Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/julie_bret-crocuses-2788531_1280.jpg" alt="julie_bret-crocuses" class="wp-image-116268" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/julie_bret-crocuses-2788531_1280.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/julie_bret-crocuses-2788531_1280-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/julie_bret-crocuses-2788531_1280-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/julie_bret-crocuses-2788531_1280-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/julie_bret-crocuses-2788531_1280-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Julie Bret for Pixabay</figcaption></figure>



<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>



<p>The 30 acres of lawns and meadows of the former Cistercian abbey will be carpeted with naturalised <a href="https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/events-module/2026/03/01/crocus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crocuses</a> looking their best, from <strong>Sat 1 – Sat 7 March.</strong> In April, they&#8217;ll be festooned with flamboyant and frilly tulips in every hue. The Tulip Swirl and wild tulips planted in the wild flower meadows sound especially gorgeous. The <a href="https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/events-module/2025/04/07/tulip-extravaganza-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tulip Extravaganza </a>runs from <strong>Sat 11 – Sun 26 April</strong>, with the specialist nurseries out in force at the <a href="https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/events-module/2026/04/11/spring-plant-and-gardening-fair-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spring Plant and Gardening Fair</a> on <strong>Sat 11 April. </strong></p>



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



<p>The medieval manor house dating back to the 14th century has a beautiful Arts &amp; Crafts <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/lytes-cary-manor/things-to-see-in-the-garden-at-lytes-cary-manor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">garden</a>, with &#8216;rooms&#8217; containing topiary and herbaceous borders, a cherry orchard in blossom in spring, and a peaceful walk along the River Cary. Browse the secondhand tomes in the book barn and have a cuppa after. Gardens are <strong>open every day</strong> from now until end November.</p>



<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>



<p>Eighteen different varieties of daffodils – some 70,000 of them – bloom in waves across the 125-acre gardens and grounds of the museum dedicated to American folk and decorative arts. The panoramic views over the Limpley Stoke valley are wonderful and the grub in the American Garden Deli&#8217;s pretty good too. <a href="https://americanmuseum.org/whats-on/daffodil-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daffodil Month</a> runs between <strong>Sat 14 March – Sun 19 April. </strong>The American Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, and Mondays during school hols and bank holidays.</p>



<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/8/2025/03/nennieinszweidrei-narzissen-8598191_1280.jpg" alt="Daffodils somerset dorset" class="wp-image-116269" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/nennieinszweidrei-narzissen-8598191_1280.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/nennieinszweidrei-narzissen-8598191_1280-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/nennieinszweidrei-narzissen-8598191_1280-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/nennieinszweidrei-narzissen-8598191_1280-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/nennieinszweidrei-narzissen-8598191_1280-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Annette Myers for Pixabay</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caisson-gardens-combe-hay-near-bath"><a href="https://caissongardens.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caisson Gardens</a>, Combe Hay, near Bath</h2>



<p>When Amanda and Phil Honey moved into a Grade II listed Georgian house, once the HQ of the Somerset Coal Canal Company, they transformed the neglected grounds into an eclectic, sustainable – and stunningly lovely – garden, with the disused canal and a series of locks still running through it. Lovely all year around, they&#8217;re <a href="https://caissongardens.com/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">open to the public</a> this spring <strong>Fri 10, Sat 11, Fri 17, Sat 18, Fri 24, Sat 25 April, Fri 22, Sat 23, Fri 29, Sat 30 May </strong>and <strong>more dates in June.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prior-park-landscape-garden-bath"><a 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" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prior Park Landscape Garden</a>, Bath</h2>



<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 (<strong>open weekends and school hols).</strong></p>



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



<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 around. There&#8217;s a well-stocked plant centre and great café and tearoom. <strong>Open seven days a week, all year round.</strong></p>



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



<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. <strong>Open daily until Sun 8 November.</strong></p>



<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/8/2025/03/kimdaejeung-flower-3294570_1280.jpg" alt="azaleas dorset" class="wp-image-116270" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/kimdaejeung-flower-3294570_1280.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/kimdaejeung-flower-3294570_1280-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/kimdaejeung-flower-3294570_1280-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/kimdaejeung-flower-3294570_1280-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/03/kimdaejeung-flower-3294570_1280-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kim Dae Jeung for Pixabay</figcaption></figure>



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



<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 daffodils, crocuses, tulips and other early bulbs are springing forth, the camellia are in bloom, magnolia in bud and hellebores are open. The gardens are open for <a href="https://ecom.roller.app/mapperton/booknow/en/product/1004926" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daffodil Week</a> from <strong>Sun 15 to Thurs 19 March. </strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abbotsbury-sub-tropical-gardens-near-weymouth"><a href="https://www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens</a>, near Weymouth</h2>



<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 and magnolias in bloom in the spring. The Colonial Restaurant, a gift shop and excellent plant centre complete the picture. <strong>Open daily.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barrington-court-near-ilminster"><a aria-label="Barrington Court (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court/features/the-unfurling-spring-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">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 and artisan workshops are all worth a look. <strong>Open daily</strong> until November, then weekends only until the end of the year.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wonderful walks in Somerset &amp; Dorset</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/and-exhale-the-best-wellbeing-retreats-and-workshops-to-book-across-the-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The best wellbeing retreats and workshops to book now</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/olympics-winter-sports-skiing-snowboarding-ice-skating-ice-hockey-bobsleigh-skeleton-curling-somerset-dorset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ice ice baby! Where to get some winter sports action near you</a></li>
</ul>


Flower power: stunning spring flowers in Dorset & Somerset

You may also like