Athelhampton House and gardens is a place we love to visit. We've been there several times and it's still one of our favourite Dorset attractions.

A magnificent tudor manor house, privately owned, dating from the 15th Century. The house is partly open to the public and has some beautifully decorated rooms. There's a snooker room, library, great hall, wine cellar and various other rooms to look around.

The gardens surrounding the house are beautifully laid out. There's a river (the river piddle) running through it. The gardens (some of them walled) also contain ponds, water fountains, statues and a dovecote. And there's also a river/nature walk for the adventurous and a 160 acre deer park to look at too.

And after you've walked around the house and gardens, you can relax and treat yourself to a cream tea and lunch in the restaurant!

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