Beautiful place, worth visiting, dog friendly, amazing view from Jurassic coast You have to be there in the morning, it's well worth having a whole day to walk around, listen to the chirping birds, crossing the Burma rope bridge and taking a small hike to Jurassic coast view point. We enjoyed it a lot. It was calm and relaxing day out

Delightful find. We visited in March, not ideal for summer style swaths of colour but nonetheless this place was really beautiful and still had plenty of colour. We abandoned the suggested white arrow route and meandered our way around but still covered every section. Awesome coastal viewpoint was an unexpected bonus. Cafe was running limited options on the day but still had a good cake selection and other snacks. Pleasant and friendly staff and free parking!

A beautiful garden full of winding paths and slopes. There are paths suitable for wheelchairs but if you have an electric one available this would be preferable. Loved the sculptures from childhood books. Would recommend taking a picnic as the cafe is very expensive.

We have spent a lovely morning looking around the gardens. There are some unusual and beautiful plants here and in such a large space, even when busy, you wouldn't know. There are accessible paths clearly marked suitable for wheelchairs and also lots more areas to investigate making it suitable to keep the younger explorers entertained. Lots of plants are named, but I would have liked to have been able to identify more. We did see a gardener who was happy to answer any questions though. I wouldn't think of myself as a visitor to gardens however I really enjoyed the 3 hours i spent looking around. Cafe looked busy and I bought a few plants from the garden centre, shame they didn't sell more or the plants you see in the gardens. I would visit again if in the area.

Beautiful gardens filled with lush tropical planting. Pools and waterways crossed by bridges including an impressive rope bridge. Dogs on leads welcome. Although hilly, the paths are negotiable with a wheeled walker as well as wheelchairs. The tea room is dog friendly inside and out but only open 12-2:30. Good food but ran out of pasties before 1:30. Some shaded seating outside. Extensive plant centre, and a nice gift shop too. Free parking across the road.

Wonderful Gardens dating back to 1771!! Started with specimens brought back from Captain Cook's circumnavigation of the World. Beautifully laid out over 40 acres with delightful walks, sculptures and fun hidden gems. The restaurant serves super wholesome food in lovely plantation style building. Highly recommended.

Spent a wonderful three and a half hours exploring these gardens! They are filled with exotic and unusual plants from all over the world. Gravel paths wind their way among giant tree ferns, colourful flowers, jungle glades, lily ponds and, when we visited, a profusion of hydrangeas. At the entrance we were each handed a map to help us find our way round, and there are also larger maps around the gardens, but I still got lost! There were little info boards describing the birds and other wildlife we might spot as we wandered around. There are well marked, flat and easy routes accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and lots of benches. Dogs are welcome on a lead. Not to be missed is the Burma Rope Bridge. It's one way only so there's no turning back, it sways a lot, and you need to be wearing sensible shoes to get across it, but it's an experience I would not have missed! Kids will love it. It was also worth the steep climb up a grassy hill to a spectacular viewpoint from where we looked out over Chesil Beach, World War II defences and Jurassic cliffs. The licensed café at the entrance serves soup, light snacks, cakes and drinks (card payment only). Had a lovely fresh scone with jam and clotted cream on the veranda. There are toilets, a nice gift shop and plants for sale. Parking is free. These are really beautiful gardens that I would recommend to people of all ages.

It's like walking through a shady tropical jungle. At the end you've got an amazing look out point to the sea. The only tricky bit is that toilets are available only at the entrance. I find it a bit challenging finding the exit. But overall, it's an amazing shady garden, a very unique experience. It takes about 1.5 hours to look around I'm the garden. Dogs are allowed on lead. The cafe at the entrance offers loads of snacks, cakes with gluten-free options.

Beautiful oasis if tropical plants with lovely views and little surprises around corners. The rope bridge and view of Chesil Beach are not to be missed. A very enjoyable 2-3 hours wandering around. See if you can spot the Lady Amherst's Pheasant!

