Fiddleford Manor is a medieval manor house located near Sturminster Newton, Dorset. It is thought to have been originally built around 1370 for William Latimer, the sheriff of Somerset and Dorset, after the manor passed to him in 1355.
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Fiddleford Manor is a 14th century manorial hall making up half the length of the total building. The other half is privately occupied and has it's own entrance. Access to the hall is a short walk from a free car park and it is possible (with a little effort) to visit in a wheelchair. The Manor has been sympathetically restored and boasts a fine timber roof structure, mostly original and viewable from a gallery. Anyone with an interest in old buildings would be pleased with this one. Adjacent to the Manor is Fiddleford Mill, closed for safety reasons and not operating. It's said to be an 18th century building on the site of a much older mill. It has an inscription built into the front wall, said to be in honour of a long deceased miller:
"He that wyll have here any thynge don Let him com friendly he shal be welcom A frynd to the owner and enemy to no man Pass all here freely to com when they can For the tale of trothe I do always professe Miller be true disgrace not thy vest If falsehood appere the fault shal be thine And of sharpe ponishment think me not unkind Therefore to be true yt shall the behove [to] please god chefly [that...
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Fiddleford Manor is one of those perfectly formed places that are a joy to visit. Just off the A357 to Sturminster Newton this English Heritage site has car parking and is open from to 10-4pm each day, with free entry. The path to the manor can get very muddy so be prepared. The manor is small but had a number of interesting features including wall paintings, gallery and superb roof timbers. There are good information boards dotted about which illustrate the original extent of the house and also what lies next door where the house becomes a private property. The River Stour runs behind the site and adds a wonderful backdrop to the house. Don't miss this if you are...
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It's a fascinating old building owned by English Heritage, but it was tricky to find and there were no staff or guides and limited information about the building. I had to look at it and work most it out for myself. It wasn't the best experience, but I am pleased to have seen this piece of history. It's a little spooky too if there...
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