Dorset

Kingston Lacy

A lavish family home re-imagined as a Venetian Palace in the rural Dorset countryside.

Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4EA

Opening times
Prices
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Sun shining on the house at Kingston Lacy, leaves on a tree in the foreground are starting to change colour and drop on the lawn

Opening times for 28 November 2023
Asset	Opening time
House	10:30 - 16:00
Car Park	09:30 - 17:00
Garden	09:30 - 16:00
Park	09:30 - 17:00
Stables Café	09:30 - 17:00
Shop	10:00 - 17:00
Second-hand bookshop	10:00 - 17:00
Badbury Rings car park	Dawn - Dusk
Kitchen Garden Kiosk	11:00 - 15:00

In January 2024, the house will be closed 2-5 Jan for Christmas takedown, and the whole property closed 9 Jan for staff training. Throughout the rest of Jan, access to the house will be limited to guided tours (free, normal admission applies). There will be eight tours every day, two of which are bookable in advance. Tickets for the other tours are available to pick up on arrival at Visitor Reception on a first-come-first-served basis. See upcoming events on the Things to See and Do tab to find out more.

Open

Partially open

Closed

Visits to the house are limited and entry to the house is not guaranteed on the day you visit. Ask at reception for a timed ticket when you arrive.

If you are visiting Badbury Rings on the wider estate, please note that there is a car parking charge for non members of £1 for one hour or £3 for the day.

Carers/ Companions

The Essential Companion card makes it simple to bring one or two carers or companions with you, free of charge. Show the card when you arrive, and your carer(s) or companion(s) won't need to pay an entry fee.

It's in your name so you can bring whoever you like, but even if you don't have an Essential Companion card, you can still bring carers or companions free - the card just makes it quicker and simpler for you.

For details on how to order your card visit our website Access for everyone | National Trust

House (if capacity), Garden and Parkland
Ticket type Gift aid Standard
Adult £19.80 £18.00
Child £9.90 £9.00
Family £49.50 £45.00
1 adult, 2 children £29.70 £27.00
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Book shop
Second-hand bookshop located in Laundry Courtyard, just opposite the shop.
Guided tour
Volunteer-led tours of the garden
Cafe
A range of sandwiches, light snacks such as soup or sausage rolls, and heartier choices such as one-pot lunches served with bloomers. Cream teas and ice cream. Children's lunchbox. A range of vegetarian and vegan options. Hot and cold drinks (takeaway available). Tables inside and out.
Plant shop
Visit the shop in Laundry Courtyard to buy a range of seasonal plants.
Car park
The main car park is 0.25 miles from the main road down a tarmac driveway. The car park consists of tarmac driveways and loose stone and gravel mix.
Shop
Located in Laundry Courtyard. A range of home furnishings, fashion accessories, kitchen ceramics, plants and seasonal food and drink, including products from local providers
Dogs
Dogs on a lead are welcome in the car park, woodland walks, parkland and the Stables courtyard. Dogs not allowed in the formal garden, immediately behind the house, and in the house. Assistance dogs welcome everywhere.
Toilet
Signposted as you enter the property. Baby-changing facilities are available in the ladies' and men's toilets
Blue Badge parking. Mobility scooters for hire. Accessible WC. House partly accessible, virtual tour available. Garden paths mainly gravel.
Kingston Lacy Access Statement
Accessible route and/or map
Path and floor surfaces around the property are tarmac, concrete, gravel, flagstone, grass, tile, marble and carpet. Map of accessible route available from Visitor Reception.
Level access/terrain
Accessible toilet
Located in the Laundry courtyard.
Narrow corridors
Please leave backpacks and rucksacks in the bag store (free of charge), located in the Laundry Courtyard.
Braille (guide or menu)
Braille guides are available from the Front of House team in the main entrance.
Powered mobility vehicle available
Three powered mobility vehicles are available for loan from Visitor Reception. Pre-booking advised, telephone 01202 883402 (line 2).
Designated parking
There are 14 designated spaces for disabled people, on a gravel surface. Bays are not marked. Car park has tarmac driveways and loose stone and gravel mix for parking bays. The overflow car park is grass. The parking area is 21 metres (22 yards) from Visitor Reception, up a tarmac slope with a 1:8 gradient.
Ramped access/slopes
Induction loop
Induction loops at Visitor Reception and in the shop.
Steps/uneven terrain
Main entrance to the house is up four steps and access to ground, first and second floors is via staircases. Wheelchair users have level access to three rooms on the basement level only, via a door is located in Laundry Courtyard. Please ring the bell for admission if no one is on duty. One of these rooms contains the virtual tour.
Large print (guide or menu)
Large print guides are available from the Front of House team in the main entrance.
Virtual tour
Audio-visual virtual reality tour available about the history of the house and the family as well as 360º degree imagery of all rooms. The touch screen is located on a 720mm high table within the interpretation space. The screen is positioned at an angle that can be adjusted. A chair without armrest is available.
Level access to food outlet
Flooring within the restaurants is cobble stones or wood.
Wheelchairs available
Three manual wheelchairs and three powered mobility vehicles are available for loan from Visitor Reception. Pre-booking advised, telephone 01202 883402 (line 2).
Level access to shop
Two entrance ways: one with steps down and the other (signposted) level. Flooring uneven flagstones.
Map
Directions via Google Maps
By road
on B3082 Blandford to Wimborne Road
Parking: free at Kingston Lacy for all visitors. If you are visiting Badbury Rings on the wider estate, there is a pay-and-display car park: free for members (scan your membership card for an all-day ticket) and a charge for non members of £1 for one hour or £3 for the day.
Sat Nav: data unreliable, follow B3082 and brown signs to Kingston Lacy
By train
Poole 8½ miles
By bus
Services from Bournemouth and Poole, alight Wimborne Square. Taxi advised for onward journey to Kingston Lacy (3 miles). On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays Local Bus Service 88 runs from Wimborne to Kingston Lacy car park. Find out more at www.ectcharity.co.uk.
By bicycle
Cycle route information

House (if capacity), Garden and Parkland
Ticket type	Gift aid	Standard
Adult	£19.80	£18.00
Child	£9.90	£9.00
Family	£49.50	£45.00
1 adult, 2 children	£29.70	£27.00

A small child accepts a gift from Father Christmas

Christmas at Kingston Lacy

From 25 November the property will be transformed as folk tales from across the world are brought to life by magical decorations. There'll be a vintage carousel, a host of twinkling lights and (shhhh!) storytime with a very special visitor... Find your festive at Kingston Lacy.

House access in January

Kingston Lacy was never designed to have the numbers of visitors it enjoys today. To preserve this incredible collection for the future, the conservation team needs space to work on deep cleaning the rooms and items within them. So throughout January (exc 2-5 and 9 Jan, when the house is closed), the only way to view the house is on a guided tour (free, admission applies). Go behind the scenes, discover rooms not normally open and learn how we care for Kingston Lacy. There will be eight tours every day, two of which are bookable in advance. Tickets for the other tours are available to pick up on arrival at Visitor Reception on a first-come-first-served basis. Click to find out more.