Forde Abbey Nursery

Upcoming events at Forde Abbey Nursery

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Tulip Extravaganza

Nothing heralds the arrival of spring quite like tulips, with their dazzling colours, elegant forms, and delicately ruffled petals. At Forde Abbey, we plant thousands each year, and this season promises a spectacular burst of colour throughout the gardens. Carefully selected early, mid, and late-flowering varieties will ensure a continuous display from the start of April through to early May. Thoughtful combinations in warm, uplifting tones will greet visitors at every turn, while drifts of wild species tulips have been woven into other areas to sit beautifully alongside the wildflower meadows. Be sure not to miss our much-loved Tulip Swirl, a true highlight of the season. Every year, thousands of visitors travel from near and far to experience the display, and we look forward to welcoming you to enjoy it with us.

Sun 12 Apr10:30Forde Abbey Nursery

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BMW Car Club Show - Southern Concours

This summer Forde Abbey will be hosting the Southern BMW Show. A perfect day out for a group of BMW car enthusiasts gathering on our fresh green East Lawns for a BMW show. There shall be some sleek, polished cars gleaming in the sunlight with their iconic designs on full display. Enthusiasts can enter their own car as well as wander from car to car, exchanging stories about their prized models, admiring the meticulous details, and discussing the latest in BMW engineering. The atmosphere will be filled with the hum of friendly conversation, the occasional rev of an engine, and the sound of cameras snapping some beautiful cars on display. A wonderful combination of our award-winning gardens mixed with the excitement, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared passion for these finely crafted machines. Our brand-new Abbot’s Table café will be open all day serving brunch, lunch, bakes and delicious bites, while families and friends can relax on the lawns, enjoying the display of these wonderful cars and celebrating their love for BMWs.

Sun 10 May10:30Forde Abbey Nursery

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FORDE ABBEY CONCERT - Trio Bohémo of Prague

The Trio Bohémo has won prizes at international chamber music competitions in Austria, Germany, London, Australia and Italy. Their debut recording of Smetana and Schubert has been described by BBC Music Magazine as ‘extraordinary’ and by The Guardian as ‘utterly convincing’. Recent performances have included the Vienna Musikverein, Wigmore Hall and the Aldeburgh Festival, and debut tours of America and Australia. They will play Beethoven Piano Trio Op.1, No.3, Martinu Trio No.2, Schubert Notturno and Smetana Trio in G.

Thu 21 May19:30Forde Abbey Nursery

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FORDE ABBEY CONCERT - The Soldier’s Tale

The pianist Julian Milford is joined by Spanish clarinet soloist Maximiliano Martin and Marcus Barcham-Stevens, leader of the Britten Sinfonia, for a programme which will feature the Suite from Stravinsky’s 1918 Soldier’s Tale, based on Russian folk tales about a soldier’s battle with the devil. They will also perform Schumann’s Fantasiestucke for clarinet and piano and Brahms’ Violin Sonata in G. The programme concludes with the brilliant Bartok Contrasts, written for BennyGoodman, with its fiery gypsy-inspired final movement.

Thu 11 Jun19:30Forde Abbey Nursery

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Forde Abbey 10K and Junior Race 2026

Set in the heart of West Dorset, the Forde Abbey 10k Cross Country race rolls through woodlands, meadows and rivers on the stunning Forde Abbey Estate. The 10km route includes mud, rocky tracks, hills, big views, more hills and two river crossings near to the end, after some more hills. Few race routes rival this for spectacular rural scenery. With post race catering and races for the whole family, what better way is there to spend a summer evening? 10k - Online entries only, strictly no on the day entries. Collect race numbers from HQ on the day. Age 15+. Free Junior 1500m - Online and on the day entries available. Pre entry online will significantly reduce your registration time on the day. Open to primary age children with no minimum age restriction, parents are welcome to accompany the children. Medals for all participants, prizes for male and female race winners and category winners. Registration opens at 5:30, with a 6:15 start for the junior race and 7pm for the 10k. The route is entirely off road technical terrain, therefore no dogs, buggies or audio equipment are permitted. The race is unfortunately not suitable for visually impaired runners. Entries are strictly non-refundable but can be transferred to a new runner through the race nation website.

Wed 24 Jun19:30Forde Abbey Nursery

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Wild Arts Opera - The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro After the success of their previous performances Wild Arts return in 2026 with The Marriage of Figaro. The performances will take place in the beautiful Great Hall in the main house, with room for only 175 audience members. The operas will be fully staged, in costume and sung in English by a cast of exceptional singers, with a chamber orchestra of top musicians, conducted by Wild Arts' Artistic Director Orlando Jopling. You are welcome to arrive from 5pm to set up your picnic in the gardens, and bring food, drink, rugs, chairs, tables, friends, and candelabras. The performance will start at 6pm, with a 90-minute picnic interval at approximately 7:15pm before Act II down will be at approximately 10pm. Please book early - last year's opera sold out.

