A GEORGIAN manor house will opens its doors to visitors – to raise money for a Dorset hospice charity.

Smedmore House and gardens, near Kimmeridge, will be open from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday, June 10, rto raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare.

Money raised from the event will help the charity continue to provide specialist care for adults in Dorset living with a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones.

Admission to the garden will be £6 on the door, with house tours available for an additional fee. Children under 16 are free.

The day will also feature vintage cars, cream teas, and a variety of stalls and activities including traditional games, while music will be provided by Swanage Town Band.

House tours will be conducted by the owner of Smedmore House, well-known historian Dr Philip Mansel, who will be joined by members of his family, who are also very knowledgeable about the house’s history and contents.

“We are delighted to welcome back Weldmar, working with them to support their vital work through fundraising at our Open Day in June,” he said.

“We are committed to supporting Weldmar, especially Weldmar at Home. Weldmar’s hospice at home service recently launched and is now being established in the Purbeck area, providing the highest standards of care, day and night for patients and their loved ones.”

The original Smedmore House was constructed in about 1610, with the Queen Anne garden façade and elegant Georgian bays added in the 1700s.

The house contains a variety of interesting objects including a chair that was used by Napoleon while on St Helena.

Meanwhile, the grounds of the house contain two acres of walled flower gardens, orchards, and a Mediterranean garden.

April Whitehead, major gifts and partnerships lead at Weldmar, said: “It is wonderful that Smedmore House are hosting an open house and gardens event for us again.

“It will be a great day out, with lots for visitors to see and do. We are grateful for their continued support, and putting on an amazing event in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare, helping to fund our services within the local community.”

For more information about the event, log on to smedmorehouse.com.