Forde Abbey and Gardens [19]

Image: © Michael Dibb Taken: 25 Jun 2023

This statue stands at the west end of the grass walk. Forde Abbey and Gardens is situated in Dorset, on the south bank of the River Axe, some 5½ miles northeast of Axminster and about 3 miles southeast of Chard. A Cistercian Abbey was founded in 1136, and after dissolution in 1539, it was partly converted into a Country House. Parts of the monastic buildings of the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th centuries survive with alterations, extensions and restorations in the 17th, 19th and 20th centuries. The house is constructed of rubble stone with Ham stone ashlar and dressings under roofs of slate and lead. The house is listed, grade I, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1153362 Part of the gardens, in which the abbey church and northern cloister survive as buried structures, are a Scheduled Ancient Monument with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1002347 The site has some 15 acres of formal gardens and pleasure grounds, and about 65 acres of parkland. The grounds are on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, grade II*, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1000717

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