Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

10/09/2026

✨ October Illuminate at the Subtropical Gardens ✨

As darkness falls across West Dorset, Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens come alive with a magical world of light. 🌙✨

From Friday 24 October to Saturday 31 October, enjoy an exclusive early preview of this year’s Illuminate trail during October Half Term.

Wander through the gardens and woodland valley after dark, where familiar plants and pathways are transformed by light, colour, shapes and textures. 🌿💡

And this year, there’s even more to explore… our longest Illuminate route yet takes you further into the gardens, with spectacular new displays and magical moments around every turn. ✨

🎟️ October Illuminate
📅 Friday 24 October – Saturday 31 October
🌙 Evenings throughout October Half Term

Come and be among the first to discover this year’s trail before Illuminate returns later in November for the Christmas season. 🎄✨

Tickets on the gate or online
www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk/events

08/09/2026

🍂✨ Autumn & Winter at the Gardens ✨🎄

Autumn has crept up on us after a glorious summer, and our events calendar is starting to take shape! We’ve got some familiar favourites returning, alongside some exciting new ways to season the seasons.

✨ October Illuminate
📅 24th–31st October
An enchanting evening trail through the Gardens. Tickets available online or on the gate.

🍂 Half Term Half Price
📅 October half term week
Enjoy half-price daytime entry throughout half term.

✨ Christmas Illuminate
📅 From 20th November
Our magical Christmas trail returns! Tickets on sale online.

🎅 Santa’s Grotto
Father Christmas is back this winter! Come and visit Santa in his cosy grotto. Tickets on sale online.

🎶 Sing-Along Christmas Carols with Father Christmas
📅 Monday 14th December

🧶 Knit & Natter with Father Christmas
📅 Tuesday 15th December – lunchtime

🎵 Festive Best Dressed Dog with Father Christmas
📅 Wednesday 16th December – lunchtime

There’s plenty of festive fun to look forward to this winter! 🎄✨ Head to the website for more details.

27/08/2026

✨ Be among the first to experience Abbotsbury Illuminate! ✨

This October, we’re giving you an extra early week preview of Illuminate, throughout the October half term — ahead of the main winter season.

🌟 Our longest Illuminate route yet!
Presented by O T Event Technicians LTD, this brand-new trail takes you further into the gardens than ever before, with spectacular displays, magical moments and plenty of surprises to discover along the way.

🍂 Wander through the gardens after dark and experience Abbotsbury in a whole new light.

And that’s not all… ✨ Illuminate will return from the end of November and throughout December, when the gardens will be glowing once again to celebrate Christmas. 🎄✨

One brand-new trail. Two magical seasons. Our longest Illuminate route yet.

🌙 October half term — an exclusive early preview
🎄 End of November & December — Christmas Illuminate

Don’t miss the magic! ✨Tickets now on sale for October Half Term week. Christmas Illuminate tickets as well 🎫

Just to be transparent, it is the same trail October week and Christmas November & December dates.

www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk/events

26/08/2026

This weekend Abbotsbury has lots happening, pop along to Abbey Farm, Abbotsbury Summer Fair.

25/08/2026

🌿 **Make the most of the last days of summer!** ☀️

Now that the hot beach weather has tailed off, why not plan a visit to the Subtropical Gardens before it’s back to school? 🌴

This is the LAST WEEK of our Great British Summer Savings!🎉 Enjoy reduced adult entry, with children’s tickets just £1.

Come and explore the winding paths, discover fascinating plants and take on **Lancaster The Explorer trail** – a perfect adventure for curious young explorers! 🌿🗺️

Don’t miss out – your summer garden adventure awaits! 💚

23/08/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our Plant Fair, and of course to and to all the wonderful stallholders.🌿🌸

What a perfect Sunday! Breezy, warm and filled with beautiful plants, happy visitors and plenty of garden inspiration. 💚

Thank you for making it such a lovely day! 🌱✨

20/08/2026

🌿 **Discover Dorset’s Top 6 Must-See Gardens!** 🌸

From beautiful English garden design and spectacular planting to fascinating history and hidden gems, Dorset is home to some truly unforgettable gardens.

✨ Explore six exceptional gardens showcasing the very best of Dorset’s horticultural heritage — each with its own character, stories and treasures waiting to be discovered. Sherborne Castle and Gardens Athelhampton House Forde Abbey and Gardens Minterne House Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands

🌺 Which one will you visit first?

19/08/2026

YFW Bloodbikes will also be attending the Plant Fair on Sunday. Support the fundraising and understand how they support the NHS 24/7 across Dorset and Somerset.

This weekend is a busy one for events, are you attending any as we would love to see you.

Saturday - 🏍️

Tesco Chard - Bucket Collection From 10:00-16:00

Bridport Carnival - we are bringing along a marked bike to lead the procession, a cracking event which we also attended last year.

Sunday - 🏍️

Yeovil showground carboot sale - 11:45-1500

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens plant fair from 10:00-17:00

Pimperne village. Dorset. Summer Fete from 12:00-18:00

A busy weekend for all our volunteers across the county in both Somerset & Dorset

17/08/2026