MERLEY HOUSE

Merley House, a striking Georgian manor south of Wimborne Minster, has stood for nearly 300 years. Built with Portland stone, its grand north façade, adorned with Ionic columns and balconies, reflects the vision of Ralph Willett, who purchased the estate in 1751. Willett added the current three-story structure and, in 1772, two wings—one housing an extensive library—though these were later demolished in the early 1800s.

The estate’s history includes an elaborate walled garden, an orangery, and bird gardens that now host events as the Orangery Suite. Merley passed through several owners, including Ivor Guest, 1st Lord of Wimborne, and Angus Valdemar Hambro, who restored the house in the 1920s.

Requisitioned during World War II, the property was later sold in smaller parcels, and the house was converted into flats. In the 1960s, a holiday park on the grounds helped fund restoration, and today, the house serves as a venue for events and conferences.

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Merley House is also known for its hauntings. Visitors report sightings of a spectral Victorian woman near the grand staircase, her presence marked by an eerie chill. A playful spirit, thought to be a child, is said to bring warmth through laughter and footsteps echoing in empty rooms.

Staff have experienced flickering lights, self-closing doors, and the unsettling feeling of being watched.

With its storied past and lingering spirits, Merley House remains a captivating blend of history and mystery—a place where echoes of the past seem to whisper through the halls.