The Undercroft Tearoom at Forde Abbey in West Dorset

Nice visit here with my friend, lots of space to wander around, some stunning gardens and very well set out, fascinating building as well, lovely to step back in time. The food was really lovely in the coffee shop, I had the leek and potato soup which tasted homemade (but wasn’t advertised as such)

Amazing!! If you love English gardens this is a beautiful place. You will need 2 hrs approx to visit the interior and gardens.

The gardens are magnificent and a pleasure to spend time in, so I don't mind paying £12.50 towards their upkeep. Make that £15 if you visit the house, which I found a bit gloomy and the information sheets few and far between. There was also an exhibition of wedding dresses which I found detracted from the overall pleasure, they were everywhere and would I feel have been better relegated to one large room.Finally to the cafe. We all know the cost of living has rocketed but £7.50 for a sandwich with some lettuce and tomato garnish! and finally, not to use real butter, spoiled the pleasure of otherwise good ingredients. It was pretty gloomy there as well, a few well placed lights would have made the whole experience much pleasanter, and with a garden overflowing with flowers, some on the tables would have made all the difference.

Fantastic gardens and historic house first established in 1188 and occupied ever since. A must see for anyone who loves gardens. A wonderful experience. 💞

House shut today. Same price still charged to enter gardens !!! No reduction. Gardens beautiful even in rain.Cafe ok.Plant sale great....

Fantastic place to visit, both the house and the gardens. These gardens are probably the best we have visited, well worth a visit.

Peaceful, beautiful and very special. Worth going back again and again and again. A true gem of Dorset (please don't tell everyone, its so quiet and peaceful)

Lovely friendly staff. Delightful gardens to walk dog around on lead. The main house wasn't open but enjoyed the coffee room and Chapel.

We love these gardens so much we bought a season ticket. So much to see and forever changing with the seasons. There is a cafe but take a picnic and enjoy it sitting by the lake. The house has an interesting history and well worth a visit. But nothing compares with walking around those beautiful gardens. Closed from November until March but open for Snowdrop weekend in February.

Forde Abbey is a gorgeous, landscaped Abbey estate near Chard in Somerset. We visited in early September 2021 and were glad both Abbey and grounds were open (we did an advance booked online to make sure we could get house entry)The abbey is set in a luscious estate of landscaped grounds, lakes and arboretum. The gardens were gorgeous and well maintained with lovely sprays of colour from early Autumn flowers. Lovely walks in and around the grounds and very peaceful.The Abbey itself was very impressive, a mixture of early monastic and late, private architecture with little changed since the 19th century. Photos not allowed unfortunately but the interior was impressive and absorbing.With a nice courtyard cafe (indoor seating as well) and a lovely sunny day, this was a perfect visit. The Abbey proclaims itself a 'Jewel of the South West' and it certainly doesn't disappoint.