Pictures of Athelhampton

in the county of Dorset

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About Athelhampton

For outstanding quintessentially English towns and showcase villages the county of Dorset has a goodly share. It abounds in a superb blend of fine Tudor houses and thatched cottages of enviable charm. The village of Athelhampton has a harmonious display of both, with the stylish Athelhampton House ranking as one of the finest examples of Tudor architecture in England.

Athelhampton lies close to the little River Piddle which almost entirely encircles Athelhampton House which was built in the 15th-century by Sir William Martyn who was granted the lands and a license to build upon them by King Henry VII in the year 1483. He began the house around 1485. Since then, either by succession or purchase the house has many owners, the most recent being Patrick Cooke who took over the running of the estate in 1995.

This is a home of quite magnificent proportions, the beauty of the glowing stone exterior is matched only by the intricate, decorative work to the stunningly furnished interior. In the Great Hall the timbered roof remains much as it was when it was built. Here, the focal point is a massive chandelier dating back to 1756 and a lovely Flemish tapestry. In the Library there is Oak panelling from late in the 19th-century and a handsome Marble bust of Queen Victoria. The Dining Room has fascinating furniture and the beams and cornices show fine carving from the 15th-century. In the State Bedroom there is a truly magnificent tester bed belong to the period of Charles I. Other rooms include the King's Ante-Room, Great Chamber and curiously, the wine cellar is open to public view. There are a number of other rooms, all full of interest and splendour.

In the grounds there are statues, an ancient dove-cot, beautiful yews, sweeping lawns, lovely roses and herbaceous borders. An enchanting little stream and a waterfall complete the magical back-drop for this superb historic house. Interestingly, the place was mentioned in the Doomsday Book and Thomas Hardy painted a water colour of the house. Given its great age Athelhampton House is not without a fascinating stories of the people who have lived in it, there are colourful legends of ghostly and mysterious deeds all of which adds a measure of excitement to your visit. Both house and gardens are open to the public.

Places to visit include; Thomas Hardy's Cottage NT, Kingston Maurward Gardens, Monkey World, Clouds Hill NT, Portland Harbour and Chesil Bank Nature Reserve.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Athelhampton

Athelhampton House	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)	Pictures
Hardy's Cottage	(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction W)	Pictures
Clouds Hill	(3.8 miles, 6.0 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Max Gate	(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Roman Town House	(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
The Keep Military Museum	(5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction W)	Pictures
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre	(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Maiden Castle	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction SW)	Pictures
The Cerne Giant	(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Durdle Door	(8.9 miles, 14.2 km, direction S)	Pictures
Lulworth Castle	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Lulworth Cove	(9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
Sea Life Park, Weymouth	(9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction SW)	Pictures
The Nine Stones	(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Nothe Fort	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction SW)	Pictures

All attractions in Athelhampton
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Recommended towns near Athelhampton

Briantspuddle, a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (2.8 miles, 4.4 km, direction E)
This remarkable village owes much to the agricultural experiment carried out by Sir Ernest Debenham during the years between the two World Wars.
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Higher Bockhampton, in the county of Dorset (3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction W)
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Dorchester, a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset (5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction SW)
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Milton Abbas, a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction NE)
Milton Abbas is a superb thatched village which has the distinction of being the first planned village of its kind in England.
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Osmington, in the county of Dorset (7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction SW)
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Cerne Abbas, in the county of Dorset (7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction NW)
Famous for its huge chalk 'rude' giant, Cerne Abbas is a lovely ancient village in Dorset.
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West Lulworth, in the county of Dorset (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction S)
One of the most visited geological areas of Britain, Lulworth Cove has recently been placed into the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline.
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Sydling St Nicholas, in the county of Dorset (9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction W)
This is a particularly scenic village lying deep in a chalk-stream valley between open downs. Every approach to it is beautiful, whether crossing the hills from Cerne Abbas or Maiden Newton, or coming up the waters of the River Cerne between meadows flooded with spring lambs and ponies.
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Minterne Magna, in the county of Dorset (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction NW)
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Bryanston, in the county of Dorset (9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction NE)
The town was initially the town of Brian de Lisle, a Baron at the court of King John.
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Blandford Forum, a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset (10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction NE)
Utterly delightful, a town of matchless elegance, of quintessentially English beauty, are but a few of the attributes to the fine Market town on the River Stour.
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Weymouth, in the county of Dorset (10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction SW)
Weymouth is one of the most finest and famous of all England's seaside resorts, having first been used by King George III to try and help cure his nervous disorder by bathing in the sea.
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Sturminster Marshall, a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (11.8 miles, 19.1 km, direction E)
Sturminster Marshall is famous for its beautiful White Corn Mill and for the magnificent eight arched bridge spanning the River Stour.
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Langton Herring, in the county of Dorset (12.0 miles, 19.4 km, direction SW)
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Furzebrook, in the county of Dorset (12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction SE)
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Nearby travel help

Moreton Station	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction S)
Dorchester South Station	(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction SW)
Bournemouth Airport	(21.9 miles, 35.2 km, direction E)
M27 Junction 1	(34.4 miles, 55.4 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 25	(37.3 miles, 60.1 km, direction NW)
Southampton Airport	(45.0 miles, 72.3 km, direction E)
Athelhampton to London	(109.3 miles, 175.8 km, direction NE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Athelhampton

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Athelhampton center
Yellowham Farmhouse	(2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction W)
Kings Arms Hotel	(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction W)
The Wessex Royale Hotel	(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction SW)
Little Court	(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction W)
Hotel Rembrandt	(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SW)
Letchworth Guest House	(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction SW)
Award Guest House	(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SW)
The Sun Inn	(10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction SW)
Best Western Hotel Prince Regent	(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction SW)
Russell Hotel	(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction SW)
All hotels in Athelhampton