Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Nature Reserves, Country Parks & Beaches · Abbotsbury, Dorset
No reviews yet
Closed — opens tomorrow at 10am
🌳 Outdoor0–11–33–55–88–1212–16Gardens🌲 WoodlandAdventure playEducational
What’s there
- Café on site
- Parking
- Dogs welcome
Designated accessible parking in the first row of the main car park, about 50 metres from the entrance (venue disabled access page).
Only facilities we’ve confirmed are listed — anything missing here we simply haven’t checked, rather than know to be absent.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is a large planted garden in a sheltered valley on the Dorset Jurassic Coast, close to Chesil Beach. Its mix of palm trees, tree ferns, giant gunnera and camellias gives the place a surprisingly tropical feel for a day out. Families can wander the gravel paths past ponds, a historic walled garden and sculptures, and climb up to a viewpoint that looks out over the coastline. A rope bridge spans the largest pond and adds an active element for older children. The gardens host seasonal events, including a winter illuminated trail and a daytime Father Christmas visit in December, and the site has a café and plant centre. Dogs are welcome on short leads. Younger children tend to enjoy the water features and the open space, while the steeper paths suit families with sturdy walkers. Allow a relaxed few hours to see the whole site.
Free RHS member access October to February only. Winter illuminated trail and Santa events in late November and December.
Questions parents ask
- How long should we allow for a visit?
- Most families allow around three hours to explore the 30 acres of gardens at a comfortable pace. This gives time to see the main features, including the viewpoint, woodland areas, and the new rope bridge across the pond.
- Is there a café, and can we bring a picnic?
- There is a café on site serving refreshments. We haven't confirmed whether picnicking is permitted in the gardens, so it's worth checking with the venue directly before bringing a packed lunch.
- Can we manage with a buggy, and is it suitable for toddlers?
- The gardens cover 30 acres with woodland and hill terrain, including a walk up to the viewpoint. We haven't confirmed how buggy-friendly the paths are, so contact the gardens beforehand if you're planning to push a buggy round.
- Is there parking, and how far is it to walk from the car?
- Free car parking is available at the gardens. The walk from the car park to the main attractions has not been confirmed, though there is a hill to climb to reach the viewpoint.
- Will a rainy day ruin the visit, or is there shelter?
- The gardens are outdoors with woodland paths, so heavy rain will limit what you can comfortably do. The café provides some shelter, but bad weather significantly affects the experience.
Stuff to take with you
The things people wish they’d packed for a day out like this one.
Wellies- Puddle suitThe only way a toddler stays dry at a farm in February.
Refillable water bottleMost places will fill it for free.
Snacks that survive a rucksackCheaper than the café, and buys you twenty minutes.
Snack catcher cup
Bucket and spade
Food pouches
Insulated food flaskHot pasta at the picnic bench.
WhistleThree blasts means come and find me.- Bug pot
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Photos: Anna Tesar, CC BY 2.0 · David, CC BY 2.0 · Schekinov Alexey Victorovich, CC BY-SA 4.0
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