Wed 22 Jul19:15Forde Abbey Nursery

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Folksy Theatre - A Midsummer Night's Dream

Forde Abbey are delighted to welcome back Folksy Theatre performing A Midsummer Night's Dream on our South Lawn this summer. Love, laughter, and a little bit of lunacy — enter a world where fairies meddle, lovers quarrel, and magic runs wild! This summer, join us for a breathtaking open-air performance of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the heart of an enchanted forest, four young lovers flee the constraints of society and stumble into a realm ruled by mischievous fairies, feuding royalty, and a troupe of would-be actors with more enthusiasm than talent. What follows is a wild night of mistaken identities, magical transformations, and love gone deliciously wrong — enjoy Shakespeare’s dazzling verse and Folksy’s twist of live music, audience interaction and frantic multi-rolling! Bring your own picnics and deckchairs and join the fun. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM APR 1st Filled with Folksy’s signature live music, audience interaction, and delightful silliness, this adaptation promises to have you laughing and singing along! Don’t miss out on this unforgettable summer adventure!

Tue 28 Jul19:00Forde Abbey Nursery

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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Get ready for a magical summer evening at Forde Abbey & Gardens! For the very first time, we are thrilled to welcome THIS IS MY THEATRE to our stunning South Lawn for an unforgettable open-air performance of Alice in Wonderland. Step down the rabbit hole as My Theatre whisks you away on a brilliantly original adaptation of this much-loved, fantastical adventure. Step through the looking glass and into a world where nothing is quite as it seems… Join Alice as she tumbles down the rabbit hole and encounters a whirlwind of curious characters. The grinning Cheshire Cat, the frantic White Rabbit, the eccentric Mad Hatter, and the fearsome Queen of Hearts. This timeless tale of imagination, riddles, and wonder comes to life on stage in a dazzling production full of humour, music, and a touch of madness. Perfect for dreamers of all ages, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland invites you to lose yourself in the magic of one of literature’s most beloved journeys! Pack your picnic, unfold your deck chairs, and settle onto the lawn as the evening sun sets, the perfect backdrop for live theatre in the great outdoors. Weird, wacky and wonderfully entertaining… it’s a spectacular show to not miss this summer!

Fri 7 Aug18:00Forde Abbey Nursery

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Autumn Plant & Gardening Fair

Packed with inspiration and ideas for the late summer planting we will be hosting Forde Abbey’s Plant and Gardening Fair on Saturday 5th September. We have some fantastic specialist nurseries from the Southwest selling plants and excellent craftsmen with brilliant and beautiful gardening sundries. Many of our plant stalls are back by popular demand, but there will also be some new ones this year. The growers are happy to chat about their plants and are happy to offer their expertise and share their enthusiasm, so do come along to see what you can add to your own garden for a splash of colour this spring – or just admire the beautiful plants on show! The Plant Fair takes place at the beginning of our popular Dahlia display, a lovely time to see the garden transforming into its autumn colours and bursting herbaceous borders. The Coffee Shop will be open throughout the day serving hot drinks, light bites and homemade cakes. Our award winning Gift Shop with some fantastic souvenirs will also be open, Eeles Pottery will be selling and showcasing some beautiful pottery too. Our in house Plant Nursery is also open from 10.00am – 3.00pm and it is fully stocked with Dahlias and a diverse range of herbaceous perennials, many rare and unusual.

Sat 5 Sept10:00Forde Abbey Nursery

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FORDE ABBEY CONCERT - Schubert Ensemble Next Generation

Former members of the Schubert Ensemble and their offspring return for another concert blending the energy of youth with the experience of mature professionals. They are joined again by brilliant young cello soloist Hugo Svedberg for a chamber performance of Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D. They will also perform Bach’s 6th Brandenburg Concerto and conclude with the astonishing, late Romantic tour-de-force that is the string Octet by Romanian composer Georges Enescu, written when he was just 19.

Thu 10 Sept19:30Forde Abbey Nursery

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Biofluorescent Night Walks

Join us for a journey through a hidden world of glowing life that surrounds us all, yet very few of us have ever seen. Welcome to the world of biofluorescence, one of nature’s best-kept secrets. Biofluorescence is the absorption of light at one wavelength followed by its reemission at a different wavelength. Shine the right type of UV light on the world, and it glows back at you in a vibrant display of colour. With UV torches provided, we will venture into the darkness to witness a stunning display of biofluorescent organisms in their natural habitat. Biofluorescence turns the world of colour upside down; green leaves suddenly become a vivid red, spiders bright blue, lichen an intense orange and another, glowing side of the natural world is revealed. Over the past few years, our journey exploring biofluorescence has spanned five continents and included conversations with leading researchers, helping us piece together the broader story of this glowing natural world. A story that we can’t wait to share with you. Don’t miss this opportunity to delve into the enchanting world of biofluorescence and uncover the wonders that await in the darkness. Join us for an unforgettable experience that will open your eyes to the breathtaking beauty of nature’s hidden secrets. Book your spot now and get ready for an awe-inspiring adventure! This guided walk is suitable for anyone aged 8 years and above, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Mon 19 Oct18:30Forde Abbey Nursery

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