Forde Abbey is a major tourist attraction in Somerset. The Abbey itself dates back to 1136 when it was founded as a Cistercian Abbey.

The gardens are extensive and if water gardening on a major scale is of interest to you then Forde Abbey wont disappoint. On the edges of the formal gardens is an arboretum which dates back to 1947.

A visit to the gardens and / or the house is not cheap though, an adult ticket to the gardens alone will set you back £8.50 and a combined ticket costs £10.50.

The plants nursery and the cafe are free however. The nursery grows many of its own plants and this keeps the prices commendably low. If you are looking for a specific plant however, this nursery may not be big enough to stock even some ordinary plants. It is however well worth a wander round if you are visiting the main gardens or house. Many of the plants sold can be seen in display beds near the nursery, always an advantage to see plants in their natural state before buying.

Our experience of the cafe / tearoom at Forde Abbey is mixed. The decor is excellent and unusual. The food however is not particularly good value and the quality is variable especially at peak times. On a positive note, some of the produce sold is grown in the nursery and locally.