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Kitchen Garden guided tour

Meet a volunteer garden guide in the Kitchen Garden to discover a history of home-grown produce and experimental planting schemes.

  • Booking advisable
  • Free event (admission applies)

Join us on the first Wednesday of the month, May-October, for a guided tour of the Kitchen Garden.

We have been working hard to bring Walter Bankes’ dream Victorian Kitchen Garden back to life. At the end of the 19th century, the Kitchen Garden was the crowning glory of the whole garden and a pleasure ground forming the climax of the ornamental route.

Find out why this was the Bankes family's place to escape, and how it's now used to grow seasonal products for the Stables café.

Meet the garden guide by the thatched hut in the Kitchen Garden at 11:30am and 2pm.

Normal admissions apply, please scan membership card or pay for entry at Visitor Reception. See separate section, Visitor Information - Prices Each tour lasts for approximately 60 minutes.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Booking details

Call 0344 249 1895

Meeting point

Meet at the thatched hut in the Kitchen Garden

What to bring and wear

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for the time of year.

Accessibility

This event is level access, with gravel and hard-standing paths. Please note this is a 60-minute tour, standing and walking around the garden. If you would like to attend and would like to discuss your access requirements, please call 01202 883402

Other

This is approximately a 60-minute walking and standing tour of the garden. Please show volunteer proof of entry to Kingston Lacy via receipt or membership card

Upcoming events

Event

Henrietta's Garden 

Join us this year in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Henrietta Bankes’ vision of the Japanese Garden, filled with cherry blossom, bamboo and acers.

Event summary

on
2 Aug to 27 Sep 2025
at
09:30 to 16:00
+ 56 other dates or times
Event

Summer of Play 

Discover a summer jam-packed with fun for all ages in Kitchen Garden. Play with giant building blocks, visit the story garden, race on bouncy strawberries or join one of our pop-up events.

Event summary

on
2 Aug to 7 Sep 2025
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 36 other dates or times
Event

Summer of Play: Bubble play with Squidge and Pop 

Chase and dance through rainbow swirling bubbles with Squidge and Pop! Watch tricks and giant bubble spectacles as well as having a go at making your own bubbles too.

Event summary

on
3 Aug to 26 Aug 2025
at
11:00 to 12:30
+ 4 other dates or times
Event

Formal Garden Tours 

Come along to one of our volunteer-led Formal Garden tours to discover the history, horticulture and highlights of the season.

Event summary

on
3 Aug to 24 Oct 2025
at
11:30 to 12:30
+ 95 other dates or times