A WEST Dorset attraction has won a national award, being voted as 'garden of the year'.

Mapperton Gardens have been voted the Historic Houses’ Garden of the Year 2020.

The gardens, located near Beaminster, received nearly a quarter of all votes from the public out of a shortlist of eight gardens across the country, selected by Historic Houses - a co-operative association of independent historic houses and gardens.

The gardens and the accompanying Mapperton House recently featured in the Netflix adaptation of the 1938 novel, 'Rebecca'.

The Garden of the Year is not judged by professional gardeners, it is voted for by the general public who judge the gardens purely based on their enjoyment.

Historic Houses’ Garden of the Year Award recognises the importance of some of the country’s most spectacular gardens with outstanding horticultural and public appeal.

Mapperton, the family home of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, is one of the most important and distinctive gardens in the country. A Grade II* registered building, it is among a handful of the top gardens in the south west. Its gardens are famous for their romantic setting, their varied planting and their sense of tranquility.

The gardens descend from the formal topiary gardens and orangery to the north to an arboretum, beyond which the land unfolds in small, steep valleys and headlands down to the sea five miles away.

Lady Sandwich says: “We are so delighted that Mapperton has been voted Historic Houses’ Garden of the Year 2020.

“We want to thank everyone who voted for us. It means a great deal that so many people took the trouble to vote and have had so much enjoyment from the Gardens. “That has been especially so this year, when getting outdoors and enjoying nature has been more important than ever.

“Everyone here works so hard to make the Gardens a wonderful place to visit and this award is a great boost!”

Mapperton Gardens will remain open through the lockdown, however the cafe and house will be closed as per government guidelines. Visitors are welcome to bring their own refreshments to enjoy in the gardens.