Historic Houses in Dorset

Tudor house originated by Sir William Martyn, Lord Mayor of London, in 1480's. Later additions from Victorian era. Panelled Tudor rooms, great hall still with its half-timbered roof, original Tudor windows. Wonderful old wooden furniture collection.
Garden: The fine Grade 1 gardens of Athelhampton House date from 1891 and contain 12 world-famous 30-foot topiary pyramids as well as collections of roses, lilies, tulips, magnolias and clematis. more...
Athelhampton, Dorchester, Dorset, England, DT2 7LG

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 5.5 m NE Dorchester, on A35
Website: Athelhampton House
Email: enquiry@athelhampton.co.uk
Phone: 01305 848 363
Fax: 01305 848 135
Location map
OS Grid SY771 942
Photo Credit: Joanne Paul
Nearest attractions and accommodation 
   Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

'Romantic and Picturesque' both descriptively and architecturally, the L-shaped Highcliffe was built in 1835 by Lord Stuart de Rothesay to incorporate carved medieval stonework and stained glass from France and elsewhere. Largely unrestored internally. Coastal grounds.
Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset, England, BH23 4LE

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: off the A337
Website: Highcliffe Castle
Email: castleman@christchurch.gov.uk
Phone: 01425 278 807
Fax: 01425 280 423
Location map
OS Grid SZ204931
Nearest attractions and accommodation 
   Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

House begun 1663, much altered by Sir Charles Barry in mid 1800's. Paintings by Van Dyck and Rubens among others. Marble staircase, state rooms, wood panelling.
Garden: Ongoing restoration and expansion of the gardens at Kingston Lacey are making for an exciting period in the centuries-long history of the property. The Edwardian Japanese Tea Garden is now complete, and visits over the next few years will reward the viewer with Flowering Cherry and Maple groves, a Bowl garden, and a Quarry garden featuring azaleas and rhododendrons. Extensive park and woodlands; three child-friendly play areas. more...
Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England, BH21 4EA

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 1.5 m W Wimbourne Minster, off B3082
Website: Kingston Lacy
Email: kingstonlacy@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 01202 883 402
Fax: 01202 882 402
National Trust
Location map
OS Grid ST980 019
Photo Credit: Joanne Paul
Nearest attractions and accommodation 
   Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Restored 1608 mock medieval castle. The round towers at the corners of the straightforward square building rise to four stories, providing excellent views of the surrounding countryside and coast. Lulworth Castle was gutted by fire in 1929, but in the 1970s an ambitious rebuilding plan took place with the aid of English Heritage, allowing the exterior of the castle to be restored to the condition it enjoyed the day before the fire. more...
East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, England, BH20 5QS

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: on the B3070
Website: Lulworth Castle
Phone: 0845 450 1054
Location map
OS Grid SY854 820
Nearest attractions and accommodation 
   Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Erected by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 on the site of a medieval hunting lodge in the Deer Park of Sherborne Old Castle, Sherborne Castle was acquired by Sir John Digby in 1617; his family has lived here ever since. The interior is graced with splendid furniture, porcelain and art collections. 'Capability' Brown grounds.
Garden: 'Capability' Brown was responsible for the landscaping of the 40 acres of grounds around the 50-acre lake at Sherborne. Fine specimen trees, spring bulbs, follies. more...
Sherborne, Dorset, England, DT9 5NR

Attraction Type: Historic House
Website: Sherborne Castle
Email: enquiries@sherbornecastle.com
Phone: 01935 813 182
Fax: 01935 816 727
Historic Houses Association
Location map
OS Grid ST646 164
Photo Credit: Joanne Paul
Nearest attractions and accommodation 
   Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

The medieval section of Wolfeton house is flanked by unmatched towers, while the Elizabethan addition stretches the building out into a solid manor house with fine plasterwork and panelling.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, DT2 9QN

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 1.5 miles from Dorchester towards Yeovil
Email: kthimbleby@wolfeton.freeserve.co.uk
Phone: 01305 263 500
Location map
OS Grid SY678 921
Nearest attractions and accommodation 
   Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts