From touring the traditional Tudor manor home, to exploring the gorgeous landscaped gardens, discover out all it’s essential to find out about visiting Athelhampton Home and Gardens in Dorset.
We’ve simply loved a beautiful little break down in Dorset. Simply over two hours’ drive from our place in London, Dorset is one in every of our favorite counties to go to. Over the previous couple of years, we’ve ventured everywhere in the area, trying out iconic spots reminiscent of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, kayaking in Weymouth, meandering via the subtropical gardens at Abbotsbury, sipping wine at Langham Wine Property and admiring the historical past of Corfe Fortress.
This time our vacation spot was Athelhampton Home and Gardens, a spectacular Tudor manor home close to Dorchester. It’s someplace steeped in historical past, with its Nice Corridor courting again to 1485, quite a few renovations over time and an fascinating connection to novelist and poet Thomas Hardy.
When you’re contemplating a go to, discover out extra about what there’s to see, methods to profit from your day trip, and the fabulous lodging out there throughout the manor itself.
A Information To Visiting Athelhampton Home and Gardens
Why go to Athelhampton Home and Gardens?
Athelhampton Home is a shocking historic manor with a wealthy historical past courting again over 500 years. Most guests purchase a mixed ticket to see each the home and the gardens. Inside the home you’ll be able to see varied artefacts from all through the ages, together with the Nice Corridor, the manor’s historical kitchen, conventional eating room, 15th century bed room and areas for entertaining, together with a billiards room.
In the meantime, exterior there’s a lot to see too. The formal gardens are distinctive of their format, separated into smaller ‘rooms’ quite than one massive area.
What’s the historical past of Athelhampton Home and Gardens?
The historical past spans over 500 years and has a whole lot of twists and turns! There have been quite a few house owners, renovations and some spooky tales too.
The location of Athelhampton has been inhabited since Saxon instances. The Martyn household had been the primary house owners, and held onto the property for a lot of generations. Within the fifteenth century, it was the Martyn household who had been chargeable for big renovations. They added the spectacular Nice Corridor, which is the oldest surviving a part of the home as we speak.
It then handed to Sir Robert Lengthy within the 1600s, who was the Chancellor of the Exchequer below King Charles II. There was a interval of neglect within the 18th and early nineteenth centuries. On the finish of the nineteenth Century, the Wooden household acquired the Home. The home was then bought by Alfred Cart de Lafontaine in 1890, who was chargeable for lots of the additions you see as we speak, together with a whole lot of the landscaping of the gardens.
After some large renovations, the home was bought by the Cooke household in 1957.
Novelist and poet Thomas Hardy was a daily customer through the 1800s. In reality, his identify was inscribed on the leadwork of the dovecote. He additionally wrote three books and two poems that embrace homes impressed by Athelhampton,
Extra lately the home was purchased by Giles Keating, who has labored exhausting to make it extra sustainable, with the addition of renewable vitality sources together with photo voltaic panels. He’s on a mission to make the home carbon impartial too.
What are the highlights of Athelhampton Home?
There are such a lot of highlights! For me, I cherished strolling across the perimeter of the Tudor manor, taking within the constructing’s stunning structure and distinctive particulars. Inside, I loved seeing the Nice Corridor, the billiards room and the Artwork Deco styled bed room.
I used to be additionally impressed by the Nice Chamber, with its 17th century theme. It featured intricately carved woodwork and many grand furnishings.
One other factor that makes a go to to Athelhampton Home very particular is the shortage of limitations. Usually in related nation mansions there are many areas roped off to the general public. It will probably really feel fairly unwelcoming! However at Athelhampton you’ll be able to rise up near all of the antiques.
I additionally loved seeing the varied gardens, notably the magnificent topiary on show with the pyramid-shaped timber. The round walled backyard is one other pretty spot, with its fairly fountain within the centre. Our go to coincided with the rose backyard being in full bloom too, which was very particular.
How a lot does it value to go to Athelhampton Home and Gardens?
When you’re pondering of visiting Athelhampton Home in Dorset, I’d suggest reserving by way of the web site. By reserving on-line, you’ll obtain 10% off your ticket.
With out the low cost, an ordinary grownup ticket to the home and backyard prices £18, or simply the backyard is £12. There are diminished charges for senior residents and college students, and youngsters below 12 get in free.
Canine are permitted to go to the gardens too, with a pooch ticket costing £1!
When you’re a member of Historic Homes, you’ll obtain free entry.
Is there a store or restaurant at Athelhampton Home?
Athelhampton has a café on website, the place you’ll be able to sit down and revel in a cuppa and a slice of cake, or a light-weight lunch. There’s additionally a present store promoting souvenirs, historic books, gardening equipment and native produce.
Lodging at Athelhampton Home and Gardens
Do you know you’ll be able to keep on website at Athelhampton Home? This a part of our journey was actually particular! We checked into the Cochrane Wing, and loved a self-catered keep throughout the majestic manor home. We had been visiting with our new child child, which labored out nicely because the lodging comes with the whole lot a household may need, together with a journey cot and excessive chair.
To remain at Athelhampton, you’ll have to guide the complete 7-bedroom wing. It’s excellent in case you’re searching for household lodging in Dorset. The entire rooms have been renovated to a excessive customary, with luxurious furnishings, good décor and en-suite loos. There’s a big kitchen and lounge on the bottom ground, plus plans to create some exterior area too.
My favorite factor about being invited to remain right here was that we had been capable of wander the gardens after the general public left. We poured a glass of wine and sat exterior in one of many many areas, having fun with the gorgeous views. It felt wonderful to have all of it to ourselves!
I additionally cherished spending an opulent night within the manor, cooking a scrumptious dinner then enjoyable within the monumental bathtub! I might hear the birds tweeting, odor the scent of candy roses wafting via the home windows and felt so relaxed as I loved a peaceable soak!
You will discover out extra about staying at Athelhampton, together with costs and availability, right here.
What else is close by Athelhampton Home and Gardens?
Athelhampton is in an amazing location in case you’d like to go to different well-known Dorset points of interest. Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are each round a 25-minute drive from the home.
Previous Harry Rocks in Studland and Abbotsbury subtropical gardens are each round half-hour’ drive. The closest main city is Dorchester (below 20 minutes away) the place you’ll discover plenty of outlets and eating places. Alternatively, you’ll be able to attain Weymouth in round half-hour.
Athelhampton Home and Gardens opening instances
Athelhampton Home and Gardens are open all year long.
In off-season (Nov – Feb) it’s open from 10am – 4pm.
In excessive season (March – Oct) it’s open from 10am – 5pm.
Often it closes for a particular occasion, so I’d at all times suggest checking the Athelhampton web site earlier than your go to.
We cherished our journey to Athelhampton Home and it’s undoubtedly someplace I’d suggest visiting on a day journey in case you’re visiting Dorset. Staying just a few nights within the Cochrane Wing allowed us time to actually get to know the home and gardens, making our time further particular.
Thanks to Athelhampton for internet hosting us. As at all times, all opinions are my very own.
When you’re searching for extra inspiration for this area, try my weblog publish in regards to the prime locations to go to in Dorset, plus my guides to visiting Corfe Fortress and Durdle Door.
