Visitor Information
Mapperton Gardens are open from 31 March until 30 September 2024, Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm (11am to 5pm on Sundays). Last entry to the Gardens is at 4pm.
Mapperton House is open from 31 March until 30 September 2024, Sunday to Thursday. The house is open for guided tours only, starting 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Tour spaces are limited so we recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment.
The Coach House Café will open from 31 March until 30 September 2024, Sunday to Thursday 10am to 4pm (11am to 4pm on Sundays).
Please note that Mapperton is closed on Fridays and Saturdays (except for special events).
Occasionally the House, Gardens and Coach House are closed for special events; please check the website and social media before your visit.
Pricing 2024
House & Gardens tickets
- Adults: £19.50 (includes guided tour)
- Children under 16: £7
- Children under 5: free
Gardens only tickets
- Adults: £14.50
- Children under 16: £5
- Children under 5: free
American Heiress Exhibition, House & Gardens Tickets (opening 5 May)
- Adults: £24.50 (includes guided tour)
- Children under 16: £12.50
- Children under 5: free
Tickets are available online for pre-booking.
Gilded Age American Heiress Exhibition
Step into the captivating world of Alberta Sturges Montagu, the 9th Countess of Sandwich and an American Heiress from the renowned era known as The Gilded Age, as we unveil a treasure trove of her personal correspondence at Mapperton House in West Dorset. The American Heiress Collection unveils over 10,000 previously unseen diaries, journals, and letters from 1888-1951, offering unparalleled insights into Alberta’s life and times. This collections stands as the largest unpublished private collection of its kind, offering a rare glimpse into the era. Join us for an unforgettable exhibition, illuminating the life and legacy of Alberta, the 9th Countess of Sandwich, at Mapperton House.
Mapperton Annual Membership
Pricing
- Single adult: £35
- Two adults: £65
- Family (two adults, up to four children): £75
- Children under 16: £15
Our 12-month Mapperton Annual Membership includes:
- Free access to the Gardens (during regular opening times)
- Free access to the Lost Village and Beaver Wild Play Areas (during regular opening times)
- Free parking (during regular opening times)
- Free access to selected events
- 10% discount in the Coach House Café
- 50% off entry to our Partner Garden, Iford Manor, BA15 2BA
Mapperton Annual Memberships are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Memberships can be purchased both online and onsite at our Coach House admissions desk.
Some events such as our popular children’s trails are included in your Garden Season Pass; however there are other ticketed events for which your membership will not be eligible, particularly charity events.
Upon purchase, you will be emailed a receipt and we will then post out a Mapperton membership card with your unique membership number. Please bring your membership card each time you visit.
If you are buying a Season Ticket as a present for someone else, please use the notes page to indicate the name(s), a contact email address and postal address of the recipient(s) and indicate whether we should send direct to you or or to the lucky person on whose behalf you are buying pass.
How to find us
Our address is:
Mapperton, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
Approach by road:
- from Beaminster via the B3163
- from Bridport via the A35 (lane from Melplash is unsuitable for coaches)
- from Crewkerne via the A303 and A3066
- from Dorchester via the A37 and A356
Travel time is 5 minutes from Beaminster, 10 minutes from Bridport, 15 minutes from Crewkerne, 30 minutes from Dorchester, and about 3 hours from London.
Mapperton Gardens are signed from Beaminster and from the A356 at Toller Down.
The nearest train stations are Crewkerne and Dorchester.
Postcode for satnav: DT8 3NR
Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas. Dogs are welcome on our wider estate walks and in the Coach House Cafe and car park as long as kept on leads. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the house or gardens.
Accessibility
We welcome visitors in wheelchairs and our accessible route is marked on the visitor map which is also available at the Coach House café. If you would like assistance please don’t hesitate to approach a member of staff once you have arrived at Mapperton.
The paths in the Gardens are gravel and some areas are very steep due to the natural topography. Approximately 50% of the garden is considered to be accessible by wheelchair and there is a recommended wheelchair route.
The Coach House café and the ground floor of the House are accessible to wheelchairs. However the House is not accessible in an electric wheelchair.
Accessible parking
Designated accessible parking is available in the first row of the main car park, which is 50 metres from the entrance to the House and Gardens.
Carers
Those who are able to show documentary identification of disability (i.e. blue / orange badge or similar) will be able to take a carer in free of charge.
Accessible lavatories
A lavatory with wheelchair access is located to the right of the Coach House.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas.
Historic Houses and RHS Members
RHS members are welcome at Mapperton with free entry to the gardens on a Tuesday.
Historic House members receive free garden entry. Use MAPP45 when buying Historic Houses Membership to receive £5 off.
Historic House members can join a house tour free of charge on the day subject to availability. However this cannot be booked in advance; please enquire upon arrival.
There are other ticketed events for which your membership will not be eligible, particularly charity events including our annual plant, food and Christmas fairs.
Visitor map
CLICK IMAGE ABOVE TO EXPAND
Great Garden Trail Dorset
Other important information
House tours
Mapperton is a lived-in family home, and we hope it can remain that way. During your tour please be careful while walking around, and do not touch or pick up any objects, as these can easily be damaged.
Large bags and rucksacks may not be taken on a house tour as they can accidentally damage fragile furniture and other works of art. These can be left safely in the entrance hall at the start of a tour.
Sharp-heeled shoes are not permitted in the House, as they can cause damage to flooring and carpets. Please wipe your shoes before entering the House to ensure any grit is removed which might scratch the wooden floors.
Children
Children are welcome at Mapperton. Children must be supervised at all times, and extra care should be taken close to the ponds and at the Play Areas. Please note that climbing on the banks breaks up the ground and is not allowed. The Play Areas are available for your children at your own risk.
Photos & video
You may take photos within the Gardens for your personal use. However we do not allow photos or video inside the House.
Picnics
Visitors are permitted to picnic in the picnic area adjacent to the car park but not within the Gardens. You may not use the seating outside the Coach House for picnics as this is for Café customers only.
Plants & animals
Please do not pick or eat anything from the Gardens, as many plants are fragile and may be poisonous. Please do not feed the ducks, chickens or tortoise, or allow children to chase them.