Athelhampton is one of the finest 15th century manor houses in England set in superb gardens.
The core of the house is the late-15th century hall range built by Sir William Martyn. He was Lord Mayor of London in 1493 and a member of a local family who had acquired the manor in the 14th century.
The hall has survived almost unaltered with a crenellated porch at the service or east end and an oriel window at the upper end.
In the second quarter of the 16th century Robert Martyn added the gabled parlour wing which projects at an unusual angle from the upper end of the hall. In the 17th century the service range which stretches north from the opposite end of the hall was remodelled and heightened. A detached gatehouse enclosed a courtyard to the south until 1862.
On the death of Nicholas Martyn in 1595 the family estates were divided among four daughters and in 1665 the house was sold to Sir Robert Long. The property then fell into decline and was being used as a farmhouse when it was sold to George Wood in 1848.
He restored the hall range but demolished the gatehouse. Members of Thomas Hardy's family worked on the restoration and he immortalised Athelhampton in two of his poems. In 1891 the house was acquired by the antiquarian, Alfred de Lafontaine. He carried out further restoration to the interior and added a new (private) wing to the north of the hall range.
At the same time he engaged Iniago Thomas to create the garden in the form of a series of 'outdoor rooms' inspired by the Renaissance. In 1957 Athelhampton was purchased by Robert Cooke who installed much of the furniture now on view and made further improvements to the gardens. Today this work is continued by his son and his daughter-in-law.
The Hall is entered through a screens passage although the screen is not the original one. The splendid wooden roof has unusual cusped arch braces. The oriel window retains some of the original, richly detailed stained glass. Over the fireplace at the upper end is a large mid-16th century Flemish tapestry. The room also contains a collection of 19th century metalwork including a pair of fire-dogs said to be by A.W.N. Pugin.
The rest of the rooms on view were altered during the 20th century and no longer have the feeling of great age desired by Lafontaine.
The Great Chamber on the ground floor of the 16th century wing was originally the main parlour. The late 16th century style ceiling in this room was created in 1905 and the panelling was added shortly after this date. The windows contain some original stained glass and there is some good pieces of early 18th century furniture.
The East Wing has been restored after a fire damaged the property in November 1992.
Athelhampton House is surrounded by one of England's great gardens. The 20 acres of gardens, designed by Inago Thomas in the 1890s, are encircled by the River Piddle.
There are eight walled gardens with fountains and pavilions. These include collections of tulips, clematis and lilies in season. Through each archway is a view of a new garden with the glistening water of numerous fountains. There is also a balustraded terrace, statues, obelisks and magnificent vistas through gate piers.
The Great Court has twelve giant clipped yew pyramids set around the pool by the great terrace. The lawn to the west has an early-16th century circular dovecote.
On the south terrace tender shrubs in pots are backed by a vast 'Magnolia grandiflora' and a Banksian rose. Pear trees cover the old walls and support roses and clematis.
2008: Mar-Oct: Sun-Thur 10:30-17:00; Nov-Feb: Sun only 10:30-17:00. House opens at 11:00, last entry 16:30 or dusk if earlier.
Tel: 01305 848363 Althelhampton House & Gardens Website
