A West Dorset Landscape of exceptional beauty: Mapperton House and Gardens
Mapperton Fountain Court Staircase and Urn Photo © Alice Joyce
The West Dorset landscape of Mapperton is especially wondrous on a late-spring or summertime ramble, but you may choose to visit from March through October (always check website or phone for Open Hours).
Mapperton cherry blossoms © Alice Joyce
Mapperton Fountain Court Tiered Topiary © Alice Joyce
Considered to be one of Britain’s outstanding manor houses, Mapperton is distinguished by a warm, honeyed Ham stone facade; hearkening to the Elizabethan era, the architecture was altered to a grander scale in the late 1600s.
Mapperton Gardens, Lawn, Topiary © Alice Joyce
A highlight of the entrancing grounds: The formal Italianate layout constructed in the 1920s when Ethel Labouchere presided over the property, having created the garden in memoriam to her husband, Charles. Grand staircases punctuated by clipped topiary converge upon a terraced expanse, centered upon an octagonal water feature. Perennial plantings meld hellebores, pulmonarias, potentillas and salvias, emerging along with the ‘Kiftsgate’ rose and ‘Wyevale’ clematis.
Mapperton Pool Garden © Alice Joyce
Presently the family estate of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, Mapperton gives rise to this Fountain Court of exquisite beauty, surrounded by seemingly endless pathways into leafy surroundings: a woodland hillside allied with ornamental trees and shrubs; an allee of horse chestnuts; a neo-classical Orangery built in the 1960s; and a stunning pergola linking the Court to the Summer House.
Beyond the Fountain Court, picturesque rectangular pools shape the space. If you can prey yourself away, you’ll encounter a shrub garden adjacent to a secret garden. Ascend to arrive at the 17th century summer house.
Mapperton Rhodies in Bloom © Alice Joyce
Mapperton’s varied landscape satisfies a garden lover’s appetite for picturesque tableaux, as well as a desire for quiet strolls through both wild woodland and colorfully conceived plantings.
Mapperton Spring Bluebells © Alice Joyce
Dear Alice, I have so enjoyed this posting for it has revived very fond memories of a visit to Mapperton far too many years ago to count. That wonderful experience of standing on the lawn which effectively ‘floats’ above the Italianate gardens which are, in themselves, and in my view, a masterpiece. What particularly appealed was that the whole garden, slightly unkempt at the edges, had a very personal feel, something which is, sadly, so often lost in National Trust properties. Long may it continue in private hands. Is neighbouring Athelhampton also on your list of Dorset gardens? If not, then I can recommend it highly. Also Chilcombe, the garden of John Hubbard, the artist, although I am not at all certain if he is still there nor if he permits visitors these days.
lovely, I particularly like that Mappterton Pool Garden, such a tranquil looking place. Wouldn’t mind hanging out there for a few hours on an nice sunny day.
Alice,
thank you for your kind comments on my blog; your words always feel like they came from a kindred spirit. I’ve been reading your recent posts with great interest. I’ve visited many of the English gardens you mention myself; while in Sweden, we used to spend a week in England every year in early June. I suppose I got addicted to getting my Anglo-fix…
I look at everything here so neatly clipped, including that tall obelisk on the left by the reflecting pool, sharpened to a perfect point — imagine the army of clippers — and then think of my one little globe of box, being slowly eaten on the most obvious side by years of winterburn. Thanks, Alice, for these delightful few minutes of fantasy. Now back to thinking out of the Buxus.