Photo: Smedmore House by Mike Searle, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Smedmore House is a historic house in England, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Smedmore House
Smedmore House stands above Kimmeridge Bay on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, with gardens offering wide views across the sea.
Built around 1620 by Sir William Clavell, the house was partially rebuilt around 1700 and greatly enlarged around 1760, creating its layered Georgian character.
The same family has owned it throughout, preserving its interior of panelled rooms, an elegant drawing room, and a dining room with 18th-century plasterwork.
The house is Grade II* listed and not normally open to the public outside scheduled open days and group bookings.
History of Smedmore House
Sir William Clavell built the original house around 1620, and it was partially rebuilt by Edward Clavell around 1700 before George Clavell greatly enlarged it around 1760. The house is Grade II* listed and has remained in family hands through the generations since, which accounts for the continuity of furniture and portraits still inside it.
Architecture of Smedmore House
The house grew in stages over more than a century, from its early 17th-century origins through a 1700 rebuilding to George Clavell's mid-18th-century enlargement, leaving a layered Georgian character rather than a single unified design. The dining room retains 18th-century plasterwork.
Gardens & grounds at Smedmore House
The gardens are set above Kimmeridge Bay with wide views across the sea and surrounding hills.
Plan your visit to Smedmore House
Nearest station: Corfe Castle (3.1 miles)
Places to visit near Smedmore House
Corfe Castle Museum
View Corfe Castle Museum on heritage mapLulworth Castle
View Lulworth Castle on heritage mapBrownsea Island
View Brownsea Island on heritage mapScaplen's Court museum
View Scaplen's Court museum on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Smedmore House there are 3 historic properties, including 1 historic building, 1 archaeological site and 1 museum, across English Heritage and National Trust sites.
Within 10 miles of Smedmore House there are 8 historic properties, including 6 historic buildings, across English Heritage and National Trust sites.
Within 20 miles of Smedmore House there are 22 historic properties, including 9 historic buildings, 5 historic houses and 4 archaeological sites, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Facts
A Dorset manor built in stages by one family since 1620, perched directly above Kimmeridge Bay.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- England
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