Secret Houses of West Dorset

Enjoy exclusive tours of two exquisite houses hidden deep in rural Dorset with wonderful features and delightful gardens and with time to visit two magnificent local churches in Rampisham and Cattistock.

Discover Grade I Pugin Hall designed as a rectory by Augustus Pugin and built in 1846 for Revd. Frederick Rooke. It is a characteristic and highly influential example of one of Pugin's smaller, professional middle-class houses and considered to be the most complete example of his domestic architecture. It has an exceptionally well-preserved interior with features of high quality and is almost complete in every detail. It is also unique as being his only commission for which a full set of detailed plans and specifications survive. The current owners have maintained the integrity of the building whilst heavily renovating the gardens and adding two additional stable blocks. Our owner-led tour will include the principal rooms with the chance to explore the substantial and beautiful gardens. 

Font cover, Cattistock church © Ydigresse, CC BY-SA 3.0 <;, via Wikimedia Commons

We will also visit the parish churches of Cattistock and Rampisham. The latter’s oldest extant fabric is the base of the tower which probably dates from the early 14th century and was a chantry chapel with an altar to the ground floor. Pugin designed the new chancel which incorporates the surviving 14th century fittings. Pevsner records Cattistock church as the masterpiece among 19th century Dorset churches, restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott between 1855-7 who removed the gallery and installed a new west window, known as the Jesse window. The Nave is dominated by a magnificent arch and the chancel is decorated with Minton tiles and stone and wood carving by William Brindley. Later a tower, porch, north aisle and vestry were added by his son George Gilbert. 

Later visit Wraxall Manor, a Grade II* manor built in about 1630, most probably for William Lawrence Jr. when he purchased part of the estate of Wraxall from Sir John Stawell after the forfeiture of his property during the Civil War. The current owners have overseen extensive renovations, installing a new cupola over the main central staircase and changes to the windows, porch and loggia.

Tickets £85, including a two-course lunch at the Fox and Hounds Inn, Cattistock. Lunch options to be made available to attendees in September 2024

Header image © Mike Searle / Pugin's Hall Rampisham