Waterston Manor, Puddletown, Dorset is a manor house with 17th century origins, that was extensively rebuilt after a fire in 1863 and remodelled in 1911. The manor was the inspiration for Weatherbury Farm in Thomas Hardy's novel, Far from the Madding Crowd. It is a Grade I listed building.
| Waterston Manor | |
|---|---|
 Waterston Manor | |
| Location | Waterston, Puddletown, Dorset, England |
| Coordinates | 50°45′21″N 2°22′36″W / 50.7559°N 2.3766°W |
| OS grid reference | SY 73529 95207 |
| Built | 17th Century |
| Rebuilt | 1863 |
| Restored | 1911 |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Designated | 26 January 1956 |
| Reference no. | 1119080 |
  Location in Dorset | |
History
editThe house was built in the early 17th century, when the manor was owned by the Earls of Suffolk.[1] In 1641, it was sold to Sir John Strangways.[1] It remained in the possession of the Strangways, who in 1756 became Earls of Ilchester, until 1911 when it was sold to Captain Gerald Carter.[2]
The gardens were laid out by Percy Richard Morley Horder when he undertook remodelling of the house in 1911.[3]
The house was Hardy's inspiration for Weatherbury Farm in his novel Far From the Madding Crowd.[4]
It is now owned by Katharine Butler,[5] who, along with her siblings, was involved in a lengthy court case regarding the Chinese porcelain collection assembled by their father, diplomat Sir Michael Butler.[6]
Description
editThe house is of two storeys, with an attic, and is constructed of ashlar and brick.[7] The south front remains predominantly of 17th century construction, while the east front dates from the 19th century rebuilding following the fire.[8] The interiors are almost entirely of the 19th and 20th centuries.[9]
The gate piers, the stables, and some of the garden walls have their own Grade II listings.[10][11][12]
Notes
edit- ^ a b Newman & Pevsner 2002, pp. 441–443.
- ^ "Waterston Manor – 1000725". Historic England. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ "Waterston Manor". Parksandgardens.org. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ Bullen 2013, p. 20.
- ^ "Open day at Waterston Manor with a 'Ming Vase' treasure hunt – Places – Dorset". Dorsetmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ "Butler & Anor v Butler & Anor [2016] EWHC 1793 (Ch) (20 July 2016)". Bailii.org. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ Good Stuff (10 March 1987). "Entrance Gate Piers to Waterston Manor – Puddletown – Dorset – England". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ "WATERSTON MANOR – 1119080". Historic England. 26 January 1956. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ Good Stuff (26 January 1956). "Waterston Manor – Puddletown – Dorset – England". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ Good Stuff (10 March 1987). "Entrance Gate Piers to Waterston Manor – Puddletown – Dorset – England". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ Good Stuff (10 March 1987). "Stables, 50 M South West of Waterston Manor – Puddletown – Dorset – England". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ Good Stuff (10 March 1987). "Two Garden Walls at Waterston Manor, Extending Froom the Gate House to the Main Entrance Gateway – Puddletown – Dorset – England". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
Sources
edit- Newman, John; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2002). Dorset. The Buildings of England. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-09598-8.
- Bullen, J.B. (2013). Thomas Hardy: The World of His Novels. Frances Lincoln. ISBN 978-0-7112-3275-4.