Events at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens - 2020
Spring is here
Mid February – end of April Magnolia, Camellia and Spring Colour No extra charge for Season Ticket holders.
Moon-gazing hare willow workshop with Jo Sadler
Monday 6th April, 10am – 4.30pm
Jo Sadler will be running four willow workshops this year at Abbotsbury. In this workshop, you will create a beautiful moon-gazing hare. All materials are supplied, just bring your own lunch or purchase from the restaurant. Places are £75 per person and can be booked by contacting Jo.
Food Fair in association with Dorset Food & Drink
Saturday 11th April 2020, 10am – 4pm
Working together with Dorset Food & Drink, we are excited to be running Abbotsbury Food Fair again this year!
Discover over 30 stalls showcasing distinctively Dorset produce while exploring the stunning Spring colours of the gardens.
There will be cookery demonstrations and the chance to try and buy cheeses, baked goods, charcuterie, meat, coffee, cider, spirits, beer, wine and more!
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.
Eventide Races at Abbotsbury
Saturday 18th April 2020, afternoon and evening races
We’ve teamed up with Flying Fox Running again to offer you an expanded programme of running races, with different lengths throughout the day. There will be 5K and 7K races starting late afternoon, then a 6.5K and 13K fun run in the evening.
For more details and to register, please visit the Flying Fox Running website:
Willow deer workshop with Jo Sadler
Monday 20th April, 10am – 4.30pm
Jo Sadler will be running four willow workshops this year at Abbotsbury. In this workshop, you will create a wonderful willow deer. All materials are supplied, just bring your own lunch or purchase from the restaurant. Places are £75 per person and can be booked by contacting Jo.
Moon-gazing hare willow workshop with Jo Sadler
Monday 11th May, 10am – 4.30pm
Jo Sadler will be running four willow workshops this year at Abbotsbury. In this workshop, you will create a beautiful moon-gazing hare. All materials are supplied, just bring your own lunch or purchase from the restaurant. Places are £75 per person and can be booked by contacting Jo.
Willow deer workshop with Jo Sadler
Monday 1st June, 10am – 4.30pm
Jo Sadler will be running four willow workshops this year at Abbotsbury. In this workshop, you will create a wonderful willow deer. All materials are supplied, just bring your own lunch or purchase from the restaurant. Places are £75 per person and can be booked by contacting Jo.
Great Dorset Plant Fair and Father's Day Special - in association with Plant Heritage
Sunday 21st June 2020
We will again be hosting this Specialist Plant Finder’s Fair, organised by Plant Heritage Dorset Group. It’s a Father’s Day Special!
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.
Range of Plants/Stalls:
Alpines, succulents, rockery plants, herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, carnivorous plants, prairie plants, exotic and subtropical plants, ferns and plants for shade, tall perennials & peonies, plants for bees & butterflies, annuals & basket plants, southern hemisphere plants.
Shrubs, David Austin Roses, clematis & other climbers, specimen plants, handcrafted willow products.
Show of Hands
Saturday 4th July 2020
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. Prices held for 2020.
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.
Tree Climbing at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Thursday 23rd July & Sunday 9th August 2020
Back by popular demand, the Big Tree Climbing Company returns to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens. Tickets are available to book now on their website.
Alice in Wonderland
Saturday 2nd August 2020
Boxtree Productions presents their fantastic adaptation of the evergreen classic Alice in Wonderland. Follow us down the rabbit hole into a strange world of caterpillars, cards and tea parties. Join Alice as she tries to navigate this curious world of curiouser creatures but don’t lose your head! We promise you a wonderful experience of original toe-tapping songs, colourful characters, costumes and hilarious comedy.
With inventive staging, original songs and magical storytelling we invite audiences to enjoy Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of Alice In Wonderland, in Boxtree Production’s unique and energetic way!
This performance is open air so please bring a picnic and blanket or low-backed chair and dress for the great British weather. Cancellation only in the event of dangerous conditions.
Three Men in a Boat - play with Giles Shenton
Sunday 16th August 2020
Following the continuing success of Old Herbaceous, Kick In The Head productions are back with a rip roaring barrel of fun, Three Men in a Boat, with Giles Shenton (Old Herbaceous himself!) playing the part of Jerome K Jerome.
Join Jerome as he recounts the hilarious story of his boating holiday along the magnificent River Thames with his two companions and Montmorency the dog. Come and join in the fun as Giles Shenton expertly takes the helm and pilots you through the ridiculous tale of men behaving badly while messing about in boats!
The Enchanted Illuminations
Friday 16th October – Charity Preview evening in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust
Saturday 17th October – Sunday 1st 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 3 Halloween family fun nights (see below) when a different charge applies. Last admission 7.30pm. 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
Floodlit Evening Walks Halloween Family Fun Nights
Thursday 29th – Saturday 31st October, dusk until 8:30pm, last entry 7.30pm
Thursday 31st October – Saturday 2nd November, dusk until 8:30pm, last entry 7.30pm. Come along in fancy dress to claim your sweets from the Witches and enjoy all the Halloween fun.
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
Open Air Cinema - August Bank Holiday
28th – 30th August 2020
Films and ticket prices to be confirmed. Please check back on this website regularly.
Christmas Lunches - 12th November to 20th December, 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.