Wolfeton House — Land & Legacy

Wolfeton House is a Grade I listed historic house in Dorset, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history and architecture, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Wolfeton House

Wolfeton House is a Grade I listed Tudor and Elizabethan manor near Dorchester in Dorset, built in stages from the 15th century onward.

The gatehouse carries an inscription recording its completion in 1534.

The house's small chapel has no electric light and can only be viewed by candlelight.

It opens to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between June and September.

History of Wolfeton House

The oldest surviving part of Wolfeton House, its courtyard range, dates from about 1480. The gatehouse was finished in 1534, as its inscription panel records, and the house was further embellished around 1560 in the Elizabethan taste, giving it the layered medieval and Tudor character seen today.

Architecture of Wolfeton House

The gatehouse stands two storeys high with an attic, flanked by two round towers of differing sizes and set beside an older pair of unmatched towers and an entrance archway. Inside, the house retains carved oak panelling, decorative plaster ceilings, grand fireplaces and a stone great staircase unusual for a house of its date.

Worth knowing

The house's small chapel has never had electric light installed and can only be viewed by candlelight, a detail that still surprises visitors.

Plan your visit to Wolfeton House

Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Dorchester West Rail Station (1.3 miles)

Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from June to September; check official website for current hours.

Admission

Free entry to Historic Houses members (show valid membership card)

Is this your property? Update this listing

Places to visit near Wolfeton House

Max Gate

historic building 2.1 miles

View Max Gate on heritage map

Maiden Castle

archaeological site 2.3 miles

View Maiden Castle on heritage map

Thomas Hardy's Cottage

historic building 3.1 miles

View Thomas Hardy's Cottage on heritage map

Nine Stones

archaeological site 4.3 miles

View Nine Stones on heritage map

Winterbourne Poor Lot Barrows

archaeological site 5.6 miles

View Winterbourne Poor Lot Barrows on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Wolfeton House there are 4 historic properties, including 2 historic buildings and 2 archaeological sites, across English Heritage and National Trust sites.

2 English Heritage

2 National Trust

2 Historic building

2 Archaeological site

See these 4 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Wolfeton House there are 14 historic properties, including 5 historic buildings, 5 archaeological sites and 3 historic houses, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.

7 English Heritage

4 National Trust

3 Historic Houses

5 Historic building

5 Archaeological site

3 Historic house

1 Chapel

See these 14 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Wolfeton House there are 30 historic properties, including 12 historic buildings, 7 archaeological sites and 5 historic houses, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.

13 English Heritage

10 National Trust

6 Historic Houses

1 Churches Conservation Trust

12 Historic building

7 Archaeological site

5 Historic house

2 Castle