Explore the Gardens

The Walled Garden

Hidden Secrets To Discover

Considered by many to be the highlight of a visit to Goodnestone Park, the walled garden has a central view through a succession of walled enclosures to the 12th-century church beyond. The walls are dotted with lichens, mosses, and plants, such as ivy-leaved toadflax and yellow stonecrop, all of which indicate their old age. Many of the walls underwent careful restoration in the 1960s and 70s and remain a stunning sight today.

Goodnestone House

The House at Goodnestone Park

The house at Goodnestone Park is a Queen Anne style mansion. It has undergone many architectural changes since it was first built in 1704 by Sir Brook Bridges. His descendants have remodelled the house throughout the years. One such descendant married an ancestor of the current Lord FitzWalter in 1756. Today, the house and estate remain in the hands of the FitzWalter family, who continue to oversee its management.

The Nursery

From Our Garden To Yours

Over the gardening year, we produce many plants using a range of propagation techniques. Come springtime, our large greenhouse is overflowing with seedlings and cuttings. These are destined for the garden or sold in our nursery.

Arboretum and Gravel Garden

A Collection of Trees

Two arboreta or collections of trees and shrubs, can be found within the gardens. In addition to their horticultural interest, they provide a beautiful display as their leaves take on their autumnal colours. Dotted amongst these arboreta, and elsewhere in the garden, old stately trees can be discovered, especially gnarled and characterful sweet chestnut trees.

The Parterre & Terrace

An Extensive View

With its Queen Anne facade, the eastern side of the house overlooks a wide expanse of lawn bisected by a central gravel path. The stone steps descend to a lower terrace and a box parterre planted to celebrate the Millennium. Avenues of yews, cut into conical shapes, run along both terraces. The formal character of this part of the garden compliments the architecture of the house and allows for clear views of the estate beyond.

The Woodland Garden

A Haven For Nature Lovers

The semi-natural woodland garden at Goodnestone Park is a haven for nature lovers. It makes the ideal location for a wellness retreat as it provides a pleasant contrast to the more formal areas of the garden.

Paths weave in almost random directions through mature oak and sweet chestnut woodland and sometimes lead to grass clearings.

Old Dairy Café

Quality Homemade Food

As the name suggests, the Old Dairy Café can be found in one of the original Estate Dairies. Converted in 2017, it has retained the original features of the building. The café team is headed up by chef Chris Larman and his partner Sue, both local to the area.

The Orangery

A unique place to celebrate

The orangery is the first of its kind at Goodnestone Park and is a magnificent new events venue which pays homage to the estate’s rich history. Custom-made by marquee specialists, LPM Bohemia, the large, timber-framed marquee, was built in 2022 adjacent to the Queen Anne-style mansion.

Our new orangery can seat up to 140 guests with plenty of room for tables and chairs while leaving space for the dance floor with its stunning nautical compass design.