IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Forde Abbey, CHARD, TA20 4LT

A flower bed in the gardens. 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

This metal structure, supported by stone pillars, is above a small circular pond.

At the west end of the Long Pool, stands this late 20th century tempietto. 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

A very fine and intricate pattern in wrought iron forms the domed roof of the cupola at the end of the Long Pond.

Below the camera is a small circular pond, so this photo has been taken with great care not to let go! See Image for a wider view of the structure.

The photo is taken from Somerset into Dorset as the River Axe forms the border and flows through Forde Abbey grounds.

The gardens at Forde Abbey are privately owned.

The cottage is situated behind the Abbey near the Forge. The river Axe is just visible among the trees on the left of the building.

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

A close-up of one of the countless crocuses abounding the gardens at Forde Abbey at this time of year.