Athelhampton House & Gardens Responds to UK Minimum Wage Rise While Keeping Admission Affordable

Sophy, the Head Gardener at Athelhampton

As the National Minimum Wage rises to £12.71 this week, millions of UK workers will see an increase in pay. At Athelhampton House and Gardens, a historic Dorset visitor attraction, the change is welcomed, but comes at a time of rising costs across the heritage and hospitality sector.

“We believe in paying our team fairly while keeping Athelhampton accessible to visitors,” said Owen Davies, Estate Manager. “The house and gardens depend on their skill and dedication, and that should always be properly recognised.”

Unlike many historic houses, Athelhampton operates with a fully employed team and does not rely on volunteers. This ensures a consistent standard of care across both the Tudor house and its Grade I listed gardens, which require careful, year round maintenance.

The estate has also taken significant steps to reduce its exposure to rising energy costs. Following major investment, Athelhampton no longer relies on fossil fuels, helping to shield the business from ongoing volatility in energy markets.

However, other costs continue to rise. “As much as we support higher wages, we are seeing increasing costs in materials, maintenance, and day to day operations, particularly in the gardens,” Owen Davies explained. “To balance that, we may need to take a more measured approach to new features and investment in the short term.”

In a region rich with historic houses and gardens, Athelhampton continues to stand out for combining quality with accessibility. Open year round, the estate offers visitors access to more than 20 historic rooms, five acres of formal gardens, and eight ponds and fountains, with guided house tours included at no extra cost.

Despite these pressures, Athelhampton remains committed to keeping admission affordable. “We know our visitors are feeling the same pressures, from rising living costs to wider global uncertainty,” he added. “Our focus is on maintaining quality and experience without simply passing those increases on.”

As wage increases take effect across the UK, Athelhampton reflects a broader challenge facing heritage attractions: supporting staff, managing rising costs, and continuing to deliver a high quality visitor experience while remaining accessible to all.