News from Athelhampton House & Gardens.

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. Dorset's finest Tudor manor house 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

Live theatre at Athelhampton is another way to spend time with us, taking in not just the house and grounds but also seeing a story played out in front of you. It's a chance to disconnect from technology and the tedium of day-to-day life, and live in the moment. In two weeks' time, join us for an unforgettable summer evening when The Plandits will be performing The Big Bad Wolf. A rock and roll musical for the whole family, The Big Bad Wolf follows the scheming life of Fairyt

At Athelhampton the pale pink hydrangeas are starting to bloom, lining the front drive in a soft, romantic haze as you approach the old Tudor Manor House. The Hydrangea border brings hues of pink to the front of the Tudor Manor Hydrangeas have been cultivated for centuries - prized for their generous, ever-changing colours, which reflect the soil itself. Here in Dorset this summer, the delicate display as you approach the house is simple, but effective, drawing you in to the

Yesterday afternoon the Head Gardener and Estate Manager spent an hour walking through Athelhampton's historic gardens. After the hot weather, they were checking on plant and tree health, and planning future projects. As they passed through The Great Court the calla lilies in the bog garden called for their attention, and they took these pictures. Calla lily, also known as arum lily, is not a true lily. It belongs to the genus Zantedeschia which originates from South Africa.

Around the historic gardens at Athelhampton the Wisteria are blooming, their cascading purple flowers releasing a lightly perfumed scent. As you explore, at the western side of the gardens is our 1-acre Edwardian Kitchen Garden, featuring brick walls and paths the central axis is filled with Laburnum with bright yellow flowers. Tomorrow, on Sunday the 11th of May, it is our Spring Plant Fair hosted by Plant Heritage. A huge range of nurseries and plant suppliers will be on th

There's just a week to go until Athelhampton’s Spring Market! More than 50 stalls have registered to attend so there will be plenty to see (and buy). Our Spring, Summer and Autumn markets are all FREE to attend so why not come along and have a look? Food, drink, confectionery, crafts and more, all from fabulous Wessex businesses. Exceptional local craftmanship will be on display, all from local makers. The restaurant is open, and admission charge to the House and Garden appli

It's been a busy weekend at Athelhampton, as a new room opened to the public. The East Wing attic has been renovated over the last 6 months, and is now open as an art gallery. As well as art on display, the room has some fabulous views over the gardens that haven't been seen by our visitors in years! The gallery was opened by Simon Hoare MP, with Arthur Neal as our first artist exhibiting over 75 works. The team at Athelhampton faced many challenges completing this project on

Spring is beginning to bloom at Athelhampton. Yesterday’s sunshine bathed the gardens in warmth, bringing the blossoms to life against the walls of the greenhouse in our historic kitchen garden. It was the perfect glimpse of the season ahead. Here's to hoping for lots more bright and beautiful days like this, which show Athelhampton's historic gardens to their full advantage. Athelhampton is open all year round, save for a few days at Christmas. Now is the perfect time to com

A freezing and foggy welcome for our visitors at Athelhampton today! We took a quick wander through the gardens, and along the River Piddle this morning. The sun shining through a heavy haze of fog made everything feel eerie and slightly magical. Walking around Athelhampton often feels like stepping back in time, but with the fog muffling sight and sound, this feeling of time-travel was subtly enhanced. Fortunately the fog soon disappeared and Athelhampton's historic gardens

The Silver Safe at Athelhampton has just reopened after a week of renovations. It is the smallest of the 20 historic rooms open to the public. Athelhampton was purchased in 1660 by Sir Robert Long, (treasurer to Queen Henrietta Maria) he was a wealthy landowner and had many estates in Dorset, London, Wiltshire and Yorkshire. In the 1750s his descendants spent time at all their various estates. This may have been when this room was added, enabling valuable silverware to be lo

Snowdrops are popping up in Athelhampton's historic gardens, a sign that warmer weather is on its way (fingers crossed!) As well as the snowdrops there are more signs in the garden that spring is on its way, our first daffodils are flowering, I think that is the earliest I have ever seen them at Athelhampton. Our restaurant has a delicious Winter Warmer Menu running weekday lunchtimes until the end of February. A selection of main courses are available for just £5.99, includi

Oddly not a photograph of Athelhampton to start this post. Instead an archive photograph of the Riley-Smith Hall in Tadcaster. I hear you asking why? Well, it’s complicated. In 1890 a Yorkshire solicitor’s daughter, Mary Bromet married Frank Riley-Smith who, with his brother, owned John Smith’s brewery in Tadcaster. Frank died in 1912, and left his considerable wealth and share of the brewery to his wife Mary, who would remarry a few years later. Mary and her new husband, Geo

Despite the freezing weather, visitors have been mesmerised by our gardening team's artful intertwining and pruning of the stunning lime trees in Athelhampton's historic Dorset gardens. Over two weeks of dedicated work (and cold fingers!) our gardening team have prepared these trees for when they come into leaf. Pruning the lime trees in Athelhampton's historic gardens Now that we are open for the 2025 season, we invite you to witness the beauty and craftsmanship of our garde

December has arrived, which means our Festive Afternoon Tea is now being served at Athelhampton's Dorset Restaurant! A Festive Afternoon Tea at Athelhampton's Dorset restaurant Enjoy our festive treats: Turkey, Bacon, Stuffing & Mayo Brioche Roll Brie & Cranberry Finger Sandwich Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Bagel Festive Sausage Roll Dorset Cheddar & Chive Scone Passion Fruit Tartlet Apple Beignet Chocolate Praline Brownie Mini Mince Pie Stollen Scone with Brandy Cream Dorset

Calmer weather at Athelhampton today, the snow, frost, rain and wind of the last week was replaced by a dull grey sky. Athelhampton's Tudor Great Hall The visitors to our Dorset historic house and gardens still explore outside, but at this time of year the manor house is the focal point for many. A candelabra in Athelhampton's Tudor Great Hall, crafted by a local Dorset blacksmith 539 years after William Martyn started building Athelhampton’s Tudor Great Hall it looks absolut