Non-members pay at the car park.
Kingston Lacy was built in the 1660s for Sir Ralph Bankes after the family's Corfe Castle was slighted in the Civil War, and in the 1830s William John Bankes had Charles Barry remake it as a Venetian palace, filling it with paintings by Rubens, Titian and Van Dyck, the Spanish Room, and Egyptian antiquities including the Philae obelisk on the south lawn. The garden runs from a fernery and parterre through Japanese-inspired planting to a kitchen garden under restoration, with two play areas along the way; parkland grazed by Red Devon cattle and Portland sheep leads to woodland trails, a cycle track and, further out, Badbury Rings hillfort. Reviewers love the room guides, the servants' quarters with their bells, and the Japanese and fern gardens. Tips from visitors: house entry is by timed ticket and not guaranteed, so ask at reception as soon as you arrive; dogs on leads may use the parkland, woods and Stables courtyard but not the formal garden; and Badbury Rings has its own car park.
Monday 26 October: Sections of the Woodland Trail are closed following storm damage. House, garden, 1.5mile route of woodland, café and shop open. Pikachu Art Adventure trail open. Please note: only the state rooms will be open in the house.
House
Later dates are in the calendar.
Prices, non-members
if capacity
On very busy days, visits to the house may be limited and entry is not guaranteed. Please check at reception when you arrive whether a timed ticket system is in operation on that day. If you are visiting Badbury Rings on the wider estate, please note that there is a car parking charge for non members of £1.60 for one hour, £3.20 for up to four hours or £6.40 for the day. Carers/ Companions The Essential Companion card makes it simple to bring one or two carers or companions with you, free of charge. Show the card when you arrive, and your carer(s) or companion(s) won't need to pay an entry fee. It's in your name so you can bring whoever you like, but even if you don't have an Essential Companion card, you can still bring carers or companions free - the card just makes it quicker and simpler for you. For details on how to order your card visit our website Access for everyone | National Trust
The house closes at 4pm, with last entry at 3pm. The Kitchen Garden kiosk may close in bad weather.
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Dog friendly
2.9 miles (4.64km), easy, 20 minutes to 2 hours, on smooth gravel tracks and suitable for people using wheelchairs. Starts from the Kingston Lacy car park, Wimborne BH21 4EA. It incorporates the Tramway Trail, a multi-use trail shared with cyclists, so walkers are asked to share the paths.
Dog friendly
3.8 miles (6.08km), moderate, about 2 hours, on undulating ground that is rough in parts. Starts from the B3082 near Wimborne, Dorset BH21 4DZ, at the Heron Drove car park roughly 5.5 miles from Blandford. Buses from Bournemouth and Poole reach Wimborne Square, with service 88 running to the Kingston Lacy car park on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
