Bardolf Manor, a historic 11-bedroom country house in Puddletown, Dorset, England, has been listed for sale at £1.5 million (approximately $1.9 million USD). The property has remained in the same family, the Wood Homer family, for 131 years and is noted for its alleged connections to the renowned Victorian novelist Thomas Hardy.
According to estate agents Symonds & Sampson, the manor has generated significant interest and is expected to go under offer soon. The agents highlighted the property's unique history, having been in the same ownership since its construction in 1895, retaining many original features, and its association with Hardy.
Thomas Hardy, author of "Far From the Madding Crowd," is said to have been a frequent visitor to Bardolf Manor, which was the home of his friend George Wood Homer. The connection between Hardy and George Wood Homer is believed to stem from their fathers' and uncles' involvement with Athelhampton House, a nearby Tudor manor. Hardy's father worked as a stonemason for George Wood Homer's uncle, and the young Thomas Hardy himself contributed to the design of a church at Athelhampton.
Bardolf Manor itself features period details such as fireplaces, stained glass windows, and sandstone walls. The property also includes a church that is said to have been designed by Hardy. However, selling agents have noted that the manor requires full refurbishment.
The estate spans nearly ten acres and includes a separate four-bedroom cottage, a garage, extensive gardens with a walled garden and fruit trees, a pool house with an indoor swimming pool, and a former tennis court.
The main house offers over 11,800 square feet of accommodation, with a reception hall, drawing room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, office, and garden room on the ground floor. The first floor contains six bedrooms and three bathrooms, while the second floor has five bedrooms. The manor is not a listed building, which agents suggest adds to its appeal for potential buyers looking to customize the property.
While Athelhampton House is considered an inspiration for Hardy's novel "Far From the Madding Crowd," Bardolf Manor itself is not thought to have directly inspired any of his writings. The property's current owners, Hugo and Caroline Wood Homer, passed away last year at the ages of 94 and 90, respectively, leading to the decision to sell. Estate agents anticipate the property will appeal to those seeking a substantial home with land, potentially for equestrian use, offering a chance to modernize and reconfigure the manor for contemporary living.