Forde Abbey House and Gardens
Chard, Somerset and Bristol
View on Google MapsPhoto: Diana Stephenson
About Forde Abbey House and Gardens
Discover centuries of history at this magnificent Somerset estate, where families can wander through beautifully landscaped grounds, enjoy engaging activity packs, and refuel at the onsite restaurant.
What's nearby
- Forde Abbey Nursery next door
- Forde Abbey next door
- The Abbot’s Table café next door
Distances as the crow flies, via Google
Good to know
Parking
- ✓Free car park
- ✓Paid car park
- ✓Free street
Accessibility
- ✓Accessible parking
- ✓Accessible entrance
Payment
- ✓Contactless
Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs.
Photos
Photos via Google
Opening hours
- Monday
- 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday
- 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday
- 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday
- 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday
- 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.
What visitors say
I hadn't been for a while but the improvements made, especially in the café area, are fantastic. The gardens are absolutely stunning and the Centenary Fountain, which is reputed to be the highest powered fountain in England, is spectacular! A section of the Abbey, including the cloister, is open to view and it's certainly worth a look. It's a wonderful place to visit.
· via Google
Lovely day out, very friendly staff on entering. Enjoyable gardens but the highlight was the fountain which everyone stood around waiting for it to commence. There was a glass house full of Nectarine trees, it smelled divine! I've never seen this before and the fruit were big. I loved the attractive umbrellas in the cafe garden. I just wish it was a little less expensive to visit.
· via Google
Absolutely stunning!! Beautiful grounds and gardens. Very good selection of plants to buy from the nursery, and enjoyed waking around the walled vegetable garden, peeking into what was growing in the glasshouses. Sadly the Abbey was closed on the day we visited, but even just viewing it from the outside was delightful. Don't miss the fountain display, it's worth seeing. If you love history, landscaped grounds and gardens you'll love it here. And there's a lovely cafe too!
· via Google
Forde Abbey was once a Cistercian monastery and is now a private house open to visitors. The River Axe, flows alongside the estate and is the boundary between Somerset and Dorset, with Forde Abbey situated on the Dorset side. This review focuses on the gardens, although the abbey provides an attractive backdrop for some of the photographs included with this review. The gardens are extensive, covering many acres, they are immaculately maintained. There is a lot of variety, the kitchen garden is full of colour in late summer with a superb displays of dahlias. There are several lakes, one close to the Abbey has a fine fountain. The landscaped gardens include a large bog garden with hostas, irises and ferns; there is parkland, rockeries and an arboretum. Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens. The abbey and gardens are open in spring, summer and autumn. It is an RHS partner garden and well worth a visit. There is also an excellent café/restaurant, gift shop and plant nursery.
· via Google
Visitors say this historic house and gardens features beautifully maintained grounds, including extensive gardens, impressive architecture, and a spectacular fountain. They also highlight the excellent cafe with delicious food and a wide variety of plants for sale. Guests mention the staff are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, contributing to a peaceful and enjoyable experience.
Summary via Google
At a glance
- Address
- Forde Abbey, Estate, Chard, TA20 4LU Get directions
- Category
- Historic Houses & Gardens
- Guest rating
- 4.7 / 5 (1,649 reviews)
- Suitable for
- Ages 4+
- Setting
- Indoor & outdoor
- Good for children
- Yes
- Destination
- Chard