If you’re thinking of visiting the town of Wimborne in Dorset, you will may be planning to visit Kingston Lacy Estate on the outskirts of the town. Kingston Lacy Estate has been owned and managed by the National Trust since 1981.
Getting To Kingston Lacy
If you’re driving to Kingston Lacy, the postcode for your sat nav is BH21 4EA. There is a large car park, with overflow parking open in peak times.
Nestled just outside of Wimborne Minster, on the road towards Blandford, you are treated to lovely views down the tree lined Avenue road on your way in.
Parking at Kingston Lacy is FREE for National Trust members.
History Of Kingston Lacy
The house at Kingston Lacy was built somewhere between 1663 and 1665 by Sir Ralph Bankes, son of Sir John Bankes. It stayed mainly in the Bankes family until it was bequeathed to the National Trust by Henry John Bankes in 1981.
The house was seen to be the family seat of the Bankes family who then lived at Corfe Castle. The original house was located just to the north of the house we see today.
William John Bankes re-imagined Kingston Lacy with art work and inspired by Venetian palaces.
Kingston Lacy House And Gardens
No two visit to the gardens at Kingston Lacy will be the same. With the ever changing of the seasons, you will be treated to a variety of colours and different flowers.
If you visit in January and February, you may be treated to the signs of snowdrops in the gardens. A visit during April and May will often show bluebells in the woodlands too.
You can relax on the formal lawn at the back of the house with a picnic, and take a rest under the shady trees.
A walk down Cedar Avenue will take you to Lime Avenue to see the azalea and camellia.
On the south lawn you can spot a six-tonne obelisk which was placed by the Duke of Wellington.
Kingston Lacy house is a marvel in itself to visit. It holds one of the UK’s finest private collections of paintings, sculptures and bespoke furniture.
There is also a collection of Eqyptian artefacts brought back from William John Bankes travels.
During your visit to the house, you’ll see the Library, Drawing Room, Dining Room, Spanish Room and The Saloon. There’s also the State bedroom and the Upper floors and Attics.
Near the end of your tour of the house, you will visit the servants’ hall and bank hall where you can see the Egyptian artefacts.
Kingston Lacy Facilities
When visiting Kingston Lacy, you will be able to explore the house and gardens. As part of your visit, there’s also a second hand book shop in the Laundry Courtyard, plant shop, cafe and gift shop.
Kingston Lacy is a dog friendly place to visit in Dorset along the woodland walks, parkland and stable courtyard. There are clear sign posts acknowledging that dogs are not permitted onto the formal gardens and the areas close to the house, or in the house itself.
If you are visiting Kingston Lacy with a dog, it’s worth noting that you will miss quite a lot of the gardens. The woodland walks however are a lovely place to walk with your dog, and you can still see the Japanese Garden, Kitchen Garden and play areas.
You may also be able to take advantage of guided tours of the gardens at selected time and dates if you’d like more in depth information.
Kingston Lacy Events
Through the year, Kingston Lacy host a variety of events. These include school holiday activities and trails. The Summer months often see outdoor cinema and theatre performances, and Christmas brings illuminated light trails.
Kingston Lacy often also is included in the annual Heritage Open Days event in September offering a visit on selected dates for FREE.