There are very few places nowadays that you can go to and not have to pay entrance fees and with the increase of prices and if you have a family those prices can be quite a shock. That’s why when I was recommended this place, I was pleasantly surprised that it has free entry.
Kingston Maurward as most people will know it is a college set just off the main road on the way into Dorchester. It is in a beautiful rural setting and unbeknown to me also opens as an Animal Park & Gardens to the public, free of charge.
Walks
The grounds have over 35 acres of restored gardens and there is many a public foot path to explore. With a huge lake to walk around, woodland trails and all within such a peaceful setting is a beautiful place on a sunny day just to go and explore and listen to nature.
Animals & Play Park
There is an animal farm with the likes of chickens, donkeys, rabbits, goats and more. If you are lucky and go in the spring, you might get to spot some baby animals. The animals are kept in perfect location to the café, and you can sit and watch them while you eat at any of the picnic tables dotted around outside. There is also a play park opposite which is perfect to let the kids let off some steam!
Formal Gardens
The formal gardens come alive with the scents f flowers, the buzzing of bees and there is a beautiful grass area where we sat on a blanket and had a picnic.
Café & Shop
The Café has a wide range of sandwiches, ice-creams and drinks on offer and weather dependent there is space to sit inside or outside on the picnic benches. We didn’t eat here on our visit as we had already planned to take a picnic, so I can’t really comment on prices or exactly what was available, but from the menu it looked reasonable.
The shop if your standard gift shop with local produce, local makers, and cuddly animals.
This is one place I’d recommend to anyone either visiting Dorset or to people who live here already. It’s a perfect day out whether you have kids or not and it’s just one of those peaceful locations that you would normally drive past and not think about visiting.
Price: FREE Admission / Where: Kingston Maurward, Dorchester DT2 8PX / Phone: 01305 215000 / Website: www.kmc.ac.uk/gardens/
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