Doddington Place Gardens
Doddington Place Gardens
Doddington Place Gardens
4.5
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
10 within 3 miles
Attractions
78 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
130 reviews
Excellent
96
Very good
25
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Sue W
Canterbury, UK29 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
This was not our first visit to Doddington but unfortunately it may well be the last. Within half an hour of entering we had already spent over £50. The entrance fee is now £9 and despite a Google search throwing up NGS 2 for 1 gardens we were told bluntly 'we haven't done that or about 6 years'.
A particular bugbear is that the refreshments are very over priced for miniscule portions. The drinks are also overly expensive.
The garden structure is of course excellent and well maintained and the lawns are cared for but the borders look neglected and are underwhelming, given the cost of entry. We visit many stately home and private gardens and this has been the most disappointing this year. It is still a nice place to visit if you are local, able bodied and can take advantage of the whole grounds, perhaps bringing a picnic instead of relying on the overpriced cafe, but it is just too expensive for us now.
A particular bugbear is that the refreshments are very over priced for miniscule portions. The drinks are also overly expensive.
The garden structure is of course excellent and well maintained and the lawns are cared for but the borders look neglected and are underwhelming, given the cost of entry. We visit many stately home and private gardens and this has been the most disappointing this year. It is still a nice place to visit if you are local, able bodied and can take advantage of the whole grounds, perhaps bringing a picnic instead of relying on the overpriced cafe, but it is just too expensive for us now.
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam P
Sittingbourne, UK15 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Beautiful Gardens, full of insects and colour. Only spoiler - expensive cake for small slices. Otherwise an afternoon well spent
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen E
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Doddington Place Gardens has been on my list to visit for a while, and I finally got to visit today, taking my Mum, a wheelchair user, with me. I had read reviews before our visit, mainly to check for wheelchair accessibility, and was encouraged by several reviews, which rated the accessibility as good. The website does say that some parts of the garden are not wheelchair friendly, but much of it is, so I set out with high hopes of being able to push the wheelchair around much of the garden. How disappointing then, to find that getting the wheelchair around was actually pretty hard slog - so much so that our visit only lasted about 30 minutes. Perhaps the wheelchair users and carers who rated the accessibility as good were younger and fitter than me, but I found the pea-shingle paths really hard going. Moving the wheelchair on to the grass proved much easier, but on some of the grass paths, inevitably, you need to manoeuvre over tree roots. I do understand that little can be done to improve this situation - there ARE paths after all, but just want to warn carers who are pushing wheelchairs to expect a some hard work! What we saw of the gardens was lovely, and there is a dusabled toilet that has easy access. I woukd visit again , but not as a wheelchair- pusher!
Written 26 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard B
Todmorden, UK708 contributions
Apr 2023
Lovely gardens with lots of walks through the woods etc.
Nice rockery & gardens around the house. Nice little cafe for drinks & snacks.
Nice rockery & gardens around the house. Nice little cafe for drinks & snacks.
Written 30 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane L
3 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Beautiful typical English garden. It’s on a hill,so has amazing views of the surrounding countryside. It has a sunken formal garden, a rockery with a stream, extensive yew hedges and woodland. In April many drifts of spring bulbs. It gets 5 stars from me as it’s dog-friendly and you can take your dogs on a lead. I had the best carrot cake I’ve ever had in the café. The coffee was also a full cafetière for the two of us. A place of warmth and generosity.
Written 26 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SDG
1 contribution
May 2022 • Couples
Upon our arrival today we were amazed by the gardens and the incredible views. Such a relaxing, peaceful place to be enjoyed by all!
When we usually visit places like this, we never bring lunch as we always look forward to what the attraction has to offer. Unfortunately, in this instance, not very much at all. We were highly disappointed. When we stopped for a spot of lunch we were very unsatisfied with the lack of choice in what they had to offer, this being not very much at all. We were limited to quiche (not a fan) a sausage roll and 2 choices of cake. There was no vegetarian or vegan option and even more disappointingly nothing catered to children. I think this place should take into consideration the amount of people that do visit, as there was quite a lot today, and the choice in food.
Personally, to maximise both profit and customer satisfaction, I would offer lunch boxes for smaller children I.e. jam, chocolate spread, ham sandwich with crisps; drink carton and fruit. For the adults, the option to have a sandwich, soup or afternoon tea would be amazing! We'd be more than interested in this as would many others.
Due to my health condition, I had to leave short of time to ensure I had a adequate lunch as there was only cake and crisps I could choose from being vegetarian, if you were a vegan you'd have no chance other than a packet of crisps.
I know you're only open for a few months and limited hours but I personally believe you would not have anything to lose by making these changes, the public would love it and you'd make more money!
