Events at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens - 2019

Be one of the first to know what films will be shown at the Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens Open Air Cinema by subscribing to our occasional email newsletters:

Mid February – end of April Magnolia, Camellia and Spring Colour No extra charge for Season Ticket holders.

Multi terrain running through Abbotsbury

Join Flying Fox Running in Abbotsbury for an adventure set on the beautiful Dorset Coast. The first race of the evening we take place in the daylight before sunset and will be the flatter of the races. While the latter races will take in the sunset and visit St Catherine’s Chapel, and the hill it sits on.

The race courses will take in St Catherine’s Chapel, the Swannery, the Chesil Beach and starts and finishes in the stunning Subtropical Gardens. Which also acts as our race HQ.

Saturday 20th April 2019, 10am – 5pm

Come and celebrate Easter with us at the First Dorset Food Fair of the Year

Discover over 25 stands showcasing distinctively Dorset’s produce while exploring the stunning Spring colour of the Subtropical Gardens.

Alongside the food stalls there will be cooking demonstrations, including a demo from Russell Brown, Nick Holt and a fun crab cracking demo

Entry £5 per adult, under 16s Free
Includes entry to the Subtropical Gardens (adult normally £12.50)

Entry is £5 per adult in advance, £6 on the door.

Local willow sculptor Jo Sadler is hosting two willow workshops at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens in 2019. In this workshop, you can learn how to create your own willow hare. Price to be confirmed, with all materials and tuition included, so just book and come along! You can book by contacting Jo direct at jojo.sadler@hotmail.co.uk, or find out more on the workshop page of her website.

Local willow sculptor Jo Sadler is hosting two willow workshops at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens in 2019. In this workshop, you can learn how to create your own willow deer. Price to be confirmed, with all materials and tuition included, so just book and come along! You can book by contacting Jo direct at jojo.sadler@hotmail.co.uk, or find out more on the workshop page of her website.

We will again be playing host to a Specialist Plant Finder’s Fair, organised by Plant Heritage Dorset Group.

Unusual, difficult-to-find and some exotic plants available from more than 20 specialist nurseries & growers, including National Collection Holders and RHS Chelsea Gold Medal Winners.

Free car parking. Excellent refreshment & dining facilities. The Plant Fair is open from 10am until 3pm. Admission is just £7 and includes access to the attractive gardens. The Gardens remain open until 5pm, so visitors can have the time to explore them after the Plant Fair has finished.

All performances 7.30pm – gates open 6.30pm for your picnics. Bring a chair/blanket

A dramatic outdoor production based on the well loved novel that prompted Thomas Hardy to become a full time writer. With over 50 actors and musicians, the ever popular New Hardy Players bring to life the colourful local characters of Weatherbury. The story unfolds around Warren’s Malthouse, the Corn Exchange and Weatherbury Farm itself reflecting the full panoply of Wessex folk.

This new script tells the story of Bathsheba Everdene, a head strong young woman and her entwining relationships with the loyal shepherd Gabriel Oak, the charismatic but irresponsible Sergeant Troy and with the prosperous but disturbed Farmer Boldwood.

The New Hardy Players’ performances raise funds for local charities each year.

6th July 2019

Show of Hands & Friends Featuring line up to be announced. Gardens open from 10am, entry to the concert area from 1.30pm, Music starts from 3pm, Concert finishes 9.00pm.

Your “Show of Hands” ticket gives you access to the Gardens and also the Swannery & Children’s Farm for the whole weekend. Please show your concert wrist band.

Shakespeare in the Garden!

“The course of true love never did run smooth”, but the sparring antics of Shakespeare’s erstwhile lovers, Beatrice and Benedick, provide great hilarity for the other members of the household who plot to reunite them. Against this background, another romance is almost derailed by the machinations of a jealous Duke until the local constabulary bumble upon his plans. This delicious comedy, popular for over 400 years, will be performed for you by The Festival Players acclaimed all-male Company, in a crystal clear, energetic, colourful production, enhanced by original songs composed by Johnny Coppin. Don’t miss this Summer treat; fun for all the family. Tickets available soon.

A full length one-man play sponsored by Thompson & Morgan seeds, produced by Kick In The Head.

“Downton Abbey with gardening tips” – The Guardian

“Not to be missed” – BBC Radio Kent

“Absolutely idyllic” – BBC Radio York

“Wow….superb!” – BBC Radio Sussex

“A wonderful production… the end of the piece is one of the most moving I have seen in a long time” – Surrey Advertiser

Have an adventure and get closer to nature in our beautiful grounds with The Great Big Tree Climbing Company. They are the largest provide of recreational tree climbing in the country and offer a safe and fun way to enjoy our trees from a new perspective. Children from 6 years old can take part and it is a great family activity. Tree climbing tests balance co-ordination and children and adults free a huge sense of achievement when they have completed a climb. You will have an amazing view from a bird’s eye perspective, Have a great climb with us!

Friday 18th October – Charity Preview evening in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust

Special guest to be confirmed

Saturday 19th October – Sunday 3rd November

Come and see the Gardens in a different light.  A large section of the gardens will be lit with a wonderful array of colour. Book online and save 20% off standard admission charges. A standard garden ticket allows access during the day and also covers the Enchanted Illuminations event if visited on the same day. Normal admission applies, except to the 4 Halloween family fright nights when a different charge applies. No extra charge for Season Ticket holders. The Restaurant will be open from 10am to 8pm, Kitchen from 10am to 3pm and 3.30pm to 7.30pm throughout the event.

For ticket information Tel: 01305 871130 or 871387

For restaurant information Tel: 01305 871732

Thursday 31st October – Saturday 2nd November, dusk until 8:30pm

Thursday 31st October – Saturday 2nd November, dusk until 8:30pm. Free face painting (scary faces), fancy dress encouraged. Come and meet the Bugs and stay for the Bug show. And do not miss scary wounds, Surgery. Why not join the fun by dressing up and prepare yourself to be both ‘tricked and treated!’

TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR OR BOOK NOW AND SAVE 20% (IF BOOKED IN ADVANCE).

No extra charge for Season Ticket holders. The Restaurant will be open from 10am to 8pm, Kitchen from 10am to 3pm and 3.30pm to 7.30pm throughout the event.

For ticket information Tel: 01305 871130 or 871387

For restaurant information Tel: 01305 871732.

PLEASE NOTE A DIFFERENT CHARGE APPLIES

12 – 2:30pm, Thursdays to Sundays

For more information, please call 01305 871732

View a PDF version of this map (~400KB)

Three superb attractions (The Swannery, Subtropical Gardens and Children’s Farm) are all located within a mile of each other around the village. Abbotsbury is full of quirky shops, galleries, tearooms and interesting nooks to explore. Afterwards pop down to the Beach Café for a pot of tea. To find out more about Abbotsbury, visit the Abbotsbury Village website.