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Rhododendrons
BOWOOD RHODODENDRON WALKS NOW OPEN.
During six weeks from late April to early June, according to the flowering season, a seperate woodland garden is open to visitors.
This is a spectacular attraction offering breathtaking vistas of colour and beauty covering over 60 acres. This woodland oasis of azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons is considered to be one of the most exciting gardens of its type in the country; it lies on a seam of greensand running from Poole in Dorset to The Wash on the East Coast.
The woodland garden surrounds the family mausoleum, one of Robert Adam’s finest Classical buildings, which was commissioned in 1761 by the widow of the 1st Earl of Shelburne, who purchased Bowood in 1754.
Recently, the Rhododendron Walks have been the subject of one of the most exciting and significant horticultural finds – over 30 original hardy hybrids which were thought to be extinct. The original plants date back to when the garden was first planted by the 3rd Marquis of Lansdowne in 1854. The present Lord Lansdowne’s great grandfather substantially expanded the garden on his return from being Viceroy in India. Most of the species originate from the Himalayas. Successive generations have continued to add to the collection.
If you are interested in keeping up to date with which species are flowering, please check the Garden Diary.
Combined tickets are now available at a discounted rate for the Rhododendron Walks and the House & Gardens. Visits can either be made on the same day or split over two visits.
Prices for 2013
Day Ticket
Adult £6.50
Senior Citizen £6.00
Children aged 12 and under FREE
Combined Ticket to Rhododendron Walks and House and Gardens
Adult £15.00
Senior Citizen £13.50
The Rhododendron Walks are located off the A342 between Derry Hill and Sandy Lane at Kennel’s Lodge. Please use postcode SN11 9PG for Sat Nav. For a map please click here
Well behaved dogs on leads are permitted in the Rhododendron Walks only.