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Smedmore House & Estate

Smedmore House & Estate is positioned between rolling hills and the sea, two acres of walled flower gardens, orchards, and a Mediterranean garden surround this eighteenth century Dorset seaside manor. There are extensive lawns to the front of the house, with a pretty pond bordered by a wildflower meadow. Two avenues lined with stone urns and more wildflowers lead off from here through the woods with extensive views to Kimmeridge Bay, and to Weymouth and Portland beyond. Local landmark, Clavell Tower is the focal point from many of the viewpoints. At the bottom of the avenues surrounding this Dorset seaside manor is a path through fields, past sphinxes, urns and obelisks, down to Kimmeridge Bay on the Smedmore House & Estate.

The large flat and mown lawn in front of a beautiful Purbeck stone manor house make the most perfect backdrop for any marquee or outdoor event.

To the side of the house there is a big Walled Garden with exotic plants as the walls give shelter to tender species such as banana trees (sometimes with bananas!) The area nearest to the house has flower borders and a lawn which is perfect for croquet. There is also a summer house. Behind the main border there is a wooded area with urns and a tiger’s grave.

Beyond this there are further mellow walled areas with a kitchen garden full of vegetables and an orchard with apple, pear and plum trees.

Events at Smedmore House & Estate

The Estate regularly holds weddings and other events in the grounds. At weekends, it is preferred that accommodation is taken in the house which can sleep up to 24 but during the week, there is no restriction.

Nearby there is also a caravan site for those who want to bring a caravan or motor home. The front lawn has both a water and electricity supply, although any hirer is advised to consider a generator.

The house and garden are very photogenic and a great favourite with photographers and film makers. They have featured in many productions as well as adverts, books and articles.

Also on the Smedmore House & Estate is Kimmeridge Bay and in some circumstances it may be possible to hire areas on the cliffs above the bay for an event.

Kimmeridge Bay is famous for all types of water sports but especially canoeing, surfing, and windsurfing. The water is particularly clear and very good for snorkelling because there is no sand.

The surrounding cliffs and shale ledges provide a great hunting ground for fossils.

Clavells Tower, a local landmark and the inspiration for P.D.James’s murder story, The Black Tower (1975), overlooks Kimmeridge Bay and can be seen from the lawns at Smedmore House. It makes a wonderful focal point at the end of the Avenues. In 2006, the Tower was dismantled and moved back from the cliff edge which had eroded badly. Its been totally restored and is now the Landmark Trusts most popular rental property. The bay was once a haunt of smugglers, and scene of their battles with coast guards. Just around the headland, the next bay is called Brandy Bay, as so much brandy was smuggled there.

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