We have been to lots of gardens over the years and Abbotsbury doesn’t disappoint. Being members of HHA we got in for free. The planting and rooms of the garden where well laid out. A pit stop for lunch in cafe then back out in the gardens was a great way to sustain us on our visit and take our time mooching around. Really good the cafe is before the gardens so if you fancied going for a drive, parking for free and have a cup of tea and admiring the gardens from the cafe then this is for you.

Beautiful and historic gardens,with many winding trails and impressive trees. Worth a bit of a climb to the Jurassic view point for one of the best views of the whole of Lyme Bay. Don't miss the walk across the Burma rope bridge. Nice cafe and courtyard for a snack.

I went here to entertain my partner who is really into gardens. it turned out to be a really nice place and even I enjoyed it. we spent about 2 hours looking round the gardens. the view point up the hill is also worth the short climb.

The illuminations were beautiful. We were lucky with the weather it was a cold crisp night, with clear starlit skies. A lovely backdrop to the gardens lit with a spectacular light show. The illuminations covered a good percentage of the gardens, and lots to see, including a straw werewolf tied to a tree! Finished off with a hot chocolate in the Restaurant.. a thoroughly enjoyable winter evening. The photos I've added don't give the experience full credit, but maybe give an idea of what to expect.

An excellent and surprising garden that ranges over a large area filled with remarkable and often pretty unique plants set with well laid paths and walkways that include the whole area of tropical garden and Forrest, the river and ponds. There's a good basic menu of fare in the Caffé and a well stocked plants and souvenirs shop. Ample parking directly across the road from the entrance.

Stunning. Gardens are very well kept and a Fantastic array of planting. Had a lovely morning walking around. There was a plant fair on the day we arrived which was very well supported and very reasonably priced.

A really lovely place which is full of.....wait for it, wait for it......subtropical plants and trees and the like. There is a white arrowed path which you can follow, or deviate from a bit to ensure you see all the gardens. Visited in April and flowers were starting to appear....must be a colour bomb in summer! In the place is just 1 toilet area and a nice cafe. Look out for some fancy birds in there too...

Nice place. The gardens are very nice, but could do with more signage and directions round the gardens. Unfortunately one of the walks was closed due to a tree fallen. The area was being cleared.

Beautiful gardens whatever time of the year. You can lose yourself for hours just walking around. If you’re fit enough magnolia hill is a must, the views at the top are stunning

A very peaceful and enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours. Ample free car parking and very clean facilities. The colonial tea room is a lovely feature where outdoor tables will be lovely when the weather warms up, though there are sun trap areas for those brighter seasonal days.

Magical and beautiful. What a stunning garden. All the family had a wonderful time. Such a variety of plants. exciting to explore all the paths and bridges etc

Gorgeous walk today. Lots of variety of tree and plants. The lily ponds and bridges are a lovely touch. Disabled access and pathways are very well thought out. The little alice in wonderland scuptures are exquisite.

These gardens are absolutely stunning! If you are in the area they're a must see! The hill was a struggle for me but the view is worth the effort! We stopped for a light snack and drink, which we would have preferred proper cutlery and crockery at the prices, but that was our only gripe. Highly recommend ☺️

The most stunning tropical gardens. Fabulous all year round, magical when illuminated. Just love it here, been such an inspiration for our own jungle garden. A must visit .

Lovely place! Beautiful grounds and really loved the various statues of Alice in Wonderland scattered amongst the various walks. A stunning place where the groundskeepers work very hard to maintain. A little surprise was the resident kookaburra, such a loud voice! 😄 A really lovely, inexpensive gift shop too where I purchesed some delicious fudge. We sat and had lunch outside the cafe, which has a large variety of homemade sandwiches and cakes. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We went back the next day for lunch again.

I really like this place and would highly recommend it. Its easier to purchase the tickets online so you don't have to wait too long. The coffee shop does some lovely cakes and food. I enjoyed my visit there. I love, flowers, colours and nature and this place has all that.