Abbotsbury Swannery 
Winter visits to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens have their own seasonal rhythm
Car parks are quieter, paths feel more spacious, and you might notice details that can slip past in the hive of summer activity.
In Dorset, a handful of RHS Partner Gardens welcome visitors in the off-season, and Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is certainly a not-to-miss experience, combining a rare coastal microclimate with a stunning exotic plant collection.
Why winter is a great time to visit RHS Partner Gardens
Seasonal changes at the Gardens
Winter puts shape and texture at the centre of an RHS Partner Garden visit. Evergreens carry the garden’s backbone, seedheads linger, and you can see the design of paths, ponds and terraces more clearly. It is also the season when a hot drink and a meandering walk are very much an integral part of the experience!
There is also a practical benefit for regular gardeners. Winter visits are full of ideas you can take home, from planting combinations that hold their form to the way sheltered corners protect tender plants.
Visit Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Dorset’s RHS winter highlight on the Jurassic Coast
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens sit on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast and cover 30 sprawling acres, with an extensive plant collection drawn from around the world. The Gardens are less than a mile from the sea, and that coastal influence creates a milder microclimate than many inland sites, helping the valley stay largely frost-free through winter.
For RHS members planning a day out in January and February, the Gardens are open daily from 10am until 3.30pm, making Abbotsbury a simple choice for an unhurried winter visit, even when daylight hours are short.
Once you are inside, Abbotsbury has that rare ability to make winter feel lush. The Gardens are known for their camellia groves and magnolias, with evergreen planting and sheltered pathways that keep the experience colourful and immersive even in the colder months. In January, that sense of calm is part of the appeal.
You can take your time with the planting, pause by the water, and enjoy the quieter atmosphere that summer crowds often don’t allow.
What makes Abbotsbury especially rewarding in January
Camellias, evergreens and winter views
A winter visit to Abbotsbury is built around contrast. One moment you are in sheltered, almost jungle-like planting, and the next you are climbing toward the viewpoint that looks out across Chesil Beach and along the coast. That shift between enclosed woodland-feel paths and wide coastal scenery is one of the reasons the Gardens is perfect for repeat visits, whatever the season.
Be sure to make time for The Rope Bridge, spanning 36 metres across the Gardens’ largest pond. The crossing gives you a fresh perspective of the valley planting and the aquatic habitat below, adding a sense of fun to your winter exploration.
To round off the visit, the Garden Café and Plant Centre are a wonderful excuse to stay a little longer. The Café is open daily in winter, while the Plant Centre is a great place to pick up something that has already proved it can handle local conditions.
Other RHS Partner Gardens in Dorset that are open in January
Two more options for an RHS winter day out
If you want to build a small Dorset winter garden trail around your Abbotsbury visit, Compton Acres in Poole is another RHS Partner Garden that stays open year-round. It is an Art and Crafts-style garden with a series of themed areas, which makes it a good choice when you want variety without a long walk between highlights.
Meanwhile, Holme for Gardens near Wareham is also an RHS Partner Garden and remains open through winter, combining formal garden areas with a garden centre and an on-site café. It works well for a January visit when you want an easier, more flexible day that still feels grounded in plants, with opening hours that continue through the colder months.
How to make the most of your RHS membership this winter
If you are choosing one Dorset garden to prioritise this winter, make it Abbotsbury. The unique microclimate, the evergreen structure, and the coastal viewpoint – all combine to create a magical off-season visit, particularly if you’re looking to make the most of your RHS membership during this peaceful time of year.
Posted on January 27th 2026
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