If Athelhampton looks familiar it is probably because you have seen it before in a movie. This is the location for the ghost story, “The House at Green Knowe,” starring Dame Maggie Smith. Athelhampton was built in 1485 by Sir William Martyn and is one of the finest Tudor houses in southwest England, located just outside Dorchester. Today it is open to the public and there are some fascinating rooms to view including the magnificent Great Hall. There are beautiful gardens here too with pyramid shaped yew trees and a river walk. In fact the writer Thomas Hardy lived nearby and wrote poetry about the house. I also recommend the restaurant which is located in a revamped coach house and serves delicious locally sourced food. It is usually busy because the locals know where to find good food.
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Athelhampton: A Fine Fifteenth-Century Manor House
If Athelhampton looks familiar it is probably because you have seen it before in a movie. This is the location for the ghost story, “The House at Green Knowe,” starring Dame Maggie Smith. Athelhampton was built in 1485 by Sir William Martyn and is one of the finest Tudor houses in southwest England, located just outside Dorchester. Today it is open to the public and there are some fascinating rooms to view including the magnificent Great Hall. There are beautiful gardens here too with pyramid shaped yew trees and a river walk. In fact the writer Thomas Hardy lived nearby and wrote poetry about the house. I also recommend the restaurant which is located in a revamped coach house and serves delicious locally sourced food. It is usually busy because the locals know where to find good food.
