window, Wolveton gatehouse, nr. Dorchester, Dorset, England

although now only a fragment of what was once a much larger house, Wolveton (or Wolfeton) remains one of Dorset's finest manors

it was inherited in 1480 by John Trenchard who soon afterwards began to build a new house. his son, sir Thomas, continued the work, building a courtyard house, the gatehouse was completed by sir Thomas in 1534, the gatehouse towers appear to be even earlier

in the 18th century, the Trenchards lived mainly at their other house, Lytchett Matravers, and Wolveton began to be overlooked - its magnificent collection of armorial stained glass was removed to Lytchett, most of it being broken on the way

Wolveton was bought in 1862 by Mr Weston who, whilst saving the house from ruin, made some rather heavy-handed additions

more recently the property moved into the ownership of colonel and mrs Thimbleby who restored Wolveton and its gatehouse to their former appearance, and since 1994 the Landmark Trust has arranged the letting of the gatehouse for holidays

the Landmark Trust rescues historic buildings and makes them into extraordinary places for holidays

it is a registered charity that relies on the generosity of supporters to rescue buildings at risk - once restored, the income from letting the buildings for holidays pays for their upkeep and secures their future

see: http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/

Wolveton gatehouse

 Wolveton house with the gatehouse on the far right (peeping out from behind the tree)