Wolfeton House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wolfeton House |
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Wolfeton House from the East
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| Location | Dorset |
| OS grid reference | SY 67828 92127 |
| Architectural style(s) | Elizabethan architecture |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 20 September 1954 |
| Reference no. | 1324021 |
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Wolfeton House (sometimes called Wolveton House) is a very old and interesting manor house in Dorset, England. A manor house is a large country home that was once the main residence of a lord or wealthy family. Wolfeton House is found among beautiful water-meadows, not far from where the River Frome and River Cerne join together. It's also close to the village of Charminster. This historic building shows off amazing architecture from the Tudor and Elizabethan periods.
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History of Wolfeton House
The oldest part of Wolfeton House, which forms a compact courtyard, was built around 1480. This means it's over 500 years old! The house has been home to several important families over the centuries. One of the most famous families to live here was the Trenchards, who were very powerful in Dorset during the 1500s.
A Royal Visit in 1506
In January 1506, something very exciting happened at Wolfeton House. Sir Thomas Trenchard, who owned the house then, hosted Philip of Austria and his wife, Queen Joanna of Castile. They were on their way to Spain when a big storm forced their ship to land in England, near Wolfeton.
This unexpected visit led to a famous story about a man named John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford. John Russell was born in a nearby town. He had lived in Spain for some years. Sir Thomas Trenchard asked him to help entertain the royal guests because he could speak Spanish. Philip of Austria was so impressed with John Russell that he recommended him to King Henry VII. This meeting helped John Russell become a favorite of King Henry VIII later on, starting a very important family line in England.
Protecting the Area
In June 2023, there was a plan to build new houses near Wolfeton House. However, Dorset Council decided not to allow the building. This decision helps protect the historic setting and natural beauty around the old manor house.
Exploring the Building
Parts of Wolfeton House that you see today come from a large courtyard house built in the 1500s. The house has a tall, three-story tower on its south side. The very top part of this tower was added around 1862. Next to the tower, there's a wall from the 1500s that leads to an interesting eight-sided tower. This tower was once a garderobe, which was an old-fashioned toilet.
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Inside Wolfeton House
Inside, Wolfeton House is filled with beautiful oak wood panels. You can see many amazing carvings from the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods (the late 1500s and early 1600s). These carvings include figures of Roman Soldiers and even a Briton holding a club.
The main staircase is made of stone and is thought to be very special. It was built in 1580 and has carved figures in its balustrade (the railing). The floor in the Great Chamber, a large main room, is also original from the 1500s. The fireplace in this room has unique carvings, including one of a Native American figure.
The Historic Gatehouse
Wolfeton House also has a grand gatehouse. An inscription on the gatehouse says it was finished in 1534. This gatehouse is two stories tall with an attic. It stands about 30 meters east of the main house.
The gatehouse has two round towers, which are not exactly the same size. Between them is an entrance archway, but it's not perfectly in the middle. Around the door, you can see carvings of a satyr (a mythical creature, part human and part goat) and a woodmouse, both holding staffs. Above the door, there's a decorative shield-like carving from the early 1700s. You can even stay in the gatehouse for holidays through the Landmark Trust.
Wolfeton House on Screen
Wolfeton House has been used as a filming location for TV shows. Some scenes for the historical drama Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light were filmed here. The house was chosen to represent a sad, lonely home for Princess Mary in the show. The film crew liked Wolfeton House because its old, worn look helped create the right atmosphere for the story.
