Beautiful gardens, animals, woodland walks and a free Dorset day out.
There are very few places these days where you can turn up and explore without paying an entrance fee. With prices constantly creeping up, and especially if you’re taking the whole family out for the day, the cost of a day out can quickly become quite a shock.
So, when I was recommended Kingston Maurward, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that you can visit the gardens and animal park completely free of charge.
Most people around Dorset will probably know Kingston Maurward as the college just off the main road as you head into Dorchester. What I didn’t realise was that behind the college is this beautiful rural setting, with gardens, walking routes, animals and plenty of space to simply wander around and enjoy the outdoors.
And the fact you don’t have to pay to get in makes it even better.
Walks Around Kingston Maurward
The grounds cover more than 35 acres of restored gardens, with plenty of footpaths to explore. There’s a huge lake to walk around, woodland trails and lots of peaceful little spots where you can stop and take everything in.
It’s the sort of place where you can forget you’re only a short drive from Dorchester. On a sunny day, it’s lovely to wander around at your own pace, listen to the birds and enjoy a bit of fresh air without having to plan an entire itinerary.
You could easily spend a couple of hours walking around the grounds or bring a picnic and make more of a day of it.
Animals and the Play Park
As the name suggests, there’s also an animal area where you can see chickens, donkeys, rabbits, goats and more. If you visit during spring, you might even be lucky enough to spot some baby animals, which is always going to make a visit that little bit more exciting.
The animals are conveniently located close to the café, with picnic tables nearby, so you can sit down and watch them while you have something to eat. It’s a particularly good setup if you’re visiting with children, as there’s also a play park opposite where they can burn off some energy.
And let’s be honest, anything that allows the adults to sit down for five minutes while the kids run around gets my vote!
The Formal Gardens
The formal gardens were one of my favourite areas to wander around. When everything is in bloom, you’ve got the scent of flowers, bees buzzing around and plenty of beautiful planting to enjoy.
We found a lovely grassy area where we could put down a blanket and have our picnic, which made the whole visit feel even more relaxed. No rushing around, no timetable to stick to, just good food, fresh air and a beautiful Dorset setting.
Café and Shop
If you don’t fancy bringing your own picnic, there’s also a café offering a selection of sandwiches, ice creams and drinks. There’s indoor seating as well as picnic benches outside when the weather allows.
We had already planned to bring a picnic on our visit, so I didn’t eat at the café and therefore can’t comment on the prices or the full menu. From what I saw, though, there appeared to be a good selection and the prices looked reasonable.
There’s also a shop selling local produce, items from local makers and plenty of cuddly animals, so naturally there’s the possibility of leaving with something you didn’t know you needed!
Would I Recommend Kingston Maurward?
Absolutely. Whether you’re looking for a free day out in Dorset, somewhere to take the kids, somewhere peaceful for a walk or simply a new place to explore, Kingston Maurward is well worth knowing about.
It’s one of those places you could easily drive past without realising what’s tucked away behind it. I love discovering places like that, especially when they offer so much without charging an entrance fee.
So, if you’re visiting Dorset or you already live here and fancy exploring somewhere new, put Kingston Maurward on your list. And don’t forget the picnic blanket!
Price: FREE Admission / Where: Kingston Maurward, Dorchester DT2 8PX / Phone: 01305 215000 / Website: www.kmc.ac.uk/gardens/
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