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Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 4pm Sunday 9am - 4pm

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

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Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

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One of Britain's best-known & best-loved gardens. A botanical treasure-trove, on the Jurassic coast. Many new exotic and unusual flowers have been introduced.
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Established in 1765 by Elizabeth, the first Countess of Ilchester, as a kitchen garden for her nearby castle. Developed since then into a magnificent 20 acre garden filled with rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Many of these plants were first introductions to this country, discovered by the plant hunting descendants of the Countess. For example, the false olive (Piccona excelsa), an endangered species from the Canary Isles, was brought to Abbotsbury by William Fox-Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester, a diplomat on foreign service. By 1899 there were more than 5,000 different plants growing in the garden. The Garden Today

For the last twenty years the curator of Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens has been Stephen Griffith. He has masterminded the garden's renaissance following a great storm in 1990. Many features have been restored, such as the Gardener's Bothy, originally built to give young garden staff somewhere to sleep overnight - when they weren't stoking up boilers to keep glasshouses warm during periods of cold and frosty weather. Many old favourites have been cherished; remember that false olive? It's the only one of forest size in the British Isles. The Garden is a mixture of formal and informal flowers, world famous for its Camellia groves and magnolias. Noted in Dorset for its Rhododendron and Hydrangea collections and the charming Victorian Garden. Facilities include the Colonial Restaurant, a quality gift shop and a superb plant centre where many of the flowers grown in the Garden can be purchased. Entrance is free to the Restaurant, shop and plant centre. Regular events take place at the Garden including in October. Halloween is a major feature. Thousands of visitors dress in Halloween costumes and the Restaurant becomes a centre for Halloween celebrations. Don't miss stunning views of the Dorset Jurassic Coast from the viewpoint at the top of Magnolia Avenue.

09/11/2026

🎄✨ Christmas is coming to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens! ✨🎅

There’s lots of festive magic to look forward to this Christmas, with a wonderful line-up of events for all ages!

✨ Illuminate Winter Lights presented by O T Event Technicians LTD – Our spectacular winter light trail begins Friday 20th November, running on selected weekends, followed by a festive run of dates up to 23rd December and again over Twixmas. Expect magical lights, colourful displays and plenty of winter warmth!

🎅 Santa’s Grotto – Our wonderful traditional Father Christmas is returning, with a brand-new secret location in the Gardens! Dates begin in December and advance booking is essential to secure your visit.

☕ Festive Fun in the Café– We're also hosting a series of special Christmas events in the Gardens Café, with Father Christmas bringing a little festive fun for the grown-ups too! The perfect excuse for a pre-Christmas get-together before the school holidays begin.

Whether you're visiting for the lights, a magical meeting with Santa or a little festive fun with friends, there's something to get everyone in the Christmas spirit!

🎄 Find all the dates, times and ticket information on our website.

www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk/events

We can't wait to celebrate Christmas with you! ❤️

07/11/2026

✨🎄 ILLUMINATE – WINTER LIGHTS AT ABBOTSBURY SUBTROPICAL GARDENS🎄✨

Get ready to brighten up those winter evenings with O T Event Technicians LTD Winter Lights at Abbotsbury! 🌟

Illuminate returns from Friday 20th November, with a colourful, magical light trail to explore on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, followed by extra dates running up to Christmas and through Twixmas.

✨ Our longest route ever!✨

Discover a dazzling trail of colour, light and winter magic as you wander through the beautiful Subtropical Gardens after dark.

Feeling a little chilly? Pop into the Café for some delicious winter warmers, hot drinks and seasonal treats. ☕🍰

🎟️ Tickets available online and at the gate.
🚗 Free car parking.

Wrap up warm, bring the family and join us for a magical winter evening at Abbotsbury! ❤️

www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk/events

04/11/2026

🍂 AUTUMN LIGHT AT THE SUBTROPICAL GARDENS🍂

Enjoy the beauty of the Gardens as autumn brings its own special colours, light and atmosphere. 🍁✨

Throughout November, enjoy half-price entry, making it the perfect time for an autumn wander.

After exploring, pop into our Café for a warming winter drink and a delicious lunch. ☕🥪

🐾 Dogs are very welcome in the Gardens, provided they are kept on short, non-extendable leads. The Gift Shop and Plant Centre have a temporary home in and around the wedding marquee.

Please note that during the winter months, access to the Jurassic Viewpoint may not always be possible, as wet weather can make the ground slippery.

