Discover Tollard Royal: Gardens, History and Trails

Tollard Royal offers a varied travel experience combining landscaped gardens, historic buildings and countryside trails. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in the area can plan their stay around different interests: one day might take you through the gardens at Larmer Tree, another to church art and historic buildings, while paths and viewpoints reveal the character of the landscape.

Gardens, Views and Notable Buildings

Larmer Tree offers more than 11 acres of well-maintained grounds for visitors to explore. The Larmer Tree Grounds are home to two very different attractions, The Temple and The Dell. The Temple is an octagonal limestone building dating from around 1880. The Dell, meanwhile, is designed as a rock and water garden. Small ponds, paths and steps carved into the rockwork give this area its own carefully shaped character.

The Larmer Tree Grounds offer extensive views across the Dorset countryside. On a clear day, the Isle of Wight can also be seen in the distance. For planning your day, it is also important to note that the Larmer Tree gardens are open every year from April to October, Sunday to Wednesday, from 10 am to 4 pm. Private events may result in exceptions and closures.

Church, House History and Remembrance

Church of St Peter AD Vincula is an Anglican parish church with architectural elements dating from the 13th and 15th centuries. The north aisle contains high-quality Italian stained-glass windows by Bertini of Milan, dating from 1867. This gives the church not only a historical connection but also a specific detail for anyone wishing to combine architecture and art while travelling.

King John's House comprises a 13th-century hall house, an eastern service wing and a western residential range dating from the 17th century. General Pitt-Rivers used the house as a museum in the late 19th century. Another historic site is the Tollard Royal and Rushmore War Memorial. It commemorates thirteen members of the local community who died in the First World War.

Experience the Countryside: Trails, Valleys and Roman Traces

There are also notable destinations beyond the buildings. An approximately 480-metre section of the Roman road from Badbury Rings to Bath survives as an earthwork in Wiltshire Coppice and Hookley Copse. The section northeast of Ashmore Farm is one of the few well-preserved parts of this road. Those interested in older transport routes and visible traces of history will find a different way of engaging with the landscape here than through a visit to the historic buildings.

The W14 trail offers views from Win Green and Ox Drove. The W14 circular route runs mostly along paths and is hilly, with one very steep section. Malacombe Bottom lies on the eastern edge of Tollard Royal and forms the northern section of a dry valley. The former course of the road, which was diverted south towards the church, remains a public footpath. These different types of route help you choose between views, observing the landscape and following historical traces during your stay.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

When looking for accommodation in Tollard Royal, it is worth deciding in advance what kind of daily rhythm you want. If gardens and historic sites are your main focus, you can plan your visits around Larmer Tree, Church of St Peter AD Vincula and King John's House. If you prefer to take in the countryside, W14, Win Green, Ox Drove and Malacombe Bottom offer different points of focus. A holiday apartment or holiday home is therefore chosen not on the basis of supposed amenities, but according to the itinerary you want to experience while you are there.

For further ideas, you can also explore Figheldean, Sherston, Staverton, Andover, Upper Seagry, Upavon, Larkhill and Charlton.

For the broader travel overview: Wiltshire.