Kingston Lacy is one of Dorset’s finest historic houses, surrounded by elegant formal gardens, woodland and more than 8,500 acres of parkland. Owned by the National Trust, the Italian-inspired country mansion is renowned for its impressive interiors, important art collection and extensive estate, making it one of the county’s premier heritage attractions.
Inside, visitors can explore lavishly furnished state rooms, richly decorated interiors and one of the National Trust’s finest art collections. Highlights include paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Jacob Jordaens and other European Old Masters, together with one of Britain’s most important collections of Spanish Golden Age paintings. The house also displays Egyptian antiquities, classical sculptures and artefacts collected by William John Bankes during his travels through Europe and the Middle East.
Outside, visitors can enjoy beautifully maintained formal gardens, woodland walks, the Japanese Garden, Victorian Fernery, Kitchen Garden and the wider estate, which extends across more than 8,500 acres of Dorset countryside.
Kingston Lacy is located approximately two miles north-west of Wimborne on the Wimborne to Blandford Road.
SAT NAV postcode BH21 4EA (Google map)
Website: : https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy
Kingston Lacy History
The Kingston Lacy estate became the home of the Bankes family after nearby Corfe Castle was destroyed during the English Civil War. The present mansion was built between 1663 and 1665 for Sir Ralph Bankes and later transformed into the elegant Italian-inspired country house seen today.
Much of what visitors see inside the house is the legacy of William John Bankes (1786–1855), an explorer, collector and traveller who spent many years in Europe and the Middle East. During his travels he acquired exceptional works of art, Egyptian antiquities and classical sculptures, creating one of Britain’s finest private collections. He also remodelled the house, adding richly decorated interiors inspired by the great palaces of Italy.
The estate remained in the ownership of the Bankes family for more than 300 years before being bequeathed to the National Trust in 1982, together with Corfe Castle and thousands of acres of surrounding Dorset countryside.
Kingston Lacy Gardens
The gardens are as much a highlight as the house itself. Visitors can explore colourful formal gardens, ornamental lakes, woodland walks and seasonal displays of camellias, rhododendrons and herbaceous borders.
Other attractions include:
- The Japanese Garden
- Victorian Fernery
- Kitchen Garden
- Woodland play area
- Woodland and parkland walks
The wider estate also includes avenues of ancient beech trees, open parkland and access to several walking routes.
Facilities
Facilities include:
- Café
- Shop
- Toilets
- Free parking for house visitors
- Kitchen Garden
- Woodland play area
Kingston Lacey House and Gardens Tickets 2026
Entrance is FREE to National Trust Members
| House and Gardens Ticket | Gift Aid* | Standard |
| Adult | £25.30 | £23 |
| Child | £12,70 | £11.50 |
| Family 2 adults + children | £63.30 | £57.50 |
| Family 1 adult + up to 2 children | £38 | £34.50 |
Related Pages: Wimborne / Wimborne Model Town / Badbury Rings / Blandford Forum / National Trust /