Larmer Tree Gardens
Rushmore Estate, Tollard Royal, near Salisbury, Wiltshire
Victorian pleasure grounds on the Wiltshire and Dorset border, created by General Pitt Rivers in 1880, with peacocks, a Roman temple, an open-air theatre and laurel-hedged rides.
Visit information checked 22 October 2026
Garden UK guide
Why visit Larmer Tree Gardens?
Larmer Tree Gardens are Victorian pleasure grounds rather than a plant collection, and the fun is in their character. General Pitt Rivers made them in 1880 for public enlightenment and entertainment, and they were the first privately owned gardens in England to be opened to the public. Today the 11 acres are a mix of central lawn, mature trees, hedged rides and a collection of unusual buildings, with free-roaming peacocks adding to the atmosphere.
Around the main lawn stand the octagonal Roman Temple and timber-framed Indian pavilions, brought here and re-erected in Victorian times. The Singing Theatre, an open-air stage added in 1895, has a backdrop based on Poussin's painting The Funeral of Phocion. Wide rides lined with cherry laurel radiate out into woodland, and you will also find the Jubilee Hall, the Dell and a 65ft folly built in 2009. Among the conifers, oaks and yews there are displays of camellias, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and eucryphias.
For gardeners, the lesson is in structure: how clipped laurel hedges create enclosed picnic spaces and long views, and how buildings can become focal points in a garden. There is no café on site, so bring a flask and a picnic, which is very much in the spirit of the place. Dogs are not allowed because of the peacocks, though assistance dogs are welcome. Most of the garden can be reached on gravel paths, except the Dell, and children can follow a fairy door trail.
What to see
- The octagonal Roman Temple and the Indian pavilions around the main lawn.
- The Singing Theatre, with its backdrop based on Poussin's The Funeral of Phocion.
- Cherry laurel-hedged rides leading out into the woodland.
- Free-roaming peacocks on the lawns and paths.
- The 65ft folly built by William Gronow-Davis in 2009.
- Camellias, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and eucryphias among the mature trees.
Larmer Tree Gardens through the year
- spring
- Camellias and rhododendrons flower under the mature trees as the gardens open for the season.
- summer
- Hydrangeas and eucryphias take over, and the lawns are at their best for a picnic.
- autumn
- The woodland around the gardens colours up, and there is an autumn opening period; check dates before you go.
- winter
- The gardens are generally closed to day visitors in winter apart from special events, so check the official website for season dates.
The story behind the garden
Augustus Lane Fox inherited the Rushmore Estate in 1880 on condition that he took the name Pitt Rivers, and began making the Larmer Tree Pleasure Grounds almost at once. He added the Temple, pavilions for picnic parties and, in 1895, the Singing Theatre, along with a racecourse, golf course and tennis courts nearby. Evenings were lit by thousands of Vauxhall lights for open-air dancing, and Thomas Hardy, who danced here in 1895, called it the prettiest sight he had ever seen. By 1899 more than 44,000 people a year visited.
After the General died in 1900 the gardens closed and cherry laurel took over. Michael Pitt-Rivers began restoring them in 1991, they reopened in 1995, and he planted a new Larmer Tree in 1999. William Gronow-Davis continued the work, and today William Fox-Pitt and his wife Alice look after the estate.
Plan your visit
- Best for
- Families, picnickers and anyone who enjoys quirky Victorian buildings and peacocks in a relaxed garden setting.
- Getting there
- Larmer Tree Gardens are on the Rushmore Estate just south of Tollard Royal, on the Wiltshire and Dorset border between Salisbury and Shaftesbury, in Cranborne Chase.
- Before you go
- The gardens close for weddings and private events and there is no café, so bring a picnic and check before you travel. The official website has current opening days and tickets.
Source: Larmer Tree: Visit the Gardens
Questions about visiting Larmer Tree Gardens
Can you take dogs to Larmer Tree Gardens?
No. Dogs are not allowed in the gardens because of the ornamental birds, including peacocks, that roam freely. Assistance dogs are welcome, and there are dog walking routes on the path beside the gardens and shady parking with a water tap.
Is there a café at Larmer Tree Gardens?
No, there is no café or refreshment facility for day visitors. Visitors are encouraged to bring flasks and picnics, and there are benches and a marquee with seating. Take any rubbish home with you.
Why are they called the Larmer Tree Gardens?
They are named after the Larmer Tree, a landmark tree on the old county boundary, probably a wych elm, where King John is said to have met his hunting party. An oak was planted in its decaying trunk around 1894 and a new tree in 1999.
Are Larmer Tree Gardens accessible?
Mostly. Apart from the Dell, the gardens can be reached by disabled visitors on the gravel paths, and there is an accessible toilet a short distance from the entrance.
Who created Larmer Tree Gardens?
General Augustus Pitt Rivers created them in 1880 after inheriting the Rushmore Estate. He opened them to the public free of charge, making them the first private gardens opened for public enjoyment in the country.
Garden features
Location
Rushmore Estate, Tollard Royal, near Salisbury, Wiltshire
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