Listed Building record MDO14193 - Bridehead, Littlebredy

Country house constructed 1831-33 incorporating a possible 16th-century building. Rebuilt around 1837 by F P Robinson, and extended westwards by Benjamin Ferrey in 1850's. The north west wing was demolished in the twentieth century. The house has walls of stone and brick, covered in render. There are small projecting corner turrets with blind lancets at ground floor level.

The manor was a possession of Cerne Abbey, apparently until the dissolution, and was granted in part to private ownership in 35 Hen. VIII. In 37 Eliz. I the manor was granted to John Meller. Most of the estate was alienated by his last descendant Ed. Meller who died in1699 at Cheneys, Bucks.

The house is said to have been built by Sir Robt. Meller (1564-1624) with the chief front to the east. In the west window of the "parlour"were many coats of arms of the family, which were removed to Cheneys.In 1798 the Williams Family pruchased the property which is now calledBridehead and have made extensive alterations. <1>

The house was largely rebuilt c. 1837, but incorporates the remains ofa 16th c. building in the front of the E. block. <3>

The house is called Bridehead, as one word. The name Bride Head has never been used locally. Sir Robt Meller's House forms the E. block of the present building, but it has been much altered by the williamsfamily in the 19th century. While the walls of the east block may be of 16th century origin, thereis no visible detail of this date. All the windows are of later date and the house has been battlemented and stuccoed, apparently in the 19th century. Internally the only evidence of age is a 16th century fireplace and the remains of a stone archway, both on the upper floor. <4>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 2, 185-7 (Monograph). SWX1269.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1903 (Map). SWX1540.

[SY 50938878] Bride Head [TI]

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 39 (Monograph). SDO97.

<4> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 31-MAR-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<4.1> Oral: Miss F HR Williams (Co owner and occupier) Bridehead, Little Bredy, 31.3.55 (Verbal communication). SDO19779.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450309 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 27 2025 1:54PM