02/11/2026

ONLINE TICKETS SOLD OUT
BONFIRE & FIREWORKS AT MELBURY HOUSE! 🔥🎆

Get ready for a sparkling night of family fun! ✨

Join us at the beautiful grounds of Melbury House for a spectacular evening of bonfire magic, dazzling fireworks and plenty of festive atmosphere under the stars. 🌟

🎇 Friday 6th November
📍 Melbury House, DT2 0LW

🕕 Gates open at 6pm
🎆 Fireworks display at 7pm
🌭 BBQ & refreshments available
🎆 Adult £10 Child £5 Family £20

Bring your family, wrap up warm and get ready for a night full of bangs, sparkle and brilliant memories! ❤️

We look forward to seeing you there!

29/10/2026

✨ Shining bright at the Oak Pavilion! ✨

Illuminate is lighting up the Subtropical Gardens with a spectacular splash of colour, light and imagination! 🪩✨

From the dazzling Oak Pavilion to our colourful pathways, playful patterns and the wonderful new West Lawn display, there’s so much to discover as the gardens transform after dark.

🍂 Enjoy a magical autumn evening stroll, capture some photo-perfect moments and finish with a warming hot drink or tasty treat from our café.

✨ Three more nights to enjoy Illuminate, including TONIGHT!

📅 Tonight (Thursday), Friday & Saturday
🕠 Open from 5.30pm, with last entry at 7.15pm
☕ Café open for hot drinks and treats
🚗 Free car parking
🎟️ Tickets available on the gate

Bring the family, wrap up warm and come and see the gardens shine! ✨🌿

28/10/2026

✨ Bright, colourful and completely transforming the Subtropical Gardens into an immersive experience! 🌈 Presented by O T Event Technicians LTD

From colourful paths and mesmerising patterns to our glitter ball and the NEW West Lawn display for 2026, there’s magic around every corner. 💫

✨ OPEN TONIGHT from 5.30pm
🎟️ Last entry at 7.15pm
☕ Café open for hot drinks and treats
🚗 Free car parking
🎫 Tickets available on the gate
Or online www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk/events

Come and experience the magic of Illuminate! ✨

27/10/2026

🍂 Autumn at the Gardens 🌿☀️

The sun is shining here in West Dorset, and our Subtropical Gardens are back open and looking beautiful! There are still plenty of pops of colour to discover, with autumn bringing its own special magic to the gardens.

🍂 And it’s half term, which means half-price entry at both the Gardens and the Swannery! 🦢

🎟️ Our Passport Ticket is just £10 for an adult and £5 for a child, giving you entry to both attractions this week. Perfect for a family adventure in the fresh Dorset air!

🌿 Two wonderful places to explore, autumn colours to enjoy and plenty of memories to make.

📍 Free parking
🍂 Half-price entry all half term excludes Illuminate
🎟️ Passport tickets exclude Illuminate

Come and make the most of autumn in Abbotsbury! 🍁

26/10/2026

✨ Looking ahead, the weather is looking perfect for an Illuminate glow-up! ✨🍂

Join us Tuesday to Saturday, from 5.30pm (last entry 7.15pm), for a magical autumn evening at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

Enjoy a colourful autumn stroll through glowing pathways, beautiful light displays and a wonderful new feature on the West Lawn. With shapes, textures and dazzling details around every corner, there are photo-perfect moments waiting to be captured. 📸✨

And after your stroll, pop into the café for a warming hot drink and something yummy! ☕🍰

🍂 A little autumn magic
✨ Glowing paths and beautiful displays
☕ Hot drinks and treats
🚗 Free car parking

Wrap up, wander and watch the gardens glow! 💫

25/10/2026

✨ ILLUMINATE IS OPEN THIS EVENING! ✨

After a slight hiccup with the storm, we’re delighted to confirm that the gardens are open for Illuminate this evening! 🍂💡

🕔 Open from 5pm, with last entry at 7.15pm

🎟️ Tickets available on the gate
☕ Café open for hot drinks and treats
🎁 Gift shop open too!

Come and enjoy an autumn evening filled with light, colour and a little magic. Wrap up warm and make the most of the autumn glow! ✨🍁

We look forward to welcoming you! 💛

19/10/2026

Starts Saturday!!! Tickets on the gate and online.

Address

Bullers Way
Abbotsbury
DT34LA

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm
Sunday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441305871387

Website

https://abbotsburygardens.co.uk/

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