Dorset Gardens Tour 2022

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From$2,650 pp
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8 Days / 7 Nights
Availability : June 17 - Only one departure!
Start: West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset, England
End: West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset, England
Dorset Gardens Tour: 7 nights based at West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or [email protected] to book.

Dorset has a wonderful collection of stately homes surrounded by long-established gardens. Dorset’s southerly location allows subtropical plants to thrive at Abbotsbury – a garden noted for its Camellia groves and magnolias. The design of Minterne House gardens was inspired by Capability Brown while the Victorian gardens as Larmer Tree were laid out by General Pitt Rivers. From the gardens of 15th century Athelhampton House to the large formal gardens of Kingston Lacy, there’s something for everyone.

DetailItineraryDates & PricesHotel DescriptionsMapPhotos
Tour Details

Highlights:

  • Attractive formal gardens and extensive parkland at Kingston Lacy
  • Magnificent garden at Athelhampton surrounding the 15th century house
  • Compton Acres – the south’s finest historical gardens
  • The subtropical gardens at Abbotsbury are famous in Dorset of their Rhodeodendrons, Hydrangea collections and a charming Victorian garden

Pick Up Location & TIme

West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset BH20 5RJ (Google Map)
4:00pm – You’re welcome to check into the country house hotel from 4pm onwards.

Drop off Location & Time

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way onward.

Price Includes

  • High quality en-suite upgraded accommodation at West Lulworth House
  • Excellent food in our country house, full board (B,L,D daily)
  • The services of our knowledgeable leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday
  • Full-day excursions with all transport on touring days in a good-quality, comfortable mini-coach
  • All admission costs including those for English Heritage, National Trust, and RHS Gardens.

Meals

  • 7 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 7 dinners
  • 0 teas

Price Excludes

  • Airfare
  • Transfers
  • Pre / Post hotel nights
  • Travel to/from the Country Hotel (The nearest railway station is Wool)
  • Admissions to some venues with stately homes/houses which incur a separate admission fee (please allow approx. £10 per day for entrances)
  • Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
  • Travel Insurance
What to Expect

Unpack Once!

Explore places of interest, beauty, heritage and wonder. Enjoy active guided sightseeing on relaxed-pace trips to revel in the history, landscapes, architecture and culture of your chosen destination. Our knowledgeable leaders will provide fascinating detail to bring it all to life. Travel between locations by mini-coach or public transport following a carefully planned itinerary.

  • Accommodation at a country house hotel
  • Full Board Meals – from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
  • Knowledgeable leader
  • Transport between locations

As you’ll be walking around the gardens please bring solid, comfortable footwear for rough, wet or uneven terrain in gardens, and clothes for the great British weather! Please also expect to spend most of the day on your feet exploring the gardens you visit.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Day

You’re welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. (D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 2Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Compton Acres

In the morning you will be visiting Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Gardens. The garden is a tranquil, peaceful area situated in the undulating Dorset countryside which has lakes, canals and formal gardens. 

In the afternoon you will visit Compton Acres. The gardens of compton acres are laid out on a circular route. The unique layout allows visitors to discover each of the garden. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 3Minterne Gardens & Mapperton

The valley around Minterne Gardens was first landscaped in the 18th century, with ideas from Capability Brown. The upper gardens include a fine collection of trees and shrubs, especially those from the Himalayas. The lower gardens, a chain of pools and streams, have many azaleas, ferns and waterside plants. Later we visit Mapperton, a formal garden in the Italianate style and set in a valley, alongside a beautiful Jacobean manor house surrounded by mature trees and with superb views. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 4Free day

Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit.
A free day for you to explore the local area using the Discovery Point or relax in the Country House. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 5Dorset Athelhampton House & Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Athelhampton House is a Tudor mansion with beautiful formal gardens. The gardens include water features, perennial and rose beds, and a topiary garden. Guests may choose to visit the house (admission not included). Later we visit Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens. Enjoying a very mild microclimate the gardens have a wide range of mature trees, shrubs and perennials laid out in informal style. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 6Cranborne Manor & Larmer Tree

In the morning you will visit Cranborne Manor. A seventeenth century garden, which has a mount and a grass terraced tilt yard. The mount is now a rose garden but still permits views out of the garden. 

In the afternoon you will be visiting Larmer tree gardens. An 11 acre garden set in the heart of cranborne chase. The area boasts outstanding beauty. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 7Knoll Gardens & Kingston Lacy

Knoll Gardens is a plantsman’s garden, created from the 1970s. Informal in style the garden has many rare trees, shrubs and perennials, and collections of ornamental grasses. In the afternoon we visit Kingston Lacy. The house was built in the 18th century by Ralph Bankes in the Italianate style. The grounds include formal gardens and extensive, informal parklands that feature a Japanese Garden, a fernery and woodland walks. Guests may also wish to visit the house (admission not included). (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 8Departure Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)

Dates and Prices
Departure Dates Per person (single or twin) Single in a double room
2022: June 17 $2,650 $2,930

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on single/twin/double occupancy.

