Minterne Gardens ~ Dorset

Minterne Magna, between Sherborne and Cerne Abbas ~ Minterne House has been home to the Churchill and Digby families since 1620. Not open to the public. The original house had dry rot and was rebuilt in 1902.

Minterne House has been home to the Churchill and Digby families since 1620. Not open to the public. The original house had dry rot and was rebuilt in 1902.

Minterne Magna ~ Minterne House has been home to the Churchill and Digby families since 1620. The original house had dry rot and was rebuilt in 1902. House not open to the public. Lord and Lady Digby live in the "West Wing" and Henry & Sophie Digby and 3 children run the Estate and live in the main house. Tea on the Terrace.

Landscaped in the manner of Capability Brown the gardens are laid out in a horseshoe below Minterne House. The trail is around a mile in length with benches at regular intervals so you can sit and enjoy the peace and tranquility. Minterne hosts a world renowned and completely unique collection of Himalayan Rhododendrons and Azaleas, with Spring bulbs, Cherries, Maples and many fine and rare trees. The gardens boast many other picturesque features with a chain of small lakes, waterfalls and streams.

Minterne Gardens ~ An addition of an authentic Himalayan Hut. Traditionally these huts were built to provide mountain climbers and trekkers with a safe, comfortable and inviting lodging in which to rest. The Head Gardener, Mark Bobin and Maintenance Manager, Mark Mumford constructed the Himalayan Hut from materials sourced entirely from Minterne Garden. Gathering materials close to the area is in keeping with a typical hut construction – in the Himalayas most sites are on steep mountains. The hut is constructed from stones, rocks & fossils to complete 3 walls; felled Larch from the garden was used for the frame, opening onto a small veranda and a tin roof top it off. A range of rock-loving plants will be introduced into natural crevices in the outer walls including campanula with its blue and rose tints and ferns, all of which will add to the authenticity of the building and provide a rainbow feast for the eyes.

Minterne Gardens ~ An addition of an authentic Himalayan Hut. Traditionally these huts were built to provide mountain climbers and trekkers with a safe, comfortable and inviting lodging in which to rest and refuel. The Head Gardener, Mark Bobin and Maintenance Manager, Mark Mumford constructed the Himalayan Hut from materials sourced entirely from Minterne Garden. Gathering materials close to the area is in keeping with a typical hut construction – in the Himalayas most sites are on steep mountains. The hut is constructed from stones, rocks & fossils to complete 3 walls; felled Larch from the garden was used for the frame, opening onto a small veranda and a tin roof top it off. A range of rock-loving plants will be introduced into natural crevices in the outer walls including campanula with its blue and rose tints and ferns, all of which will add to the authenticity of the building and provide a rainbow feast for the eyes.