Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-american-museum-amp-gardens-claverton-near-bath"><a aria-label="American Museum (opens in a new tab)" href="https://americanmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Museum &amp; Gardens</a>, Claverton, near Bath</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-american-museum-daffodils-Helena-Miscioscia-Photography-.jpg" alt="american museum daffodils Helena Miscioscia Photography" class="wp-image-93610" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-american-museum-daffodils-Helena-Miscioscia-Photography-.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-american-museum-daffodils-Helena-Miscioscia-Photography--800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-american-museum-daffodils-Helena-Miscioscia-Photography--1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-american-museum-daffodils-Helena-Miscioscia-Photography--400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-american-museum-daffodils-Helena-Miscioscia-Photography--768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: <a href="https://www.helenamphotography.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helena Miscioscia Photography</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Eighteen different varieties of daffodils – some 70,000 of them – open in waves in the 125-acre gardens and grounds of the museum dedicated to American folk and decorative arts. Daffodil Month is between March and April. From Sat 9 March.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lytes-cary-manor-near-somerton"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Lytes Cary Manor (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lytes-cary-manor" target="_blank">Lytes Cary Manor</a>, near Somerton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="749" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-lytes-cary-274940909_4648854935226252_7636765089382606349_n_Fotor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65071" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-lytes-cary-274940909_4648854935226252_7636765089382606349_n_Fotor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-lytes-cary-274940909_4648854935226252_7636765089382606349_n_Fotor-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-lytes-cary-274940909_4648854935226252_7636765089382606349_n_Fotor-668x500.jpg 668w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-lytes-cary-274940909_4648854935226252_7636765089382606349_n_Fotor-150x112.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-lytes-cary-274940909_4648854935226252_7636765089382606349_n_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-lytes-cary-274940909_4648854935226252_7636765089382606349_n_Fotor-701x525.jpg 701w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The medieval manor house dating back to the 14th century has a beautiful Arts &amp; Crafts garden, with &#8216;rooms&#8217; containing topiary and herbaceous borders, a peaceful walk along the River Cary&nbsp;– and masses of these beauties. Browse the secondhand tomes in the book barn and have a cuppa after.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.comptonacres.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Compton Acres,</a> Poole</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1126" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-compton-acres-spring-flowers-425279969_819432240232665_2637579885285833311_n.jpg" alt="compton acres spring flowers " class="wp-image-93609" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-compton-acres-spring-flowers-425279969_819432240232665_2637579885285833311_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-compton-acres-spring-flowers-425279969_819432240232665_2637579885285833311_n-800x601.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-compton-acres-spring-flowers-425279969_819432240232665_2637579885285833311_n-1000x751.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-compton-acres-spring-flowers-425279969_819432240232665_2637579885285833311_n-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-compton-acres-spring-flowers-425279969_819432240232665_2637579885285833311_n-768x577.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Spring is busting out all over at these unique 10-acre ornamental gardens, with camellias in the peaceful Wooded Valley and tranquil Japanese Garden, forsythia in the Rock &amp; Water Garden and narcissus all over the place. There&#8217;s a well-stocked plant centre and great café and tearoom. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forde-abbey-near-chard"><a href="https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/somerset-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forde Abbey</a>, near Chard</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-forede-abbey-spring-flowers-newsletter_plantfair.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65047" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-forede-abbey-spring-flowers-newsletter_plantfair.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-forede-abbey-spring-flowers-newsletter_plantfair-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-forede-abbey-spring-flowers-newsletter_plantfair-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-forede-abbey-spring-flowers-newsletter_plantfair-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-forede-abbey-spring-flowers-newsletter_plantfair-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-forede-abbey-spring-flowers-newsletter_plantfair-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The first crocii were planted at the former Cistercian abbey over 100 years ago; now there are acres of the flowers, lining pathways and covering the lawns and elsewhere, wild daffodils, dog’s tooth violets, chinodoxa and clumps of hellebores. Crocus Week in Fri 1 – Thurs 7 March. The plant nursery, café and gift shop are open every day.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minterne-gardens-near-dorchester"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Minterne Gardens (opens in a new tab)" href="https://minterne.co.uk/" target="_blank">Minterne Gardens</a>, near Dorchester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="749" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-minterne-274375876_4872561422830263_3394678114944389094_n_Fotor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65053" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-minterne-274375876_4872561422830263_3394678114944389094_n_Fotor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-minterne-274375876_4872561422830263_3394678114944389094_n_Fotor-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-minterne-274375876_4872561422830263_3394678114944389094_n_Fotor-668x500.jpg 668w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-minterne-274375876_4872561422830263_3394678114944389094_n_Fotor-150x112.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-minterne-274375876_4872561422830263_3394678114944389094_n_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-minterne-274375876_4872561422830263_3394678114944389094_n_Fotor-701x525.jpg 701w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The world-renowned, unique collection of Himalayan rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom – as are the spring bulbs – in amongst small lakes, waterfalls and streams in horseshoe-shaped gardens below Minterne House. Head to the tea shop for cakes and light lunches. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prior-park-landscape-garden-bath"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Prior Park Landscape Garden (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/prior-park-landscape-garden/features/things-to-enjoy-in-spring" target="_blank">Prior Park Landscape Garden</a>, Bath</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-prior-park-274550738_7415131768527046_1296822874487538580_n.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65062" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-prior-park-274550738_7415131768527046_1296822874487538580_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-prior-park-274550738_7415131768527046_1296822874487538580_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-prior-park-274550738_7415131768527046_1296822874487538580_n-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-prior-park-274550738_7415131768527046_1296822874487538580_n-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-prior-park-274550738_7415131768527046_1296822874487538580_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-prior-park-274550738_7415131768527046_1296822874487538580_n-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Daffs are bursting out in the Summerhouse Glade in the 18th century landscape gardens created by entrepreneur Ralph Allen, &#8216;Capability&#8217; Brown and the poet Alexander Pope. Sip a brew from the Tea Shed (open weekends and school hols).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tyntesfield-near-wraxall"><a aria-label="Tyntesfield, (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield/features/tyntesfield-this-spring" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tyntesfield,</a> near Wraxall</h2>