Supplement applied for single in a double room.

Rates are in $ CAD. Rates include room upgrade (better) and membership fees. 


Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or [email protected] to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline. We can assist in your travel to/from the Country House.

During your Discovery Tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit many fascinating places. The following is our provisional programme, and your leader may adjust it at their discretion, taking into account factors such as weather, local opening times, or other events. This holiday includes active sightseeing and you should expect to spend lots of time on your feet.

Most admissions to places of interest are not included. Please allow up to £10 per day for admissions to all the places of interest we will be visiting. The full adult price is given but there are usually good reductions for parties and seniors. If you are a member of the National Trust, English Heritage or similar, remember to bring your card for free admission to their properties. Please bring cash as card machines are not always available at all venues.

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Travel Details:
Address is: West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset BH20 5RJ

We recommend getting the train to Wool and then a taxi transfer to West Lulworth House. However if you are planning on driving, please note that you can only park in a public car park. Please check the process below.

By Train:
The nearest railway station is at Wool.

By Taxi:
The 5-mile journey from Wool railway station takes approximately 10 minutes. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, Durdle Door Cabs. As a guide price, it costs £12 per 4-seat taxi in 2020. 8-seat taxis are also available at a higher rate. They will arrange shared taxis wherever possible. Please pre-book your taxi at least 7 days in advance by contacting:

Durdle Door Cabs*
Tel: +44 (0) 1929 444546
Email: [email protected]
The return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the West Lulworth House Manager.
*Durdle Door Cabs is not owned or managed by us.

By Car:
The recommended route is via Bere Regis and Wool – although slightly longer this avoids the traffic through Bournemouth and Poole. From Bere Regis follow signs to Wool. At Wool cross the level crossing and turn left following signs to Lulworth Cove and West Lulworth. Continue for a further 4 miles to Lulworth Cove. As you enter Lulworth Cove Village, there is a slip road on your left to West Lulworth House. Park on the slip road if you would like to take advantage of our bag drop off service, which is available from 10am to 6.30pm, on arrival and departure days. You can then continue to the public car park at the end of the slip road to park your car.

This car park is free for West Lulworth House guests as long as book your car in with House staff within 30 minutes of arriving, failure to do this could result in a fine from the Lulworth Estate.

Hotel Descriptions
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West Lulworth House

Set just 200 yards from the sea, West Lulworth House has a highly coveted location just above the lake-still expanse of Lulworth Cove on Dorset’s iconic Jurassic Coast. Built in 1881 by the then Mayor of Weymouth, it has been perennially popular with walkers, twitchers and fossil hunters. As well as 22 delightful bedrooms, there’s a south facing garden and elevated terrace with cracking views, an outdoor heated pool and a pair of lovely lounges, perfect for a relaxing walking holiday exploring the Jurassic Coast. Step out the front door and on to the coast path. To the west lies Middle Beach and the picture perfect Durdle Door, with its massive rock arch and gently sloping beach. East lie the beaches of Mupe Bay and Arish Mell. But you’re here for the walking and what adventure you’ll have on the coast path or exploring the interior. Then there’s Lulworth Castle and the famous ruins of Corfe Castle standing guard over the Purbeck Hills to explore.

Address: West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset BH20 5RJ

Room Amenities: Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi

Stay in one of the main building’s bright, beautifully presented rooms or in the adjoining cottage. With 22 bedrooms, West Lulworth House has plenty of space and there’s a range of Good, Better and Best Rooms to choose from: each room has an airy feel and the same cosy style. Opt though for Room 4 on the first floor of the main house for its weathered, pastel-painted wood panels and the lovely view looking over the cove, or squirrel yourself away in Room 23 in the cottage to the side of the main house for a large room with more sumptuous views to soak up.

All ‘Good’ rooms are ensuite and furnished to a high standard. There are also several ‘Better’ and ‘Best’ Rooms that are either larger or have a desirable view, a more luxurious mattress, larger television, enhanced toiletries and a fluffy bathrobe & slippers.

Hotel Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, attractive garden, outdoor swimming pool, multi-purpose activity room, lounge, library and board games to borrow

After a day walking on the Dorset Coast or hunting for fossils, come back to the house and its specially tailored walkers’ facilities. Relax by sitting in the sunny south facing gardens or take a table on the terrace with matchless views of the cove below. Slip in to the heated outdoor pool then surface in time to retire to the cosy lounge and its squishy sofas and seafaring decorations to read up on the area or the attractive bar with its pretty tiled insets for a sundowner.

Map

Photos

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