From the Iron Age to the end of the Roman Empire there were workshops at Kimmeridge Bay and along the cliffs where shale and blackstone were made into armlets and jewellery. Shale was also used to make furniture, some of which can be seen in the Dorchester museum.
Smedmore was last sold by Henry Smedmore in to William Wyot, who married into the Clavell family. The acre Smedmore Estate in Purbeck encompasses most of the village of Kimmeridge and is surrounded on the west by Ministry of Defence land.
It takes its name from the Smedmore family who, along with Cerne Abbey, were the main landowners at the time of the Norman Conquest. Smedmore can claim one of the longest continuous descents in Dorset as the Estate has not changed hands by sale for more than six centuries. Henry Smedmore sold his share of the land to a tenant, William Wyot, in During the 15th century the Estate passed through marriage to the Clavell family.
In the Smedmore Estate was inherited, again through marriage, by the Mansel family. The present owner, a sixth generation Mansel, is Eton and Oxford educated Dr Philip Mansel - author of eleven books of history and biography. He is also an established authority on the Ottoman Empire and later French Monarchy. Since taking over from his father, Major J C Mansel, in , Philip has maintained a keen interest in the Estate and planted many trees. In he launched a successful campaign to save the Clavell Tower on the cliffs above Kimmeridge Bay from falling into the sea by relocating it a short distance inland.
Following its relocation Clavell Tower was completely modernised by the Landmark Trust and it is now their most popular holiday property. From the Inner Hall at the centre of the house a splendid early 18th century oak staircase rises to the first floor where there are six elegantly furnished bedrooms, one graced by a magnificent rococo fireplace.
From the west and south-west facing windows there are superb views of Kimmeridge Bay and the surrounding countryside. There are two further bedrooms on the second floor. Very different in style to the other period furnished rooms on the ground floor is the Turkish Room; created by Philip it reflects his keen interest in the Ottoman Empire and is decorated with richly coloured and patterned fabrics, including a beautiful mosque hanging.
Dining Room with more than Furstenberg china plates on the walls - Credit: Archant. Also on the ground floor is the War Room, a small museum added by Philip. Marcia and Juliet were born at Smedmore in and , respectively. On display are the medals they were awarded, personal photographs and letters, above which fittingly hang the national flags of Great Britain and France. Incidentally, the current owner is Dr Philip Mansel, writer and historian, who presents lectures all over the world.
Smedmore is on the Jurassic Coast part of the World Heritage site , and the nearest bay to the house is Kimmeridge Bay. The estate is equidistant between the towns of Weymouth and Bournemouth, although protected from both by the rolling splendour of the Purbeck Hills. There are endless walks around the estate and along the coast, or the manager of the house can arrange any number of activities, from boat trips and watersports, to falconry and horse-riding.
Guests of Smedmore House are able to rent a boathouse on the shores of Kimmeridge Bay for a small additional fee. Smedmore has a civil wedding licence for the garden and three of the rooms within the house. View the Smedmore House Wedding Brochure. Bedroom 1. Bedroom 2. Bedroom 3. Bedroom 4. Bedroom 5. Bedroom 6. Bedroom 7. Bedroom 8. See below availability for this property. Smedmore was originally built in , and its distinctive Georgian bays added in The house was originally owned by the Clavell family, and the current family are direct descendants - they're Mansel by marriage.
We being the touring caravan here and love it. Amazing place. Staff always happy to help. It has a wonderful feel, like being trapped in time. Totally unspoilt. Beautiful surroundings. We stayed at Smedmore on the 4th and 5th of September for our daughter's wedding with family and close friends.
It was absolutely wonderful and a perfect location for a happy and memorable occasion. From the Friday evening meal all the way through to late on the Saturday night and Sunday morning we felt this was the most outstanding and beautiful place.
Even though our numbers were severely curtailed, the intimacy and comfort of Smedmore meant that the occasion was very special indeed. A big thanks to Julie and Steph who were wonderful in ensuring such a successful wedding, one that everyone present will remember with great fondness. Nice quiet spot. Beautiful location. Walking distance to Kimmeridge bay. Quiet site. All facilities for caravans and motorhomes. No toilets or shower block. PAYG wifi.
Just camped here.. We hired Smedmore House for our wedding September It was the prefect venue for us in a gorgeous setting. We hired the house for the weekend so that we could make the most of our wedding weekend.
The eight bedrooms were filled with family and friends and it felt like a home from home - albeit grander!! We were very blessed with the weather and were able to have a relaxed outdoor ceremony in the most beautiful of settings in the walled garden. For our wedding breakfast w e hired a marquee for the front lawn. Julie and her team were so welcoming and friendly and were there if we needed them, otherwise they left us alone.
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