School and Group Visits to Forde Abbey & Gardens
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Explore 900 Years of History
The magnificent estate offers a living history lesson, with centuries of stories woven into its stunning architecture and gardens. Explore the grand halls, discover secret corners, and learn about life in Tudor and Victorian times.
Medieval Monastic Life
Students can walk in the footsteps of Cistercian monks through the 12th-century Chapter House. This provides a visceral look at life in the Medieval / Middle Ages and the impact of the Reformation on religious buildings.
A stunning former monastery and gardens where students explore monastic life, historical power, and natural scienceEducation Destination
Discover the magnificent Forde Abbey & Gardens. Explore a former Cistercian monastery, investigate 30 acres of award-winning gardens, and learn about the local history of the Dorset and Somerset border
Biodiversity and Nature
With 30 acres of grounds, the estate is a premier resource for studying animals, habitats and biodiversity. Youngsters can explore the arboretum and bog garden to learn about various tree species and freshwater ecosystems.
Rivers & the Water Cycle
The Abbey is powered by the River Axe, featuring the highest-powered fountain in the country. Pupils investigate the water cycle by seeing how natural resources were harnessed for both utility and spectacular garden design.
Victorian Garden Design
Explore the formal gardens to see the influence of the Victorians on the landscape. By visiting the walled kitchen garden, youngsters learn about agriculture, food and healthy living in a historic rural setting.
English Civil War Links
The Abbey has a direct link to the English Civil War through its former owner, Edmund Prideaux. Students can explore the grand state rooms to learn about the political power shifts that occurred during the era of the Stuarts.
Local History Discovery
Forde Abbey is a cornerstone of local history on the Dorset and Somerset border. Students can trace 900 years of change, discovering how the site transitioned from a silent monastery to a magnificent family home.
Animals, Habitats & Biodiversity
With 30 acres of diverse grounds including an arboretum, bog garden, and woodland, the estate is a haven for wildlife. Youngsters can investigate the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems in the various ponds and the different habitats that support local flora and fauna.
Changes Within Living Memory
The Abbey has transitioned from a monastic site to a family home and a major tourist attraction. Pupils can examine how the use of the buildings and gardens has changed over time, comparing the lives of those who lived there in the 20th century to their own.
English Civil War
The Abbey was purchased in 1649 by Edmund Prideaux, who was a prominent Parliamentarian and Oliver Cromwell’s Attorney General. This provides a direct link for students to learn about the people and power shifts during the English Civil War.
Forests
The estate features a significant arboretum and has seen over 350,000 trees planted in its history. Pupils can explore different tree species and learn about the importance of forests and managed woodlands in the British landscape.
Gardens
Forde Abbey is home to award-winning gardens that have evolved over nine centuries. Youngsters can study formal and informal garden design, from topiary-lined vistas to herbaceous borders, discovering how people have shaped nature for beauty and utility.
Local History
Forde Abbey is a cornerstone of local history on the Dorset and Somerset border. Students can trace the story of the area from the arrival of the first monks in 1141 through to the Abbey's role as a major employer and landmark in the Chard region.
Medieval / Middle Ages
Founded in 1136, the Abbey is one of the most complete Cistercian monastic buildings in the country. Pupils can walk in the footsteps of monks, exploring the 12th-century Chapter House and 13th-century dormitory to understand life in the Medieval / Middle Ages.
Reformation
The Abbey provides a clear example of the impact of the Reformation. Students can learn about the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, when the last abbot surrendered the site to the Crown, ending 400 years of monastic life.
Religion
As a former monastery, the site is deeply connected to the study of religion. Youngsters can explore the religious practices of the Cistercian order and how the Chapter House was later converted into a chapel for private worship.
Rivers & The Water Cycle
The Abbey is situated on the banks of the River Axe. Students can investigate the water cycle by seeing how the monks diverted the river to create the Great Pond, which still powers the estate's impressive water features today.
Stuarts
The 17th-century alterations to the Abbey reflect the architectural style of the era of the Stuarts. Pupils can explore the grand state rooms and learn about the political connections of the owners during the Stuart period.
Victorians
The Evans family transformed the site during the era of the Victorians, creating a labour-intensive garden typical of the time. Students can learn about 19th-century domestic life and the large-scale gardening projects that defined the estate's Victorian chapter.