I overheard quite a few customers also having similar discussions as there was no suitable food options for their children to eat/drink.
I eagerly want to return in the summer to spend the day but would rather not lug a picnic around. Its an added luxury on our days out to be able to eat at the venue.
Other than the issues I've raised, this place is amazing and well worth a visit, outstanding beauty!
When we usually visit places like this, we never bring lunch as we always look forward to what the attraction has to offer. Unfortunately, in this instance, not very much at all. We were highly disappointed. When we stopped for a spot of lunch we were very unsatisfied with the lack of choice in what they had to offer, this being not very much at all. We were limited to quiche (not a fan) a sausage roll and 2 choices of cake. There was no vegetarian or vegan option and even more disappointingly nothing catered to children. I think this place should take into consideration the amount of people that do visit, as there was quite a lot today, and the choice in food.
Personally, to maximise both profit and customer satisfaction, I would offer lunch boxes for smaller children I.e. jam, chocolate spread, ham sandwich with crisps; drink carton and fruit. For the adults, the option to have a sandwich, soup or afternoon tea would be amazing! We'd be more than interested in this as would many others.
Due to my health condition, I had to leave short of time to ensure I had a adequate lunch as there was only cake and crisps I could choose from being vegetarian, if you were a vegan you'd have no chance other than a packet of crisps.
I know you're only open for a few months and limited hours but I personally believe you would not have anything to lose by making these changes, the public would love it and you'd make more money!
I overheard quite a few customers also having similar discussions as there was no suitable food options for their children to eat/drink.
I eagerly want to return in the summer to spend the day but would rather not lug a picnic around. Its an added luxury on our days out to be able to eat at the venue.
Other than the issues I've raised, this place is amazing and well worth a visit, outstanding beauty!
Written 1 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
margaretclincoln
Lincoln, UK915 contributions
Aug 2021
We took my mother here - to one of her old haunts from her youth. The gardens are part of the HHA group and this made it a very affordable afternoon out as Mum was in a wheelchair and one adult had free entrance as a carer. Access was very good to the gardens and also the park. The staff in the cafe were very helpful, opening doors so we had better access inside. The homemade cakes were delicious! A good time was had by all.
Written 14 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank L
Maidstone, UK38 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Beautiful grounds and gardens. Would have been wonderful to just sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside. Unfortunately the whole time we were there all you could hear was the sound of hedge trimmers. Given that it only opens for two days a week you would have thought maintenance could have been scheduled on days when the gardens are closed so that on the days that it is open you could enjoy them in peace.
Written 18 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim B
Kent, UK245 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
We finally got round to booking tickets to visit - you can only get in twice a week so planning ahead is essential! The gardens are stunning with so much to see and explore. Lovely to see various gardeners across the site tending to every part of what really is a beautiful place. Would recommend and will return in the future.
Written 5 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire
Ashford, UK148 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We visited on a warm sunny day, having discovered the gardens last year but omitted to book. It’s a hidden gem, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
We found it peaceful and tranquil. It was full of wildlife, bees, squirrels, pied wagtails, swallows and in the areas with water, lots of tadpoles, damselflies and other water based creatures.
There is a tea house serving cakes and sandwiches, and a large lawn with tables and chairs in the shade of beautiful trees. I am sure you could take a picnic should you wish to.
We found it peaceful and tranquil. It was full of wildlife, bees, squirrels, pied wagtails, swallows and in the areas with water, lots of tadpoles, damselflies and other water based creatures.
There is a tea house serving cakes and sandwiches, and a large lawn with tables and chairs in the shade of beautiful trees. I am sure you could take a picnic should you wish to.
Written 11 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo H
3 contributions
Thinking of going here but I'm in a wheelchair. What is it like can you get everywhere?
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingDODDINGTON PLACE GARDENS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Doddington Place Gardens
- Doddington Place Gardens is open:
- Sun - Sun 11:00 - 17:00
- Wed - Wed 11:00 - 17:00
- Hotels near Doddington Place Gardens:
- (0.36 mi) Palace Farm Hostel & Campsite
- (3.38 mi) Hempstead House Hotel and Spa
- (0.71 mi) Sandhurst Farm Forge
- (4.78 mi) The Beaumont
- (9.90 mi) The Big Cat Sanctuary Overnight Big Cat Experience
- Restaurants near Doddington Place Gardens:
- (0.36 mi) The Chequers Inn
- (0.28 mi) Doddington Tea Rooms
- (0.32 mi) Tradewinds Gifts & Coffee Shop
- (0.90 mi) The George Inn Newnham
- (1.58 mi) The Carpenters Arms