Address: 164 Canford Cliffs Road, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7ES
Website: https://www.comptonacres.co.uk
Compton Acres is one of Dorset’s finest ornamental gardens, occupying ten acres on the edge of Poole Harbour between Canford Cliffs and Sandbanks. Created during the 1920s by wealthy businessman Thomas Simpson, the gardens are renowned for their beautifully designed landscapes, colourful seasonal planting and peaceful atmosphere.
The gardens are divided into five individually themed areas, each inspired by different gardening styles from around the world. Visitors can stroll from the elegant Italian Garden and tranquil Japanese Garden to the dramatic Rock & Water Garden, peaceful Wooded Valley and colourful Heather Garden, with each offering its own distinctive character throughout the seasons.
Although more than a century old, Compton Acres remains one of Dorset’s most popular gardens thanks to its combination of mature planting, spectacular displays and carefully maintained landscapes. Spring is particularly popular for its rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas, while summer brings colourful herbaceous borders, autumn offers vibrant foliage and winter provides structure and evergreen interest.
In addition to the gardens, visitors can enjoy an award-winning café, plant centre, gift shop and Italian Pantry, making Compton Acres an enjoyable destination for both keen gardeners and those simply looking for a relaxing day out.
Opening Times (2026)
Compton Acres is open throughout the year, with seasonal opening hours.
Gardens
Summer (Good Friday to 31 October)
9:30am – 5:00pm
Last entry 4:00pm
Winter (1 November to Good Friday)
10:00am – 4:00pm
Last entry 3:00pm
Other facilities include:
- Café: 9:00am – 4:30pm (last food orders 4:00pm)
- Plant Centre: 9:30am – 5:00pm
- Gift Shop: 9:30am – 4:00pm
- Italian Pantry & Gifted Moments: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Compton Acres is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Admission Prices
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £11.45 |
| Concession | £10.45 |
| Carers & Blue Light Card | £4.25 |
| Children (5–16) | £5.75 |
| Under 5s | Free |
| Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) | £26.50 |
Garden tickets can be purchased on arrival, although booking online in advance is recommended.
The Gardens
The gardens are designed so that each area flows naturally into the next, allowing visitors to experience a variety of landscapes during a leisurely walk. Most people spend between two and three hours exploring, although keen gardeners may wish to stay longer.
The Italian Garden
The Italian Garden is perhaps the most recognisable part of Compton Acres. Formal terraces, ornamental fountains, elegant statues, clipped topiary and colourful seasonal bedding create a classic Mediterranean atmosphere inspired by the great Renaissance gardens of Italy.
Its symmetrical design makes it one of the most photographed areas of the gardens and provides impressive views across the surrounding landscape.
The Japanese Garden
One of the earliest Japanese gardens created in Britain, this tranquil area features winding paths, ornamental bridges, carefully shaped trees and traditional planting inspired by Japanese garden design. The peaceful atmosphere makes it one of the most relaxing parts of Compton Acres and a favourite with visitors throughout the year.
The Rock & Water Garden
One of the largest privately owned rock gardens in England, this impressive landscape combines dramatic stonework, streams, ponds, waterfalls and alpine planting. The constantly changing water features create movement and sound throughout the garden, while seasonal planting ensures there is always something new to discover.
The Wooded Valley
The Wooded Valley offers a complete contrast to the formal gardens above. Shaded pathways wind beneath mature trees alongside streams and waterfalls, creating a cool, peaceful woodland setting filled with rhododendrons, ferns and other shade-loving plants.
The Heather Garden
The Heather Garden provides year-round colour through a carefully selected collection of heathers and hardy shrubs. Although particularly attractive during late summer and autumn, the varied planting ensures there is interest in every season.
Café, Plant Centre and Shopping
Compton Acres offers more than just its gardens, with several facilities that can be enjoyed without purchasing a garden admission ticket.
The award-winning Café provides a relaxing place to enjoy breakfast, lunch, homemade cakes and freshly prepared snacks before or after exploring the gardens. During the warmer months, visitors can dine in the courtyard or enjoy refreshments overlooking the gardens. Traditional afternoon tea is also available by pre-booking, making it a popular choice for special occasions.
Garden enthusiasts will also enjoy browsing the Plant Centre, which stocks a wide selection of seasonal plants, shrubs, trees and gardening accessories. The adjacent Gift Shop offers homeware, books, gifts and garden-inspired products, while The Italian Pantry specialises in Italian foods, wines and delicacies.
Visitor Information
Free parking is available on site, and garden tickets can be purchased on arrival, although booking online in advance is recommended during busy periods.
Compton Acres is generally accessible for wheelchair users, with step-free routes available through many parts of the gardens. As these are historic gardens, some paths are naturally steep or uneven, but alternative routes are available and accessibility maps can be collected from the Ticket Office.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome throughout the gardens provided they are kept on a short lead. Dogs are also permitted in most areas of the café, making Compton Acres one of Dorset’s more dog-friendly visitor attractions.
Most visitors spend between two and three hours exploring the gardens, although keen gardeners and photographers may wish to allow longer, particularly during spring when the gardens are at their most colourful.
Why Visit Compton Acres?
Whether you have a passion for horticulture or simply enjoy peaceful surroundings, Compton Acres offers one of the finest garden experiences in Dorset. The five themed gardens provide a remarkable variety of landscapes within a relatively compact site, allowing visitors to experience everything from formal Italian terraces and tranquil Japanese planting to dramatic waterfalls and colourful woodland walks in a single visit.
Its location close to Sandbanks and Poole Harbour also makes it easy to combine with other attractions, while the excellent café and plant centre encourage many visitors to linger long after they’ve finished exploring the gardens.
Nearby Attractions
Compton Acres is ideally located between Poole and Bournemouth, just a few minutes from Sandbanks Beach and the entrance to Poole Harbour. Nearby attractions include the chain ferry to Studland, boat trips from Poole Quay, the beaches of Canford Cliffs and Branksome Chine, and the nature reserve on Brownsea Island. Together they make this part of Dorset an excellent destination for a full day of sightseeing.