There is something distinctly unusual about Norburton Hall in Burton Bradstock, and that was apparently exactly how its original owner wanted it.
Before it was extensively renovated in 1902 the building was a fortified farm dating back to the 1640s and referred to as Squire Brown's buildings.
It consisted of a large farmhouse, a dairy, stables and a gardener's cottage adjoining a threshing barn. There were also cow stalls and a cider house.
This intriguing building's renovation in the Arts and Crafts style left it described as “the distinctly odd house”.
The hall was formerly called North Hill Farm and was rebuilt by Mr Edward Sturdy, a philosopher and traveller who apparently deliberately wanted a house unlike anyone else's.
The resulting building included stone columns decorated with acorns next to wooden ones “with something else”.
No two windows appeared to match and neither did the rooms.
The 1987 article quoted Sylvia Night-Smith as saying: “None of the window catches match in the rooms.”
Mr Sturdy was described as a Buddhist and was said to have built the house to suit himself.
One particularly unusual feature was his study, where opening the windows brought him back from the “other side”.
The Sanskrit inscription (prayer) over the fire place in the main hall “SATYAT NASTI PARA DORMA” has been translated by the British Museum to read ‘There is no higher law than truth.’
According to the account, Mr Sturdy had narrowly escaped death by falling down a mountain during his travels in India.
Norburton Hall also acquired a more mysterious reputation. It was said to have been a hideaway for smugglers.
By 1987, however, the unusual old house had begun a very different chapter.
Sylvia Night-Smith had moved there with her husband after more than 25 years of living in London and Hampshire.
They had fostered children and decided the house was too good to keep to themselves.
With the help of a Friends of Norburton group, the hall was being used to give children opportunities to enjoy the countryside.
Around 50 children were said to be visiting at the time.
Among the facilities were two acres of grounds, ponies, go-karts, a donkey, miniature houses, a trampoline, a swimming pool and table tennis.
The group was also raising money to convert the property's unsung merits into fundraising opportunities including knitting and cookery.
Norburton Hall is now run as self-catering accommodation.
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