What are the opening hours?

Monday 10:30am - 5pm Tuesday 10:30am - 5pm Wednesday 10:30am - 5pm Thursday 10:30am - 5pm Friday 10:30am - 5pm Saturday 10:30am - 5pm Sunday 10:30am - 5pm

Forde Abbey and Gardens, Forde Abbey and Gardens, Chard (2026)

Once described as "...the most perfect monastery in England", Forde Abbey is a beacon of elegant antiquity, set within the exquisite countryside of Dorset. Built almost 900 years ago by Cistercian monks, the Abbey still embodies the serenity and philosophy of the order who lived, prayed and farmed here. Walk in the actual footsteps of the monks as they carried out their daily duties in these medie

val surroundings. Experience the wonderful English Gothic setting created by the Prideaux family when they transformed the austere Abbey into a post-Renaissance palace. From 1141 to the present day, Forde Abbey is a stunning example of history preserved but not petrified, where the Kennard family continues to live and work in an informal style and where visitors will always receive a warm welcome.

18/06/2026

FORDE ABBEY NURSERY

Bring colour and interest to your garden this summer with a visit to the Forde Abbey Nursery. Our extensive range of herbaceous perennials is looking wonderful and many varieties are just coming into flower, making it the perfect time to choose plants for your garden.

We currently have a beautiful selection of Achilleas in a wide range of colours, Agapanthus in full bud and ready to make a spectacular display, along with a huge choice of Geraniums and Crocosmias to suit every style of planting.

All the plants stocked in the nursery are grown here on site, meaning they have travelled no miles before reaching our customers. By growing our own plants, we are able to offer healthy, well-established specimens whilst keeping the environment in mind and reducing plant miles.

There is no entry fee to visit the nursery and browse our collection. We are open daily from 10.30am to 5.00pm, with last entry at 4.00pm. We look forward to welcoming the plant lovers throughout this summer.

17/06/2026

FORDE ABBEY CONCERT - The Kyan Quartet
Thursday, 2nd July at 7:30PM

The third concert of this year is in a few weeks and it has every promise to be another spectacular evening, performed by a young string quartet, formed in 2020, bringing together musicians from Britain, America, China and France. First Prize winners in this year’s Salzburg Chamber Music competition.

They will play the quartet in Eb by F***y Mendelssohn, Mozart’s Quartet K421 in D minor and Beethoven’s late Op.132 quartet.

For more information and to book tickets -> https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/events-module/2026/07/02/forde-abbey-concert-the-kyan-quartet

16/06/2026

There is nothing quite like the taste of a sun-ripened strawberry, grown outdoors in the fresh countryside air and picked straight from the plant. The strawberries are looking absolutely scrumptious after the last burst of showers, with an abundance of berries ripe, growing at table top height ready for easy picking.

Bring your family and friends, enjoy the countryside, and experience the freshest strawberries nature has to offer.

The Fruit farm is open daily from 9:30am – 6pm (weather permitting).
PYO Forde Abbey Fruit Farm,
Thorncombe,
Chard TA20 4NA

Tel: 01460 30460

12/06/2026

The forecast has finally shifted from showers to sunshine, and we would love for you to spend the weekend exploring our beautiful gardens and enjoying some delicious food at the Abbot’s Table Café.

The gardens are open daily from 10:30am, and the Café welcomes visitors from 10:00am.

Discounted tickets for the house and gardens are available when booked online in advance, so be sure to secure yours before your visit at https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/buy-tickets

11/06/2026

THIS EVENING:
FORDE ABBEY CONCERT – The Soldier’s Tale

INCLUDES AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO PICNIC IN THE AWARD WINNING GARDENS AT FORDE ABBEY FOR FREE WITH YOUR CONCERT BOOKING.

BOOK NOW!
https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/events-module/2026/06/11/forde-abbey-concert-the-soldier-s-tale

An outstanding evening of chamber music. Pianist Julian Milford is joined by acclaimed Spanish clarinettist Maximiliano Martín and Marcus Barcham-Stevens, leader of Britten Sinfonia, for a varied and exciting programme.

The concert features the Suite from The Soldier's Tale by Igor Stravinsky, inspired by Russian folk tales and centred on a soldier’s struggle with the devil. The programme also includes Fantasiestücke by Robert Schumann and Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major by Johannes Brahms. The evening concludes with Contrasts by Béla Bartók, originally written for Benny Goodman and renowned for its fiery, gypsy-inspired finale.

The concert begins at 7:30pm, with hall doors opening at 6:30pm. Seating is unreserved.

The bar will be open from 6:30pm, with refreshments also available during the interval.

Guests are welcome to picnic in the gardens before the performance. The Undercroft will also be open from 6pm for those who would prefer to picnic indoors or in the event of bad weather.
Do not miss this opportunity to enjoy the gardens for free along with your concert booking.

10/06/2026

June is a wonderful time to explore the Dorset countryside, as gardens burst into colour and early summer reaches its peak. This month, the Dorset Trail celebrates the theme of Blooming June, with each of the six participating gardens showcasing something truly spectacular in bloom.

The trail features Forde Abbey, Sherborne Castle and Gardens, Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Mapperton House, Gardens & Wildlands, Minterne House, and Athelhampton House and Gardens. Spread across the beautiful Dorset countryside, these exceptional gardens offer visitors the chance to enjoy a rich variety of seasonal displays, from vibrant borders and historic landscapes to rare plants and stunning floral highlights.

Visit the top 6 must see gardens in Dorset showcasing the very best in English Garden design, planting and history.

Address

Forde Abbey And Gardens
Chard
TA204LU

Opening Hours

Monday	10:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	10:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	10:30am - 5pm
Thursday	10:30am - 5pm
Friday	10:30am - 5pm
Saturday	10:30am - 5pm
Sunday	10:30am - 5pm

Telephone

01460 220231

Website

http://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/

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