Why Join?
See something different on every visit
A membership means you can do just that – as often as you like – across the year. Bring a guest at half price every visit, save 10% in the Gift Shop, and get half-price entry at nine more partner gardens (see the participants below) across the South West. Most members find it pays for itself within two visits.
Unlimited access to the house and gardens during opening hours, for a full year from the date you join
One guest at half the price of admission, every time you visit
10% off in the Gift Shop (excludes plants and café)
Half-price entry at nine partner gardens across the South West
Prices
Membership prices
Valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Single
£43.50
1 adult
Double
£87.00
2 adults
Family
£100.00
2 adults + up to 4 children (5-15)
Child
£10.00
1 child (5-15) joining independently
Join at the Gift Shop, or call 01460 220231
Savings
Your membership pays for itself in two visits
A family of two adults and two children pays £50 for a single visit to the house and gardens. Membership costs £100, so after two visits, it's paid for itself. Every visit after that, for the rest of the year, is free.
The same holds across each tier, checked against 2026 admission prices. A Single membership (£43.50) pays for itself within two or three visits, set against the £19 adult ticket. A Double membership (£87) works the same way against two adult tickets at £38 combined. A Child membership (£10) pays for itself within two visits.
Prices shown are for House and Gardens admission. Members who mainly visit the gardens will take a little longer to break even.
| Prices for a family of four | |
| One visit, house and gardens | £50 |
| Two visits | £100 |
| Family membership, 12 months | £100 |
| Every visit after that | FREE |
Nine Gardens
Forde Abbey membership gets you 50% off partner gardens
Show your Forde Abbey card, and you'll get half-price entry at nine more gardens and historic houses across the South West.
Hestercombe Gardens, Taunton
Around 50 acres, remodelled by Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens, one of the great Edwardian gardens in the country.
The Bishop’s Palace, Wells
Inside the walls of Wells Cathedral, best known for its spring tulips and deep herbaceous borders.
Mapperton, Beaminster
Italianate terraced gardens at the seat of the Earl of Sandwich, and, like Forde, a filming location for Far from the Madding Crowd (2015).
Minterne House and Gardens, Dorchester
An eighteenth-century, Himalayan-style garden built for rhododendrons and magnolias.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Garden
Over 30 acres of subtropical planting on the Dorset coast, home to more than 6,000 plant species sheltered by a mild coastal microclimate.
Dartington Hall, Totnes
A cultural and learning centre in Devon. The grounds are free to explore; the reciprocal discount applies to ticketed areas and events.
Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet
A 3.5-acre RHS Partner Garden in Shepton Mallet, set beneath a historic viaduct, with a strong, contemporary design focus.
Sculpture by the Lakes
A 26-acre sculpture park and botanic garden near Dorchester, founded by sculptor Simon Gudgeon, set among lakes and contemporary artworks.
The Garden House, Dartmoor
A 12-acre RHS Partner Garden on the edge of Dartmoor, run by the Fortescue Garden Trust, known for naturalistic and seasonal planting.
Gifting
Forde Abbey membership as a gift
A Forde Abbey membership makes a thoughtful gift for a regular visitor or someone visiting for the first time – twelve months of visits to the house and gardens, whenever suits them. Gift memberships are available on the same terms as above.
Visit the Gift Shop, or call 01460 220231 to buy a membership
Any questions?
Membership FAQs
Still unsure? The membership office is on 01460 220231.
How do I join?
Visit the Gift Shop during your visit, or call the membership office on 01460 220231.
How do I renew?
You can renew your Forde Abbey membership in the Gift Shop or by calling 01460 220231 – ahead of your renewal date, which falls 12 months after you first joined.
How soon does a Forde Abbey membership pay for itself?
For most Single and Double members, that's two to three visits. For a family of four, two visits and membership has paid for itself.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. Every member can bring one guest per visit at half the standard admission price.
Does membership cover events?
Membership covers unlimited access to the house and gardens during normal opening hours. It doesn't cover ticketed events such as concerts or opera in the gardens, which are booked separately.
Can I use my membership at other gardens?
Yes. Forde membership gets you half-price entry at nine partner gardens across the South West, including Hestercombe, The Bishop's Palace and Mapperton. See the full list above.
What if I lose my card?
Let the membership office know on 01460 220231 – a replacement fee applies.
Is membership transferable?
No. Membership cards are issued in the name of the holder and are non-transferable.
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