Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Free RHS Member days
10am–4pm, daily, 1 January–28 February and 1–31 November
About the garden
Owned by Ilchester Estates, Abbotsbury is a subtropical paradise and a haven for rare and unusual plants from around the world. Established in 1765, the 30-acres, Grade I-listed gardens are nestled in a sheltered woodland valley, where babbling brooks, secluded ponds and a romantic 18th-century walled garden create the perfect backdrop for one of Britain’s most diverse outdoor plant collections.
The unique subtropical microclimate helps the garden stay mostly frost-free throughout winter. In spring, it bursts into colour, showcasing 100-year-old rhododendrons, champion magnolias and the UK’s oldest camellias. In summer, the garden becomes a lush, exotic paradise with towering tree ferns, cascades of hydrangeas and the iconic giant gunnera, whose individual leaves can grow over 4 meters across in a single season.
Facilities
- Dogs welcome
- Parking
- Plant sales
- Refreshments
- Toilets
Key features
- Arboretum
- Champion trees
- Mediterranean/Italian garden
- National Plant Collections
- Winter garden
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.