Forde Abbey
This former Cistercian monastery has 30 acres of award winning gardens to explore. It's perfect for a peaceful afternoon stroll in beautiful surroundings.
You can extend your walk by picking up the Jubilee Trail which starts at the abbey. The long distance trail crosses from one side of Dorset to the other, taking you on a tour of some of the county's best scenery and prettiest villages.
You could also pick up the Liberty Trail and follow it east to Winsham and Wayford Woods. The delightful woods include streams, a lake, Rhododendrons and bluebells in the spring months. They are well worth a visit after exploring the abbey if you have time.
Also nearby is the large park at Cricket St Thomas where there's more nice trails taking you to peaceful lakes, secluded woodland and beautiful gardens.
Postcode
TA20 4LU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Forde Abbey Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Forde Abbey Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Forde Abbey OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Forde Abbey Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
There's a nice on site tea room selling a good range of meals and snacks.
Dog Walking
The grounds are a nice place for a dog walk so you'll probably see other owners on your visit. Please keep them on leads though. You can find water bowls in the tea room area.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
For more walking ideas in the area see the Dorset Walks and Somerset Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
An estate cottage, Forde Abbey. The cottage is situated behind the Abbey near the Forge. The river Axe is just visible among the trees on the left of the building.
Forde Abbey was originally a Cistercian monastery in the twelfth century. During the dissolution of the monasteries Richard Pollard acquired the property and later in 1649 it was bought by Edmund Prideaux, Attorney General to Cromwell. He converted the building and made it into a house. It is still in private ownership and open to the public. Today there was a wedding and one can just about see the guests enjoying the sunshine on the lawn outside the house.
Curving drainpipes at the Abbey. The drainpipes meet at a downpipe which has engraved at the top:
"Fra: Gwyn Esq SECRETARY at War to Queen ANNE 1713"
Francis Gwyn was the son-in-law of Edmund Prideaux, husband to his daughter Margaret who had inherited the estate in 1702.
Spring flowers. In the early spring there are carpets and carpets of crocus and daffodil in the extensive gardens of this beautiful stately home.
The monks' quarters. This photograph shows some of the ancient parts of the abbey at the back of what is now the main house. Inside on the ground floor there are vaulted ceilings - some of which are in the restaurant.
The Nymph and the Swan. Rising out of the water, this duo has been the subject of many ancient myths and legends.
The Great Pond and sluice gate. The water from the Great Pond used to provide power for the Abbey mill. Today it feeds all the water features in the gardens.
Gazing upwards. A very fine and intricate pattern in wrought iron forms the domed roof of the cupola at the end of the Long Pond.