Mapperton House, Garden & Wildlands
"The finest manor house in England."
Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
Facilities
-
Accessible loos
-
Accessible parking
-
Cafe / restaurant
-
Facilities for children
-
Free parking
-
Parkland / open spaces
-
Pet friendly
-
Picnic area
-
Shop
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
Mapperton House is the home of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. The family moved here from Hinchingbrooke House, near Huntingdon, in the 1950s, bringing with it the family collection.
Mapperton was voted ‘The Nations Finest Manor House’ by Country Life and was principal location of 2015 film ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’.
It is a glorious Jacobean manor overlooking a 15 acre Italianate garden, with orangery, topiary and borders, descending ponds and arboretum. The house has outstanding views of Dorset hills and woodlands.
The house and gardens welcome visitors and Mapperton also hosts weddings.
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
Mapperton Gardens are open from 30 March until 30 September 2025, Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm (11am to 4pm on Sundays). Last entry to the Gardens is at 4pm.
Mapperton House is open from 30 March until 30 September 2025, Sunday to Thursday. The House is open for guided tours only, starting 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Tour spaces are limited so we recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment. This includes free access to the American Heiress Exhibition.
The Coach House café is open from 30 March until 30 September 2025, Sunday to Thursday 10am to 4pm (11am to 4pm on Sundays).
Mapperton Wildlands are open from 30 March until 30 September 2025, Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm (11am to 4pm on Sundays). Last entry to the Wildlands is at 3pm.
Please note that Mapperton is closed on Fridays and Saturdays (except for special events).
Occasionally the House, Gardens and Coach House are closed for special events; please check the website and social media before your visit.
House & Gardens tickets
Adults: £20 (includes guided tour)
Children 5-15 yrs: £7
Children under 5 yrs: free
Gardens only tickets
Adults: £15
Children 5-15 yrs: £5
Children under 5 yrs: free
House, Gardens & Wildlands tickets
Adults: £28 (includes guided house tour)
Children 5-15 yrs: £12
Family (2 adults, up to 4 children): £75
Children under 5 yrs: free
Wildlands only tickets (Self-Guided Safari)
Adults: £12.95
Family (2 adults, up to 4 children): £39.95
Children under 16: £6.95
Children under 5: free
Mapperton welcomes many groups and coaches each year to visit our historic house and gardens, and to enjoy lunches and teas in the Coach House café. We can also offer virtual tours of our historic house by pre-booked appointment – perfect if you and your group are not able to travel to visit Mapperton in person at the moment.
Our knowledgeable and friendly house guides provide visitors with an informative and entertaining tour of the house and the Sandwich collection of pictures and furniture.
Special rates are available for groups of 10 people or more. House tours are generally an hour in duration and can be followed by a visit to the gardens.
Our group pricing for 2025 is as follows:
House (including guided tour and the Gilded Age American Heiress Exhibition) & Gardens
£18 per person
Gardens only
£13 per person
Guided tour of the gardens:
Additional £5 (must be pre-booked)
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
Getting here
Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
2 miles southeast of Beaminster, follow brown signs on B3163.
You can travel to Crewkerne train station, then take a taxi from Crewkerne to Mapperton.
Lord David Cecil, Some Dorset Country Houses, 1955
Throughout the house, the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries meet each other at every turn. Yet, – and this is notably characteristic of Mapperton – they do not quarrel. Diversity never means discord. Rather the different ages combine to create an unexpected and richer harmony.
Mapperton stars in new Netflix film
Mapperton House and Gardens has another starring role in a new film version of Daphne du Maurier’s classic Gothic novel “Rebecca” released on Netflix today (Wednesday 21 October).
Houses nearby
Minterne House & Gardens
Minterne Magna, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7AU
Forde Abbey
Chard, Somerset, TA20 4LU
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Buller's Way, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4LA
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £68 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
