Group visits to Kingston Lacy

A group of people being shown around a garden. The tour guide is pointing left and people are looking that way. — There's plenty for your group to explore at Kingston Lacy | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Kingston Lacy welcomes groups of all sizes, and has introduced a range of measures and benefits to ensure that your time with us is as safe and enjoyable as possible. So, whether you're part of a club or organisation, or you want to celebrate a special milestone with friends and family, we look forward to welcoming you.

Why visit Kingston Lacy as a group?

Located in rural Dorset, around eight miles from Poole, Kingston Lacy is ideally located for coach parties wishing to stretch their legs on route to the Jurassic Coast. A family home rebuilt to resemble a Venetian palace, this historical treasure offers plenty to see, from a collection of paintings and ancient Egyptian artefacts to beautiful gardens and landscapes.

Benefits for group visitors

The benefits of visiting Kingston Lacy as a group include:

•   Discounted admission for groups of 15 or more
•   Complimentary admission for the group leader
•   Free refreshment voucher for the coach driver
•   Pre-booked house entry
•   Free coach parking

Please note that we welcome groups to Kingston Lacy on weekdays only, not including bank holidays, school half-terms, or Easter and Christmas holidays.

Free familiarisation visits for group leaders

If you're planning a group visit you can request our free Travel Trade Pass and you and a friend or colleague will gain free entry to over 300 of our places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 12 months. There’s nothing quite like seeing or experiencing somewhere for yourself to help you plan a successful visit. To receive your pass, call 0344 249 1895 or email us at traveltrade@nationaltrust.org.uk

Who is eligible for free entry?

Registered tourist board guides (on production of a valid badge), coach drivers and tour leaders escorting groups of 15 or more. National Trust members also receive free entry, so it is at your discretion whether to refund the entrance fee to members if you have included it in your package – this is not refunded by the National Trust.

Members must bring their current membership cards with them to avoid paying the full group rate. If any of your group would like to join the National Trust please direct them to our Membership page or call 0344 800 1895.

School visits

Schools or education groups can benefit from an Education Group Access Pass, which gives the whole group free admission and parking at most of the places in our care for a year.

How to book a group visit

To check availability, please call 01202 843736 or drop us an email at groupbookingkingstonlacy@nationaltrust.org.uk

Visitors exploring the Spanish Room at Kingston Lacy, featuring a collection of framed Spanish paintings, a large wooden table and chairs, and a visitors relaxing on a couch

Discover more at Kingston Lacy

Find out when Kingston Lacy is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

Chimneypiece in the Inner Hall, carved with William Bankes's coat of arms quartered with those of Wynne and Brune, at Kingston Lacy

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Things to see inside the house at Kingston Lacy

Find out more about the Bankes family home. Discover art treasures and look at how a large home was used by the family and their visitors who came to stay.

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Discover the garden at Kingston Lacy

Relax and wander the gardens to enjoy seasonal interest at any time of year, with plenty of space for children to run, skip and play, and spaces to stop along the way.

A child eating a gingerbread man in a cafe

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Eating and shopping at Kingston Lacy

Sample the delicious menu at the Stables Café or visit the National Trust shop to browse a wide range of gifts, souvenirs and local produce. There's also a second-hand book store stocking a huge selection of titles, old and new.

The pink granite Egyptian Obelisk in the garden at Kingston Lacy, surrounded by green lawns with a view of the house in the background

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The history of Kingston Lacy

A vision from Venice nestled in a pocket of Dorset. Read about Kingston Lacy’s most influential owner who made it the important place you see today.

A group of male and female people in a large room that has a black and white tiled floor and exhibition panels saying Vita in the background

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Education Group Access Pass

If you’re planning educational group visits to National Trust places, then you could benefit from an Education Group Access Pass, which gives you free admission for a year.

Visitors exploring the garden at Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire

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Explorer Pass

If you're planning a trip in England, Wales and Northern Ireland this year, buy a National Trust Explorer Pass for entry to most of the places in our care. With 4-, 8- and 14-day options available, the pass can be tailored to fit your trip. Discover where you can visit with the Explorer Pass and how to buy yours.