News from Athelhampton House & Gardens.

With the Easter Holidays in full swing, and Easter less than a week away, many historic houses and other visitor attractions in Dorset and around the country have an Easter Trail, often featuring rabbits, eggs, dinosaurs and other chocolatey goodness. It's a crowded market and, truth be told, there would be plenty of space for Athelhampton's Easter Trail in over 1000 feet of our herbaceous borders. However, our Easter Trail is non-existent. While we could try to keep up with

Due to popular demand and increased visitor numbers, from the beginning of March, Athelhampton House has been opening an hour earlier than we were in the winter. Our new opening times at Athelhampton result in the house opening at 10 instead of 11, so you can wander around and explore inside as soon as you arrive, rather than meandering through the gardens first. Not only does this mean that you've got even more time to explore over 20 rooms open in the house, it also means w

As you explore over 20 rooms at Athelhampton, there’s the chance to step into the world of one of England’s most enduring melodies, with the Greensleeves Project Exhibition. Associated with all manner of things, from Henry VIII to ice cream vans, there’s the chance at Athelhampton to discover the truth behind this evocative piece of Tudor music. The words and gifts of the rejected lover are brought to life here, with the exquisitely reconstructed Tudor clothing created by ski

We wish a Merry Christmas to all our friends and visitors. The Christmas Tree in the Tudor Great Hall at Athelhampton House Dorset is cold, calm, and full of winter light, the kind that feels quietly enchanted. Not a white Christmas at Athelhampton, but a soft golden one, sunlight glimmering into the Great Hall beside the Christmas tree. We will be open to welcome you again from the 27th

Come and experience the sights, sounds and smells of 16th century life this October half-term with us at Athelhampton House. Tickets for Tudor Week 2025 at Athelhampton are still available for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday! Photo by Dorset Morri'arty History is brought to life, inside and outside our walls, as you step back in time to 1580. Meet the Martyn family of Athelhampton, as specialist living historians recreate life as it was in Elizabeth I’s reign. Photo by Jane Te

As other country houses begin to hibernate for the winter, Athelhampton remains wide awake and full of life. Athelhampton is open all year round. This time of year is perfect for slowing down and taking in the little things… the texture of the old oak, the soft glow through stained glass, the gentle strike of a clock, a plate waiting on the dresser, the brushstrokes of paint on canvas. Come and explore, linger a little longer, and see Athelhampton in its quiet season beauty.

It’s one week to go until Tudor Week 2025 at Athelhampton! Photo by Dorset Morri'arty Step back in time this autumn half term and experience life as it was more than four centuries ago. Over forty Tudor re-enactors will be living and working throughout the house, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and scents of 1580. Photo by Dorset Morri'arty See the cooks at work in the kitchens, the maids tending to their chores, musicians in the Great Hall, and Sir Nicholas Martyn, mast

Great news! Athelhampton has been recognised by Tripadvisor as one of the Top 10% of attractions worldwide in the 2025 Travellers’ Choice Awards! Even better, we’re proud to be ranked the No. 2 visitor attraction in the Dorchester area. This award is based entirely on your reviews and ratings - so a huge thank you to everyone who has visited, shared kind words, and supported Athelhampton. And remember, unlike many historic houses, Athelhampton is open all year round. There’s