FURTHER steps have been taken to transform a 16th century manor house into an 'adventure wonderland' where people can come and stay and enjoy food, drink and a wide variety of events.

Plans are in place to restore Parnham House, a Grade I listed Elizabethan manor near Beaminster, and convert it into a destination which would contain hotel facilities, cottages, wagons and cabins along with a restaurant, estate shop and gardens.

An application has been made for the grant of a premises license to use the property for the supply of alcohol, late night refreshment, dance performances, musical performances, recorded music, indoor sports events - including the potential for boxing or wrestling - and plays.

Sporting events are not anticipated to be a regular occurrence but there is the potential for them to go ahead as part of charity events. Plays are also not expected to take place regularly but the manor house could potentially be used for school and Christmas events.

Live music and dancing, along with recorded music could be provided for events around the premises, but will not occur on a day-to-day basis.

The application also includes the supply of alcohol and late night refreshment from 11pm until 5am.

James Perkins bought Parnham House for £2.5 million in March 2020.

The new owner, former head of rave scene promoter Fantazia and restorer of historic houses, has big ideas to turn the 38,000 sq ft derelict property into a destination where all ages can come, stay and enjoy the grounds while being immersed in theatre, food, drink and art in what he describes as the ‘biggest challenge’ he has taken on.

He spoke earlier in the year of his desire to turn Parnham into 'an adventure wonderland' where people of all ages can come and enjoy, creating hundreds of jobs in the process.

The property suffered catastrophic fire damage in a suspicious blaze in April 2017.

Its owner at the time, Michael Treichl, was questioned by police and was found dead in Geneva two months later in a suspected suicide.

Austrian-born financier Mr Treichl had spent 15 years restoring Parnham.

After the devastating fire Historic England placed the building on the ‘Risk Register’ in 2018 as it was at risk of collapse and the fate of the building was in question.

It was announced last March that the sale of Parnham had been completed.