and a cup of tea..
For full details of this and other openings please see our website:
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/ See less

10/08/2026

Garden openings by Arrangement

The National Garden Scheme opens over 3,300 private gardens to the public each year. Most visitors are familiar with the gardens that open their gates to everyone on set days, but in 2026, 590 of them also open By Arrangement.

These wonderful, often hidden gems are really worth exploring especially if you are keen to return to a garden you love, perhaps missed a public open day or simply want to explore somewhere completely unchartered. By Arrangement gardens cater for different group sizes from as few as one to 20+, it all depends on the size and accessibility of the garden, some have fixed prices for entry others are agreed in discussion with the garden owner.

What is a By Arrangement garden?

A garden open By Arrangement accepts visitors to their garden for a more personalised visit, on a pre-agreed date. Usually, the garden will advertise a range of dates available that they are willing to open so that visitors can decide on the most suitable option for them. This can often be a wide date range, for example March-October, so there are plenty of opportunities to find a date to suit you and your group or family and friends.

What are the benefits of booking a visit in advance?

Booking a By Arrangement garden gives you direct contact with the garden owner, allowing you to liaise on everything from convenient times and dates, to what you’ll see and do once you’re there.

Why choose By Arrangement?

Did you miss an open day or perhaps you would like to bring your family back for a special occasion? Contact any garden offering By Arrangement visits to discuss options.

Booking your By Arrangement visit

Our Dorset gardens opening are available to view here.

https://ngs.org.uk/dorset-by-arrangement/

This currently shows the gardens by arrangement in 2026 but as its updated to show the new 2027 season you can get planning for the year ahead

From the garden information page you will find the garden owner’s contact details. They are waiting to hear from you and will be delighted to help you create the perfect visit.

The garden owner will confirm all the details and whether they require a deposit/full payment ahead of the visit.

Pictured Bembury farm, Sherborne, open May to Sept by arrangement

06/08/2026

We are delighted that Charles Chesshire is kindly opening his garden and nursery in Symondsbury on behalf of the National Garden Scheme this Sunday, 9th August from 1 pm until 5pm. A half acre garden with its intricate web of gravel paths weaving between deep borders of unusual plants. Charles will be on hand for expert advice, and of course their will be tea and cake. Please see the website for full details of this and other gardens opening this week:
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/

03/08/2026

This Thursday 6th August sees the opening of the beautiful gardens of the Old Rectory at Pulham. Surrounding the 18th century Rectory are 4 acres of formal and informal gardens shaped by topiary allees and hedges with exuberantly planted herbaceous borders. Extend your visit into the 10 acres of woodland walks and glorious churchyard. For full details of this and other gardens open this week please see the website:
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/

20/07/2026

Glenholme Herbs, a family run nursery near Sherborne opens its gates this weekend (Sat and Sun) on behalf of the National Garden Scheme.
Featuring a wide selection of herbs and salvias along with grasses, verbena and echinacea where paths meander through large, colourful beds inspired by Piet Oudolf. Planted with wildlife in mind and alive with pollinators. The garden also features a beautiful natural swimming pond.
At 11am on Saturday and Sunday Kim will be doing a guided walk around the garden highlighting the medicinal herbs used in the borders and their uses. Her talks last year were a real hit with visitors so not to be missed!
For full details of this opening and other gardens opening this week please see the website:
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/

14/07/2026

Plenty of opportunity to visit this delightful garden in Stour Provost as it opens every Sunday from 19th July until 16th August.
Hilltop, an old thatched cottage is barely visible this time of year through the riot of colour and scent. Enjoy tea and cake under the shade of the majestic oak and take in the distant rural views.
Full details of this and other gardens open this weekend can be found on the website
https://ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden

10/07/2026

Hogchester Farm Opening Sunday 12th - Cancelled

Regretfully, due to the forecasted heat at the weekend, the scheduled opening of Hogchester Farm has been cancelled. This decision has been taken in the interest of the safety of both the owners and the visitors and to minimise the risk of fire in the meadows. Thankyou for your understanding.

Address

Guildford
GU47RT

Telephone

+441483211535

Website

http://www.ngs.org.uk/

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