Historic manor house that featured in Tess of the d’Urbervilles goes on the market for £850,000

A historic 17th century manor house that featured in author Thomas Hardy’s seminal novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles has gone on the market for £850,000.

Woolbridge Manor, in East Stoke, near Wool, Dorset, dates back to the early 17th century and was once owned by the Turberville family.

It is from here that Hardy got the idea for the title of his 1891 book, with the red brick and stone property given the fictitious name of Wellbridge House.

In the novel, newlyweds Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare spend their ill-fated honeymoon in the manor.

Woolbridge Manor, in East Stoke, near Wool, Dorset, dates back to the early 17th century and was once owned by the Turberville family

Woolbridge Manor - infamous location from 'Tess of the D'urbervilles' seen in a sketch created by artist John Everett

Woolbridge Manor – infamous location from ‘Tess of the D’urbervilles’ seen in a sketch created by artist John Everett

It is from here that Hardy got the idea for the title of his 1891 book, with the red brick and stone property given the fictitious name of Wellbridge House

It is from here that Hardy got the idea for the title of his 1891 book, with the red brick and stone property given the fictitious name of Wellbridge House

Gemma Arterton played Tess in the 2008 BBC adaptation of the tragic Hardy heroine

Gemma Arterton played Tess in the 2008 BBC adaptation of the tragic Hardy heroine

During their stay, she confesses to him she is not a virgin having once been raped.

Angel, unable to handle the revelation, leaves her. In her state of anxiety, Tess later kills her attacker and is ultimately hanged for murder.

The house, in the south Dorset countryside, was sold by the Turberville family in 1733 to Henry Drax, an ancestor of Sir Reginald Drax, who Ian Fleming used as inspiration for the Bond villain Hugo Drax in Moonraker.

The Grade II listed, five bedroom manor is currently owned by the Weld family whose Lulworth Estate extends over 20 square miles of the south Dorset countryside.

On the ground floor, there is a reception hall, a drawing room, a sitting room/study, a dining room and a kitchen.   

The first floor boasts a master bedroom with country views and a fireplace, as well as two other bedrooms and a family bathroom.

There are two more bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor. A stone on the entrance porch dates the property to 1635.

Outside, there is a 0.6 acre garden the stretches over three sides of the house.

It features a walled front garden, and there is a thatched shed and a log store at the rear.

The house, in the south Dorset countryside, was sold by the Turberville family in 1733 to Henry Drax, an ancestor of Sir Reginald Drax, who Ian Fleming used as inspiration for the Bond villain Hugo Drax in Moonraker

The house, in the south Dorset countryside, was sold by the Turberville family in 1733 to Henry Drax, an ancestor of Sir Reginald Drax, who Ian Fleming used as inspiration for the Bond villain Hugo Drax in Moonraker

The Grade II listed, five bedroom manor is currently owned by the Weld family whose Lulworth Estate extends over 20 square miles of the south Dorset countryside

The Grade II listed, five bedroom manor is currently owned by the Weld family whose Lulworth Estate extends over 20 square miles of the south Dorset countryside

On the ground floor, there is a reception hall, a drawing room, a sitting room/study, a dining room and a kitchen

On the ground floor, there is a reception hall, a drawing room, a sitting room/study, a dining room and a kitchen

The first floor boasts a master bedroom with country views and a fireplace, as well as two other bedrooms and a family bathroom

The first floor boasts a master bedroom with country views and a fireplace, as well as two other bedrooms and a family bathroom

Outside, there is a 0.6 acre garden the stretches over three sides of the house

Outside, there is a 0.6 acre garden the stretches over three sides of the house

It features a walled front garden, and there is a thatched shed and a log store at the rear

It features a walled front garden, and there is a thatched shed and a log store at the rear

There is also a building called the Chapel Barn by the road, which is used as a garage and storage building.

The property, which is being sold through estate agent Savills, is said to be in need of ‘modernisation and refurbishment’.

A Savills spokesperson said: ‘Woolbridge Manor would now benefit from modernisation and refurbishment, yet offers huge potential for a purchaser to improve and personalise this magnificent home to their own specifications.

The property, which is being sold through estate agent Savills, is said to be in need of 'modernisation and refurbishment'

The property, which is being sold through estate agent Savills, is said to be in need of ‘modernisation and refurbishment’

‘The principal rooms of the house are well proportioned with excellent ceiling heights, and retain many period features.’

Jamie Morten, of Savills Wimborne, added: ‘Woolbridge Manor is a landmark property with fascinating literary connections.

‘The house offers an incredible opportunity to purchase a real slice of history and for the buyer to improve and personalise to their own specifications.’

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