<p>Make your way to Paradise, the peaceful western part of the gardens, where daffodils and other flowers abound in the extensive grounds of the guano palace (the epic Gothic Revival house was built on a fortune made from South American bird droppings fertiliser). Big decision of the day? Which one of the two cafes – the Cow Barn or The Pavilion&nbsp;– to stop for coffee and cake.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapperton-house-near-beaminster"><a href="https://mapperton.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Mapperton House (opens in a new tab)">Mapperton House</a>, near Beaminster</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-mapperton_Fotor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65073" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-mapperton_Fotor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-mapperton_Fotor-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-mapperton_Fotor-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-mapperton_Fotor-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-mapperton_Fotor-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-mapperton_Fotor-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Over in the Italianate gardens (Historic Houses&#8217; ‘Garden of the Year’ 2020) of the Jacobean manor house (<em>Country Life</em>&#8216;s ‘Nation’s Finest Manor House), the crocuses, tulips and other early bulbs are springing forth, the camellia are in bloom, magnolia in bud and hellebores are open – as is the Coach House café.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abbotsbury-sub-tropical-gardens-near-weymouth"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Garden (opens in a new tab)" href="http://abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens/" target="_blank">Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens</a>, near Weymouth</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-abbotsbury-274621681_10159917594903739_2939125128716754149_n.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65113" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-abbotsbury-274621681_10159917594903739_2939125128716754149_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-abbotsbury-274621681_10159917594903739_2939125128716754149_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-abbotsbury-274621681_10159917594903739_2939125128716754149_n-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-abbotsbury-274621681_10159917594903739_2939125128716754149_n-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-abbotsbury-274621681_10159917594903739_2939125128716754149_n-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/00-abbotsbury-274621681_10159917594903739_2939125128716754149_n-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Established in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester as a kitchen garden for her nearby castle, today it&#8217;s a 20-acre garden filled with rare and exotic flowers and plants from around the globe, and is world famous for its camellias (that&#8217;s them above) and magnolias. The Colonial Restaurant, a gift shop and excellent plant centre complete the picture.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barrington-court-near-ilminster"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court/features/the-unfurling-spring-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Barrington Court (opens in a new tab)">Barrington Court</a>, near Ilminster</h2>



<p>Tudor manor house Barrington Court is renowned for its apples –  and the 150 different types of apples here will soon be bursting into blossom – but the spring bulbs are pretty spectacular too. Daffodils line the avenue and in the orchards; primroses, snowdrops, crocuses, scillas, aconites, giant fritillaries and tulips will be popping up all over the place. The cafe, shop, artisan workshops and Book Barn are all worth a look. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-"></h2>


Blooming marvellous: stunning spring flowers in Dorset & Somerset

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