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"without question the most picturesque house in the county"
Sir Frederick Treves
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.
Events
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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- Sat, 09 Nov09 Nov 2024, 10:00 – 15:00Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK
- Sun, 10 Nov10 Nov 2024, 10:00 – 15:00Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK
- Fri, 15 Nov15 Nov 2024, 19:00 – 21:30Athelhampton House, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2, UK15 Nov 2024, 19:00 – 21:30Athelhampton House, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2, UKThe year is 1544 and King Henry, the Eighth of that name, is engaged upon Royal Progress about his Realm; and has halted here to afford his Loyal Subjects the opportunity to have 'audience' with their Sovereign Lord and King.
- Wed, 11 Dec11 Dec 2024, 19:00 – 21:00Athelhampton House, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2, UK11 Dec 2024, 19:00 – 21:00Athelhampton House, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2, UKOnce again Athelhampton House plays host to a seasonal celebration of words and music from and about Dorset, performed in the stunning Christmassy-lit Tudor Great Hall, in what is quickly becoming an annual tradition. Supper must be booked by 9am on Monday the 9th Dec.
- Wed, 18 Dec18 Dec 2024, 14:00 – 18:00Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK18 Dec 2024, 14:00 – 18:00Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UKEnjoy one of our bespoke Christmas Afternoon Teas, followed by a unique opportunity to visit after dark, with an exclusive tour of one of Dorset's finest Tudor Manor Houses decorated for Christmas with the Estate Manager.
- Thu, 19 Dec19 Dec 2024, 14:00 – 18:00Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK19 Dec 2024, 14:00 – 18:00Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UKEnjoy one of our bespoke Christmas Afternoon Teas, followed by a unique opportunity to visit after dark, with an exclusive tour of one of Dorset's finest Tudor Manor Houses decorated for Christmas with the Estate Manager.
- Fri, 20 Dec20 Dec 2024, 14:00 – 18:00Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK20 Dec 2024, 14:00 – 18:00Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UKEnjoy one of our bespoke Christmas Afternoon Teas, followed by a unique opportunity to visit after dark, with an exclusive tour of one of Dorset's finest Tudor Manor Houses decorated for Christmas with the Estate Manager.
- Fri, 20 Dec20 Dec 2024, 17:30 – 20:00Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UK20 Dec 2024, 17:30 – 20:00Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, Puddletown, Dorchester DT2 7LG, UKVisit Athelhampton, one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses decorated for Christmas. A unique opportunity to visit after dark, with an exclusive tour with the Estate Manager with a mid point break with Mulled Wine & Mince Pies in the Great Hall in front of the fire.
Tesla Model Y Self-Service Test Drive available at Athelhampton, book online at www.tesla.com
Events
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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