Ashcombe House, Country house in Berwick St John, England
The estate sits within the rolling countryside of Cranborne Chase and includes an orangery with five bays attached to its eastern wing. Woodland, open grassland and several outbuildings spread across the grounds, while a number of cottages serve as holiday lets.
A lawyer built the original house in 1686, before reconstruction in 1740 gave it its current form. The interior was reworked in 1754 by an architect who gave it a more refined design.
Previous ownership by artists and creative professionals has shaped the character of the estate, which remains visible in the gardens and interior design today. Weekend guests experience the quiet surroundings in the same way generations have valued it as a retreat.
The property sits in open countryside with limited public access, so arriving by car makes orientation easier. Visitors should contact the estate manager to confirm cottage availability before planning their stay.
A renowned photographer designed the gardens during his time here in the 1930s and 1940s, personally selecting many of the plants. This arrangement still shapes parts of the grounds today and gives them a particular character.
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