A September day at Forde Abbey, Near Chard, Dorset, Southern England, Great Britain, UK - 2023

Forde Abbey is situated on the Dorset/Somerset border in south-western England. Much of the original Cistercian monastery, including the abbey church was demolished in the period after the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in the 1500's and the building is now a private house. The monastic parts of the current house are the Great Hall, the north side of the original square of the cloisters as well as the monks' accommodation, the Upper Refectory and the Undercroft, which was the abbey's working area, and the Chapter House, which has been converted into a chapel. Other rooms have been subsequently converted into State Rooms.

The gardens of Forde Abbey are noted as being an "historically important garden" and are nowadays maintained by the Roper family. They cover approximately 120 Hectares (30 acres) and include several water features, planted gardens and an arboretum. The lawns were laid out in front of the house in the 18th century and many of the trees were planted in the 19th century.

The Great Pond, which was originally the head pond for a watermill, feeds a series of cascades down the hill to three smaller ponds which were a part of the gardens laid down in the 18th century. to provide a bird watching hide overlooking the pond. There is also a Bog Garden by the pond.

In the second largest pond, the Mermaid pond, the Roper family installed the Centenary Fountain in 2005 to commemorate the centenary of their ownership of Forde Abbey. At 49 m, it is claimed to be the highest powered fountain in England. Closer to the house surrounding the Long pond, there is extensive planting of flowering plants.