Last weekend, we went to a wedding at Athelhampton House and Gardens, which I covered here: John and Alice's English Country House Wedding. Athelhampton House is near Dorchester in Dorset, England. A house on the same site was mentioned in the Domesday Book, but the current house was built in the 15th century, and it has over 160 acres of gardens. Thomas Hardy was very familiar with the house as his father worked on the house. The house is open to the public and for private events, and it has also been used in films and television. (It was used in an episode of Doctor Who.) The house is also rumoured to be haunted. For more information about the house, visit the official website here: http://www.athelhampton.co.uk/.
Althelhampton House
One of the gardens, quite near the house, contains pyramid-shaped yew trees. In between a couple of the trees are hidden benches for privacy. This was one of the most unique gardens.
Pyramid-tree garden
Many of the gardens had a private feeling as they were secluded behind walls and arched doorways, within different levels. Each had its own feature point, such as a fountain or a sculpture.
Gardens
The spring blossoms were out in bloom as well as spring flowers.
I loved this wooded area with bluebells beneath a row of arched trees.
Bluebell path
There is also a bird house building. I'm not entirely sure what it was for, but it contained a cement trough and has a very small doorway. There's openings for birds to get inside, and there were a couple of birds inside it. (Update: This building is a dovecote; it is a place for birds such as pigeons and doves to nest as they were used in older times for their meat and eggs.)
Dovecote
The main hall contained many gargoyles, such as the one pictured below.
Gargoyle - Athelhampton House
The interior of the great hall was beautiful with timber roof, an organ, tapestries, and pictures.
Great Hall - Athelhampton House
Stained glass was a common find too.
Stained glass
The rooms were decorated and contained furnishings, but I did not look around too much. There was apparently a wine cellar and several bedrooms upstairs. I peeked in a couple of them but did not long.
Room in Athelhampton House
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