Minterne Gardens Houses

The Minterne Valley, landscaped in the manner of Capability Brown in the 18th Century, has been the home of the Churchill and Digby families for 350 years. The gardens are laid out in a horseshoe below Minterne House, with a chain of small lakes, waterfalls and streams. They contain an important collection of Himalayan Rhododendrons and Azaleas, with Spring bulbs, Cherries, Maples and many fine and rare trees; the garden is noted for its Autumn colouring.

Over 1.5 miles of walks with Palm trees and towering Rhododendrons framed by tall Cedar and Beech trees, provide a new vista at each turn. The changing seasons make each visit to Minterne a memorable experience.

Minterne House has been the home of the Churchill's and Digby's family for the last 350 years and now the seat of the 12th Lord Digby. It was rebuilt in 1905 by Leonard Stokes after the previous house was destroyed by dry rot. Minterne nestles in 1,300 acres of beautiful Dorset Countryside and is described by Simon Jenkins in his book 'England's 1,000 Best houses,' as a 'Corner of Paradise.'