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"without question the most picturesque   house in the county" 
 Sir Frederick Treves 

Athelhampton is Open Everyday

We were open Today, and will re-open at 10am Tomorrow

The House, Gardens, Shop and Restaurant will be open until 5pm

Tesla Model Y Self-Service Test Drive available at Athelhampton, book online at www.tesla.com

From April 1st you can enjoy 25% off entry at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery when you show
your Athelhampton entry ticket on arrival.
www.dorsetmuseum.org

Athelhampton 

 composed of three Saxon words, athel, signifying noble, ham, a home or habitation, and ton, denoting the superlative degree;  the home of Æthelhelme, the Saxon Duke who was killed while commanding the Dorset men in an engagement to resist the invading Danes at Portland in AD 837.

500 years later the manor was owned by the noble Martyn family. Richard III was killed in battle at Bosworth Field in 1485, where Thomas Martyn was also slain after switching allegiance to Henry Tudor. His son Sir William Martyn inherited Athelhampton and built the Tudor Great Hall that is at the heart of this Dorset house today.

The house was extended in Elizabethan times and the Catholic Martyn family died out in 1595. The ancient manor became a humble farmhouse for almost 3 centuries until 1891, when it was purchased by the enigmatic young Victorian gentleman Mr Alfred Cart de Lafontaine who restored the manor house and with his Architect, Francis Inigo Thomas created the fabulous gardens. 


Today you can visit this exquisite example of Tudor architecture, with over 20 rooms open to explore, and fine furnishings and antiques. You can walk around the 12 acres of award-winning gardens that surround the manor, find out why Thomas Hardy loved the place, and learn about the ghostly goings on.

Athelhampton is an amazing day out in Dorset for individuals or groups.


 

EV Charging

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As part of our Zero emissions project, Athelhampton now offers 10 Electric Vehicle Charging points.

Located in the visitor carpark, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Charging costs £0.65 per kWh

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We use the popular Monta system for management, reservation and payment.

Card payment coming later in 2024

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Events

Events & Tours

Every year at Athelhampton we plan an exciting range of events for you to enjoy.

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Our friends at Chapterhouse Theatre have worked with Athelhampton for over 20 years, and each year deliver a fabulous performance.

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We have extended our offering to add more for you to enjoy each year.

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  • Autumn Pop Up Producers, Growers & Makers Market Saturday 19th October 2024
    Autumn Pop Up Producers, Growers & Makers Market Saturday 19th October 2024
    19 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 15:00
    Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK
    19 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 15:00
    Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK
    New for 2024 - an Autumn Pop Up Market trials this year with more stalls and all nice things in preparation for Winter hibernation and dare i say some 'early Christmas shopping', it is still free to attend, however in extreme weather will be scaled back to fit into our Long Hall and Car Park.
  • Tudor Living History Week - Monday 28th October 2024
    Tudor Living History Week - Monday 28th October 2024
    28 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 14:30
    Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK
    28 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 14:30
    Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK
    Visit Athelhampton, one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses surrounded by stunning architectural gardens with the bonus of being able to join in this special Half Term Event.
  • Tudor Living History Week - Tuesday 29th October 2024
    Tudor Living History Week - Tuesday 29th October 2024
    29 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 14:30
    Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK
    29 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 14:30
    Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK
    Visit Athelhampton, one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses surrounded by stunning architectural gardens with the bonus of being able to join in this special Half Term Event.
  • Tudor Living History Week - Wednesday 30th October 2024
    Tudor Living History Week - Wednesday 30th October 2024
    30 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 15:10
    Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK
    30 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 15:10
    Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK
    Visit Athelhampton, one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses surrounded by stunning architectural gardens with the bonus of being able to join in this special Half Term Event.
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