Cranborne Manor Gardens

This beautiful and historic garden is set around a splendid ancient manor house.

Cranborne Manor was once owned by Robert Cecil, chief minister to Elizabeth I, and it now the home of his descendant, Viscount Cranborne.

The basic lines of the garden were laid out by Mounten Jennings in the 17th century.

Many of the original plants were supplied by John Tradescant, the renowned plant hunter and collector.

Tall yew hedges divide the garden into several 'outdoor rooms' containing parterres, topiary, old roses and herbaceous borders.

In the 20th century the garden was enlarged and now includes a white garden, a water garden and a wildlife garden.

There is also a mount garden from which visitors can look down on the design below.

The garden is at its best in the spring when there are spectacular displays of bulbs and the crab apple orchard is in blossom.

Beside Cranborne Manor Garden is an excellent garden centre which specializes in climbing, shrub and old-fashioned roses.