EDO6586 - West Lodge, Iwerne Minster, Dorset; desk-based assessment 2011

An assessment of West Lodge, a Grade I listed building situated in Cranborne Chase was commissioned by Tim Reeve of Dalby Reeve on behalf of the owner, Mr Donald Mackenzie in relation to proposed alterations. The history of the building was traced to its 17th century origins as a gamekeepers’ house. It was rebuilt in the 1730s/1740s as a high status hunting lodge and the design attributed to John Pitt of Encombe, Purbeck, a ‘gentleman architect’. Later alterations in the 19th century removed almost all of the original design. A stable block was dated to the 18th century. The report concluded that the Lodge and to an extent the Stable block were highly significant historically and may have been the last surviving hunting lodge in Cranborne Chase. Its significance also relates to the design of John Pitt although this was compromised by the subsequent alterations.