# Forde Abbey House and Gardens, Chard — Opening Hours, Reviews & Visitor Info > 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. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/chard/attractions/forde-abbey-house-and-gardens (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. Historical Landmark # Forde Abbey House and Gardens Chard, Somerset and Bristol [View on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=12045733166912493469&g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Photo: [Diana Stephenson](https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/117595404788676788993) **In short:** Forde Abbey House and Gardens is a historical landmark in Chard, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 1,649 Google reviews. Details checked 1 September 2026 · source: Google Places ## 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 [Chris Kinnersley](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/112269592050810002239/reviews) ★★★★★ 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 [Shalom Bertie100](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/106875723156610509446/reviews) ★★★★★ 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 [Janette Clark](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/104554451721675560368/reviews) ★★★★★ 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 [Chris Bull](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/113421679350217480428/reviews) ★★★★★ 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 [See all reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m4!3m3!1s0x487270db1ac8d691:0xa72b0a7e88f5d79d!9m1!1b1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) 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](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=50.8427778%2C-2.9111111) **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 [More attractions in Chard](https://staycation.co.uk/chard/attractions) ★ 4.7 (1,649 reviews) [Visit official website](https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/?utm_source=staycation.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=attraction) [01460 220231](tel:01460220231) (please mention staycation.co.uk when calling) ### Quick Facts **Destination** Chard **Postcode** TA20 4LU **Payment** Contactless **Plus Code** 9C2VR3VQ+4H [Directions ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//''/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x487270db1ac8d691:0xa72b0a7e88f5d79d!3e0?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [More photos on Google ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x487270db1ac8d691:0xa72b0a7e88f5d79d!10e5?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [Write a review ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x487270db1ac8d691:0xa72b0a7e88f5d79d!12e1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) ### 🏨 Places to stay near Chard Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com, with live prices. [Check availability →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DChard%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link [Hotels →](https://staycation.co.uk/chard/hotels) [Camping →](https://staycation.co.uk/chard/camping) ## Quick answers ### What are the opening hours of Forde Abbey House and Gardens? Forde Abbey House and Gardens is open Mon–Sun 10:30am–4pm (from its Google listing; hours can change on bank holidays, so check before you go). ### Is Forde Abbey House and Gardens any good? Forde Abbey House and Gardens is rated 4.7 out of 5 from 1,649 Google reviews. ### Is Forde Abbey House and Gardens good for children? Yes, Forde Abbey House and Gardens is listed as good for children. ### Is Forde Abbey House and Gardens indoors or outdoors? Forde Abbey House and Gardens has both indoor and outdoor areas. ### What ages is Forde Abbey House and Gardens suitable for? Forde Abbey House and Gardens is best for ages 4+. ### Is Forde Abbey House and Gardens wheelchair accessible? Forde Abbey House and Gardens has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. ### Is there parking at Forde Abbey House and Gardens? Yes: free car park, paid car park and free street parking. ### How do I contact Forde Abbey House and Gardens? Call Forde Abbey House and Gardens on +44 1460 221290. ## Stay near Forde Abbey House and Gardens [Holiday cottages nearby 572](https://staycation.co.uk/near/forde-abbey-house-and-gardens/cottages) [Campsites nearby 68](https://staycation.co.uk/near/forde-abbey-house-and-gardens/camping) ## More near Forde Abbey House and Gardens ### Hotels & B&Bs nearby - [The Golden Fleece ★ 4.6 · 1.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/chard/hotels/the-golden-fleece) - [Warner Cricket St Thomas Hotel ★ 4.2 · 2.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/chard/hotels/warner-cricket-st-thomas-hotel) - [The Lordleaze Hotel 2.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/chard/hotels/the-lordleaze-hotel) - [The Tytherleigh Arms ★ 4.8 · 2.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/axminster/hotels/the-tytherleigh-arms) ### Holiday cottages nearby - [Two Bridge Cottage 0.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/two-bridge-cottage-exj) - [Ammerham Farm Cottage 0.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/ammerham-farm-cottage-syk1197672) - [Briar Orchard Annex 0.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/briar-orchard-annex-syk1170108) - [The Bee Hive 1.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/the-bee-hive-uk12039) ### Campsites nearby - [Driftaway Camping Woodlands ★ 5.0 · 1.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/chard/camping/driftaway-camping-woodlands) - [Alpine Grove Touring Park ★ 4.8 · 1.6 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/chard/camping/alpine-grove-touring-park) - [Lower Keats Glamping ★ 4.9 · 2.6 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/devon/camping/lower-keats-glamping) - [Oathill Farm Holiday and Touring Park ★ 4.8 · 2.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/crewkerne/camping/oathill-farm-holiday-and-touring-park) ### Things to do nearby - [Chard Museum ★ 4.6 · 3.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/chard/attractions/chard-museum) - [Crewkerne and District Museum 3.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/crewkerne/attractions/crewkerne-and-district-museum) - [Foxdown Childrens Farm ★ 4.9 · 3.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/bridport/attractions/foxdown-childrens-farm) - [Ferne Animal Sanctuary ★ 4.4 · 5.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/chard/attractions/ferne-animal-sanctuary)