Minterne Magna Gardens Walk

1.2 miles (2 km)

Explore the stunning gardens surrounding this fine house in the village of Minterne Magna in Dorset. The house has been the home of the Churchill's and Digby's family for the last 350 years. The first Sir Winston Churchill rented Minterne from Winchester College in 1660, and left it to his younger son General Charles Churchill. His widow then sold the house to Robert Digby.
The house is surrounded by wonderful gardens with good footpaths taking you to lakes, waterfalls and streams with delightful little bridges. Flora and fauna includes Himalayan Rhododendrons and Azaleas, Cherries, and Maples. The gardens are generally open daily between mid February and early November but check the website link below for more details.
If you'd like to continue your walking in the area then you could pick up the Wessex Ridgeway and follow it to the nearby Cerne Abbas Giant.

Postcode

DT2 7AU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Minterne Gardens Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Minterne Gardens Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Minterne Gardens OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Minterne Gardens Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Minterne Magna

Wessex Ridgeway - This wonderful trail runs from Marlborough in Wiltshire to Lyme Regis on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset
Cerne Abbas Giant - This circular walk visits Giant Hill in Dorset where you will find the striking chalk hill figure of the Cerne Abbas Giant
Evershot - This circular walk from the idyllic�Dorset village of Evershot visits the delightful Melbury Park.
Maiden Newton - This Dorset based village sits in a rural spot on the River Frome near to the county town of Dorchester
Sydling St Nicholas - This pretty little village is located in a lovely rural location in the�chalk�hills of the�Dorset Downs

Pubs/Cafes

The on site�Tea Terrace opens Daily, serving homemade light lunches, cakes and Cream Teas.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head a few miles to the north west and you could visit the idyllic�village of Evershot. The village has strong connections with Thomas Hardy and includes a noteworthy 16th century pub and walking trails to the nearby Melbury Park Estate. The Frome Valley Trail can also be picked up here and followed along the picturesque river to Maiden Newton and Dorchester.
Just to the south west is the neighbouring village of Sydling St Nicholas. It's a delightful place with thatched 18th century cottages on a chocolate box High Street, a noteworthy 15th century church and a fine centuries old pub. There's also nice walks along the pretty Sydling Water here. You can follow the Wessex Ridgeway Trail north east for about 2 miles to reach the village.