Athelhampton nestles in the Piddle valley, between Tolpuddle and Puddletown, and is easily reached from the A35 main road. Athelhampton House and Gardens provides an excellent historical experience and is a great day out for all the family.

The country house sits in a very picturesque area of Dorset, making it perfect for special occasions, in particular as a wedding venue.

The ancient manor of Athelhampton has been continually lived in since Saxon times. The manor is mentioned in the Domesday book. The current house was largely constructed in Tudor times, with the Great Hall built by Sir William Martyn in 1485, considered one of the finest examples of Tudor architecture in England. The house was extended in Elizabethan times when the West Wing and Kitchen Wings were added.

The Kitchen opened to the public for the first time in 2022.

In 1891, Athelhampton was purchased by the young Victorian gentleman, Alfred Cart de Lafontaine who created the fabulous gardens that surround the house and restored the house taking advice from his friend and mentor Thomas Hardy. The Kitchen Garden began it’s 10 year restoration in 2014 and is being restored to it’s former glory with fruit trees, vines, herb borders and vegetable beds to provide produce for the restaurants, the Kitchen Garden will continue to evolve over the next few years.

If wandering through this beautiful site and learning about the house’s former residents makes you hungry, be sure to stop for a bite to eat in the Coach House. With a fully licensed bar, comfortable lounge area and full table service throughout, they offer a relaxing dining experience.
They offer a range of refreshments throughout the day including cakes and pastries, lunches, afternoon tea, and cream teas.
The Long Hall Restaurant is open on Sundays throughout the Winter months serving Sunday carvery.
All food is produced on site using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.