Athelhampton House & Gardens

Description:

Athelhampton House in Dorset is a fine Manor house dating from the 15th Century, situated just five miles East of the County Town of Dorchester.

Athelhampton's history and that of its inter-related families covers more than a thousand years. Much of the present house has stood for over five centuries.

Sir William Martyn built the Hall at Athelhampton in about the year of 1485 and received a license to enclose 160 acres of deer park and fortify his manor. The house remained in the Martyn family for the next 4 generations when the house was then passed to four daughters, the shares of the house were not re-united until 1848 and through successive owners the house was eventually purchased by Alfred Cart de Lafontaine in 1891, who set about restoring the house and creating the formal gardens we see today.

In 1957, Robert Victor Cooke purchased the house, and in 1966 he gave Athelhampton to his son Sir Robert Cooke MP. Today Sir Roberts son Patrick and his wife Andrea run Athelhampton and continue to improve and renovate the House and Gardens to protect it for generations to come.

Athelhampton  provides a wealth of history, with stunning interiors, antique furnishings, paintings and porcelain. The extensive gardens, with their ham stone courts, water features and creative planting are delightful throughout the seasons.

The River Walk takes you through a natural habitat along the banks of the River Piddle and the historic dovecote and its white doves occupying the side lawn.

There is a range of facilities on offer at Athelhampton House.

Easy access and free parking, a gift shop and licensed Topiary Restaurant offering informal lunches, morning coffees and afternoon tea. On a Sunday there is a Carvery as well as the Long Hall restaurant for A la carte dining.