Holme for Gardens

About the garden

Owned by

Simon & Liz Goldsack

Set in the beautiful Isle of Purbeck, two miles west of Wareham and just south of the River Frome, this 15-acre garden is laid out on the site of an old fruit and dairy farm. The garden design is a mixture of formal and informal sections that cleverly link from one area to another. The formal gardens are influenced by Hidcote and The Laskett and by the writings of Katherine Swift. They combine carefully controlled vistas and focal points which criss-cross each other to great effect.

The layout of the informal areas is influenced by Alan Bloom’s Dell Garden with lots of island beds interspersed with meandering short mown grass paths. In some beds, a backbone of trees and shrubs controls the visitor’s view and in other places such as in the Holme Henge, groundcover planting is used to accentuate the upright stones.

The owners scour the country for specialist nurseries to find unusual plants to showcase in the gardens. The Pear Tunnel alone is planted with 30 different varieties and throughout the gardens, rare trees and shrubs are plentiful along with burgeoning collections of Magnolia, Sorbus, Malus and Prunus.

The borders are colour themed with luxuriant planting using shrubs, grasses, perennials, annuals and bulbs for interest throughout the season. Wildlife is abundant at Holme and its encouragement forms a key part of the management strategy.

While at Holme you can also enjoy perusing the wide range of plants in the garden centre. The Orchard Tea Room provides breakfasts, hot lunches, cream teas and an array of hot and cold drinks where you can relax both inside or outside by one of the ponds. There is also a well-stocked farm shop. Coach parties are welcome by prior appointment.  

Please note: this garden is partially accessible.