Kingston Lacy House

Wimborne, Dorset BH21 4EA

Tel: 01202 883402  Fax: 01202 882402

website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The Kingston Lacy estate was bequeathed in 1981 to the National Trust, along with 8,000 acres on the Isle of Purbeck, in the will of Ralph Bankes. Much of the land has been declared inalienable, meaning that it can never be sold, developed or mortgaged. Kingston Lacy House, home of the Bankes family for over 300 years, is a beautiful 17th century building with an outstanding collection of Old Masters, Egyptian artefacts and the amazing Spanish room with gilded leather hanging on the walls. All four floors are open to visitors, and the Edwardian laundry gives a fascinating insight into life below stairs 100 years ago.

The garden has two formal areas, the parterre and the sunken garden. The Victorian Fernery supports over 25 types of fern, the Blindwalk contains flowering shrubs and groundcover plants, and the 18th century Lime Avenue leads to Nursery Wood, where specimen trees, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias grow. The landscaped park covers 250 acres and is home to the North Devon herd of cattle. There are lovely walks through the woodland areas, some suitable for wheelchairs, and Coneygar Copse has three different areas of woodland play equipment.