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Bridehead
Bridehead, an exceptional manor house in West Dorset situated amongst picturesque chalk downland, has been the home of seven generations of the Williams family for over 220 years. The lands of Littlebredy were first documented as Brydian in the Domesday Survey, having been gifted to Cerne Abbey by the Duke of Cornwall in 987. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII, the estate passed through various owners until the Mellor family built the first manor house beside the source of the River Bride in about 1600. The Mellors became absentee owners as time went on, and the house was neglected by farm tenants until the estate was purchased by Robert Williams in 1797.
Robert was descended from a younger son of the Williams family at Herringston, just outside Dorchester, and had made good as a cabinet maker, ship’s upholder, East India Company trader and banker in London before moving back to be closer to his family’s Dorset roots. He and subsequent generations transformed the old farmhouse into a Regency manor house and landscaped the surrounding grassland into a park, damming the river source to form a two-and-a-half-acre lake beside the house, as well as converting Littlebredy into a model village, providing its mediaeval church with one of Dorset’s few spires, and extending the house westwards in a distinctive Gothic Revival style.
Changing family circumstances have resulted in the sale of the Bridehead Estate in 2025, and the forthcoming auction of many of its contents and chattels promises a glimpse into a world of interiors evoking the passage of time. Among the items on offer are oil paintings by Richard Ramsay Reinagle (1775 – 1862) and Adriaen Van De Velde (1636 – 1672). A still life of flowers in a basket by Jacob Marrel (1614 – 1681) dated 1636 can now be found in the drawing room and was once exhibited in the Holburne Museum, Bath.
The furniture on offer includes works by George Bullock and other leading early 19th century designers of the highest quality. In the first case an impressive oak and pollard oak dining table, some 4.5 metres long, is reputed to be after the design commissioned by the British Government for Napoleon’s home in exile on St. Helena.
The family’s eighteenth century trading interests enabled the acquisition of a stunning collection of oriental ceramics, much of which survives for sale in June. Upon entering the hall, the eye is immediately drawn to a captivating sight: a striking pair of Chinese porcelain Famille Rose fish bowls, their vibrant colours and intricate designs a testament to masterful artistry. Elevated with an air of regal sophistication, they rest upon a pair of Regency ebonised and parcel-gilt jardiniere stands. Many smaller items will also be presented, all redolent of the history of a landed family throughout the past two centuries.
The dispersal of a vast family library, encompassing over 1,000 books, represents a significant event for collectors and institutions alike. Among the literary treasures destined for sale are notable botanical and political rarities. A second edition of ‘The Vegetable System’ by the acclaimed English botanist John Hill offers insight into the scientific advancements of its time. Further adding to the historical significance of the collection are volumes 1-9 of "Political Sketches" by the Irish cartoonist John Doyle, whose satirical portrayals of prominent figures are also held within the prestigious National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria & Albert Museum, making these volumes highly sought after pieces.
Duke’s will be conducting the auction sale in their Dorchester saleroom on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th June, with viewing at Bridehead, offering a rare opportunity to experience these remarkable pieces in their original context.
All enquiries about the auction should be referred to bridehead@dukes-auctions.com or on +44(0)1305 265080.
Auction
Thursday 12th & Friday 13th June at 10.30am
at Duke's Fine Art Saleroom, DT1 1GA
Day one: The Principal Contents
Day two: The Library
Viewing
at Bridehead Manor, Littlebredy, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9JA
Entry will be by catalogue only. £30 admits two people.
Saturday 7th June 11am - 4pm
Sunday 8th June 11am - 4pm
Monday 9th June 11am - 4pm
Tuesday 10th June 11am - 4pm
Wednesday 11th June 11am - 4pm
There will be no viewing on either sale day.
Please note:
Access at the Manor is limited with uneven surfaces and steep stairs.
We regret the property is not wheelchair accessible.
To order a catalogue or if you have any enquiries please contact bridehead@dukes-auctions.com or call +44 (0)1305 265080
£30 (plus postage)
View online
Bidding
Live bidding will be available for this auction through this website, The-Saleroom and EasyLive Auction. Please ensure your registration is completed early to avoid disappointment. Commission bidding and Telephone bidding is also available.
Unfortunately, Duke's are unable to offer a postal or delivery service. We are pleased to recommend reputable carriers and can advise on air-freight and other forms of dispatch.
For more information please contact Duke's on +44 (0)1305 265080 or email enquiries@dukes-auctions.com.
Collection
On proof of payment, purchased lots will be available for collection from Bridehead from Friday 13th June to Thursday 19th June from 10am - 4pm, excluding the weekend 14th - 15th June. Whilst we are happy to provide assistance please bring the requisite people required to collect your purchases. All items not collected from Bridehead by 4pm Thursday 19th June will be moved to Sackville-West (Andover) at the buyer's risk and expense of £20 (plus VAT) per lot.
Please note: Collections unavailable on the 12th June.
Specialist Items: Removal of all electrical fittings, garden effects and large furniture is entirely at the buyer's risk and expense. Please note that we will be unable to provide assistance with these items.
Storage Charges
Items removed to Sackville-West in Andover will be available for collection from 9am on Monday 23rd June. All items will incur a minimum transfer to storage charge of £20 (plus VAT) per lot, and a further storage charge of £3 (plus VAT) per lot from this point. These charges will be the sole liability of the purchaser, and will be billed directly to them by Sackville West (Andover). Sackville-West may be willing to adjust their charges if they are instructed by the purchaser to deliver to them. On payment of all sales and storage costs items will be available for collection by appointment from Sackville-West (Andover). These charges are set by Sackville-West., (Andover); we recommend that you contact them directly regarding queries relating to these charges and other matters arising in relation to storage. Staff at the saleroom will be unable to answer questions relating to items that have been removed from Bridehead.
Sackville-West -www.sackvillewest.co.uk - 02080 909988
Virtual Tour
Duke’s are delighted to be offering the contents of Bridehead on behalf of Sir Philip and Lady Catherine Williams. It is rare such an honest and untouched contents appears in today’s market, with fantastic furnishings period to the redesign of the house and exotic treasures accumulated from across the globe. The exterior and furniture suite are both in the romantic early 19th century gothic taste, commissioned from the most important designers of the era. It is to include a desk by George Bullock, in the same design as the one made for the exiled emperor Napoleon at Longwood House, which has never before been rediscovered. A remarkable portrait group tells the story of the Williams family of Bridehead, who started from humble origins and rose through clever business to a level of regal importance, correspondence reveals how King George III valued gifts from the Williams family estates. The sale is likely to attract international interest, Chinese imperial quality porcelain tucked away in the attics, untouched for generations, is going to draw interest from all over the globe. Moreover, the house has a high standing in popular culture, most recently it features in the ITV production of Broadchurch, where it is referred to as Axehampton House, noted for its picturesque lake and waterfall at the centre of the series plot. The sale is an important landmark for the locality, the Williams have a hugely well-respected legacy at Bridehead that won’t be forgotten by its friends and neighbours. Duke’s are proud to be representing the family in this seminal change to the Dorset landscape.
- Garry Batt, Partner
