Forde Abbey is a magnificent historic house and garden created from a 900-year-old Cistercian monastery, featuring stunning architecture, world-class gardens, and fascinating monastic history. The house occupies a beautifully preserved medieval abbey with 12th-century chapter house, cloisters, and refectory alongside elegant 17th-century additions. The interior showcases the Mortlake Tapestries – massive Renaissance masterpieces designed by Raphael – plus fine furniture, family portraits, and historical artifacts. The 30-acre gardens rank among England’s finest, with spectacular herbaceous borders, bog garden featuring giant gunnera, rock garden, arboretum, kitchen garden, and lakes. Water features include cascades, fountains, and the centenary fountain shooting 160 feet high. Spring brings spectacular displays of bulbs and magnolias, summer sees the borders at their peak, and autumn offers rich foliage colors. The gardens demonstrate horticultural excellence and design sophistication. The combination of monastic ruins, elegant house, and world-class gardens creates exceptional visitor experience. Peacocks roam freely.
Photo by Stephen McKay from Geograph, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Forde Abbey & Gardens
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Gallery images from Geograph Britain and Ireland, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Hover over images to see photographer credits.
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