Athelhampton is one of the finest 15th Century houses in England, containing many magnificently furnished rooms including The Great Hall of 1485 and the newly opened Library. The glorious Grade I gardens, dating from 1891, contain the world-famous topiary pyramids, fountains, the River Piddle and collections of tulips, magnolias, roses, clematis and lilies in season.

The Great Hall is one of the finest examples of 15th Century domestic architecture in the country. The timbered roof remains substantially as it was when it was built, in 1485. The formal and architectural are balanced by woodland and riverside scenes. The formal gardens within the ham stone walls were designed by Francis Inigo Thomas and built by Alfred Cart de Lafontaine between 1891-1899. All through the gardens are water features with ponds and fountains and the River Piddle. The Great Court, contains the world famous pyramids. The yew trees are now thirty feet high and are over 100 years old. The view of the pyramids from the Terrace across to the house is spectacular.

The Corona is in the Elizabethan manner, with tall obelisks reaching up from walls which are alternately curving up and down. The lead vase, into which the fountain falls, is in the manner of William Kent. There is a blue and white theme to this garden with lavender in the height of summer. Disabled access is to the ground floor and gardens only.

Thomas Hardy & Athelhampton "Athelhall" Thomas Hardy’s father, a builder, was involved in restoration works to the Great Hall and West Wing roofs in the 19th Century. It was during these times that Thomas Hardy himself first visited Athelhampton and at the age of 19 he painted a water colour of the south front with the gate-house (demolished in 1862). Hardy often visited Athelhampton with his first wife Emma to see the Wood-Homers who lived at Athelhampton from 1848-91 Hardy was also lunching at Athelhampton with his second wife, Florence as guests of the then owner Alfred Cart de Lafontaine when news broke that World War I had been declared on 4th August 1914. He noted in his diary that all present panicked because no-one had laid a stock of food! The Church of St John's, Athelhampton was built whilst Hardy was working with the Dorchester architect John Hicks and Hardy’s cousin Tryphena Sparks worked at the school opposite. Later Hardy wrote the short story The Waiting Supper which is set in the house and grounds. The poem The Children and Sir Nameless refers to the tombs of the Martyns who built Athelhampton in 1485. Also a sad poem The Dame of Athelhall.