Dreamery Gardens and Museum – Is This Magical Place Worth Visiting?

If you’re looking for a whimsical place to visit near York, then look no further than Dreamery Gardens and Museum.

It’s a gorgeous fantasy trail where you’ll encounter fairy doors, magical statues and mythical creatures.

You can also learn more about fantastical beings in their Fairy Museum of Enchanted Realms and treat yourself in the Dreamery Kitchen.

My friend Tilly and I visited for a delectable garden afternoon tea that looked to have been plucked from the pages of a fairytale.

Here is a complete guide to Dreamery Gardens and Museum and all the reasons to visit. 

What is Dreamery Gardens and Museum?

Dreamery Gardens and Museum is a place in nature where the veil between two worlds is thinnest and England’s long-lost fairy gardens. 

A place where the fae dwell, mythical creatures creep, and magic oozes in every corner.

Swamp witches, hobgoblins, kelpies, nymphs, elves, dragons, and pixies are all waiting for you here, presented to you by Professor Howland. 

Step into 100 acres of enchanted woodlands and let their whimsical forest trails take you on a wild adventure.

It’s an attraction designed for all ages, with an enlightening Enchanted Realms Museum and cosy café.

How to get to Dreamery Gardens

You’ll find Dreamery Gardens tucked away near Stamford Bridge, a short drive away from York.

You’ll find them deep within Buttercrambe Moor Wood, and the easiest way to visit would be to drive due to the remote location.

There is a large free car park directly in front of the trail entrance with plenty of space. 

If you’re not driving, the number 10 bus service from York stops at Stamford Bridge; it’s then a twenty-minute walk to the gardens.

You can also book a Streamline Taxi (01904 656565) who will take you there for a reasonable price. 

Opening times and ticket prices

Opening hours for Dreamery Gardens and Museum vary throughout the year; the only day they are not open is Tuesday.

It’s best to reserve your tickets online to check the latest opening times for your visit. They offer:

• Silver Ticket: Garden & Museum access with a reserved entry time
• Gold Ticket: Garden & Museum access with a flexible entry time
• Platinum Ticket: all of the above plus a guided walk & wishing token

My friend and I booked the Dreamery Gardens Afternoon Tea as it included free entry to the gardens and museum, which is incredible value. 

Highlights of Dreamery Gardens and Museum 

So, what enchanted things are waiting for you here? All I will say is, expect the unexpected.

It’s a magical land where the veil between worlds is thinnest, and all sorts of mythical creatures call it home.

Here are all the things to do in Dreamery Gardens and Museum near York. 

Dreamery Gardens

You’ll start your whimsical adventure through Dreamery Gardens, an enchanted woodland trail and labyrinth. 

You’ll enter their rustic woodlands and encounter fairies, hobgoblins, mythical creatures, dragon nests and swamp witches. 

I loved hunting down all the fairy doors in the trees and the toadstool fairy rings. 

There are also troll dens, a giant’s lair, black bogs, wooden thrones, overwater realms and kelpies.

You won’t be bored on this mystical adventure. Make sure to grab a helpful map from the front desk to keep track of your findings. 

Fairy Museum of Enchanted Realms

After you’ve escaped the fairy trail, you must explore the Fairy Museum of Enchanted Realms.

It includes curios, excavations, studies and discoveries by Professor Howland, who will explain the lore behind these wonderful creatures.

Learn how trees talk to each other, discover unicorns, find mermaid skeletons, and observe cloches containing obscurity.

Don’t forget to walk through their magic wardrobe portal to enter their hidden room. There are over 30 fairy houses to find in there.

I found it all so enlightening; there’s no museum in the UK quite like this one. 

Dreamery Kitchen

After your journey through the museum, stop by the Dreamery Kitchen.

It’s an enchanted café filled with trees, foliage and classic portraits and the perfect setting for refreshments. 

They have an organic menu that provides a feast of otherworldly delights, with soups, open sandwiches and smorgasbords from Titania’s kitchen.

Or, you can treat yourself to a drinkable potion from their coffee bar. They had a wide offering of hot or cold drinks.

We had already booked their afternoon tea and had a reserved table near a fireplace. It was a glorious setting for fae royalty.

Dreamery Gardens Afternoon Tea

Our tickets included the Dreamery Gardens Afternoon Tea, which was a delectable affair. 

Our woodland cake tier was made of three stacked logs with twinkling fairy lights. 

On the bottom were finger sandwiches, twigs, and edible moss (rosemary), who knew munching on lichen could be so tasty?

The middle contained all sorts of fairy cakes like toadstool muffins, chocolate nests, truffles and mushroom meringues.

There was also edible soil (cocoa powder), a tasty mud pile (crushed olives), rose buds, and butterfly sugar wafers. 

Lastly, the top tier had a scrumptious homemade scone with two loaded pots of cream and strawberry jam. 

This woodland tea was so charming and creative. Everything was so delicious; we left no crumbs. 

Is Dreamery Gardens worth visiting?

Yes, my friend and I loved our visit to Dreamery Gardens and Museum. It’s a place for dreamers who want an escape from reality for a spell.

We had so much fun encountering all the mythical creatures that call this place home and learning about local legends. 

I recommend booking their delicious afternoon tea bundle as it provides the best value for money with access to the gardens and museum. 

We couldn’t stop raving about it, and I’d go back to England’s lost fairy garden in a heartbeat. 

Make sure to add the Dreamery Gardens to your whimsical travel bucket list. 

How long do you need to visit?

I would set aside around 2-3 hours to visit the Dreamery Gardens and Museum comfortably.

This leaves enough time to meander the trails, visit the museum and refuel in the Dreamery Kitchen.

Of course, if you’re having too much fun in their whimsical world, you can stay a lot longer. There’s no limit, except for closing time.

Helpful tips

• Wear sensible shoes for the trails, especially after a few days of rain, as they can become muddy. 

• Come with a sense of wonder and question everything. There is magic waiting for you here, if you choose to believe.

• Don’t skip the delightful fairy museum; I loved counting all the little houses in the secret portal room. 

• There’s no gift shop (yet), but there are some ornaments to purchase at the front of the Dreamery Kitchen. 

Special Events

Did you know that the Dreamery Gardens hold special events throughout the year?

They regularly host guided lantern trails and twilight walks. Plus, forest schools for little ones with a mud kitchen. 

You can join them for a Gentle Halloween, or a Festive Trail at Christmas time. There’s always a reason to return to their wooded wonderland. 

Dreamery Hideaway

If you want to extend your stay in this magical world, why not book their Dreamery Hideaway?

You can stay in one of their enchanted bothies and huts in the deep woods, an ideal escape for solo travellers, families or couples.

It’s a retreat into nature where you can switch off from the hustle and bustle.

Dogs are welcome, and your booking includes free access to Dreamery Gardens and Museum, even when the crowds have gone home.  

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