Monument record MWX3572 - Abbotsbury Gardens

Gardens containing an extensive subtropical and Mediterranean plant collection which was originally part of Strangways Castle. The grounds were first enclosed from 1808 by Henry Stephen Fox-Strangways who together with his half brother William Fox-Strangways established an extensive plant collection of subtropical and Mediterranean species. The gardens were expanded by William Fox-Strangways during the 1860s, with the help of head gardener Peter McNeil from 1865. An expansion of the gardens and plant collections took place during the 1890s by the fifth Earl of Ilchester and Countess together with their head gardener Joseph Benbow. A period of restoration was started in the late 1960s and included extension of the garden in 1982-84 and the establishment of new plant collections and garden features during the 1990s. Also known as Castle Gardens.

Late 19th century sub tropical garden, 7ha, much restored in 1970s, and expanded in the 1980s to 8ha. Abbotsbury Gardens begun in later C18 by the 1st Countess of Ilchester, when a walled garden was built for Abbotsbury Castle, 1km to the south west. Notable planting of individual trees and flowering shrubs in early and mid-C19, continued to ariybd 1900. <2>

The grounds were first enclosed from 1808 by Henry Stephen Fox-Strangways who together with his half brother William Fox-Strangways established an extensive plant collection of subtropical and Mediterranean species. The gardens were expanded by William Fox-Strangways during the 1860s, with the help of head gardener Peter McNeil from 1865. An expansion of the gardens and plant collections took place during the 1890s by the fifth Earl of Ilchester and Countess together with their head gardener Joseph Benbow. A period of restoration was started in the late 1960s and included extension of the garden in 1982-84 and the establishment of new plant collections and garden features during the 1990s. <3>

Fair, John and Moxom, Don, 1993, Abbotsbury and the Swannery (Monograph). SDO21281.

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey map 1:10,560, 1967 (Map). SDO18658.

[Name SY 56448504] Castle Gardens[NAT]

<2> English Heritage, 1984-1987, Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England: Dorset (Monograph). SWX1383.

<2> English Heritage, 2005, Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England: Dorset (Revised) (Monograph). SDO17438.

<3> Country Life Vol (9 Dec 198Page(s) 744-50 (Article in serial). SWX1611.

<4> Gloag, M R, 1906, A Book of English Gardens, p47-56 (Monograph). SWX1612.

<5> Holme, C, 1907, Gardens of England in Southern and Western Counties, pl.2-3 (Monograph). SWX1613.

<6> Kelly, J, 1985, The Gardens at Abbotsbury (guidebook) (Monograph). SWX1614.

<7> Paterson, A, 1978, The Gardens of Britain 2 (1978), 21-22 (Monograph). SWX1615.

<8> Plumptre G, 1985, Collins Book of British Gardens, p258-260 (Monograph). SWX1616.

<9> National Record of the Historic Environment, 619226 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 2:41PM