House & Grounds

House History

We believe the current house was designed by William Evans for Henry Brounker in the early 19th century. It was extended in 1887 and again in 1920 when Sir Guy Dawber added his extension to the east end. The land was leased to Henry Brounker in 1823 by the Earl of Salisbury. It was sold to Mr. Richard Brounker in 1826 for £750. It then past to his son Henry, the High Sheriff of Dorset. In 1904 it was sold to Mr. George Thursby and then in 1914 to Charles W. Gordon for £22,000. The Gordon Family sold the property on the death of Mr. & Mrs. Gordon to Mr C.H.C Combe for £245,000 in 1960. Mr. Combe sold the estate to the Marquess of Salisbury estate in 1971. Since then the house has been used as a school for young people with learning difficulties.

Garden History

The school stands in unique formal grounds. The gardens were designed by the landscape architect Thomas Mawson and the famous horticulturalist Gertrude Jekyll in 1919 - 21 for Mr. Charles W. Gordon. The Garden has matured over the last century and much of the planting has altered. The original landscape has also suffered the ravages of time and the school is now working to restore this beautiful garden to it's former glory.

Garden Restoration

By 2000 the garden had deteriorated and parts were unsafe. The garden is an integral part of the student's environment, it is a place to play, to calm down, to work, to investigate, to learn and develop. The students use the garden on a daily basis and enjoy the freedom it gives them to mix with friends or have quiet time on their own. They wanted to help "fix" it and have continued to be involved in its reincarnation.

We began with three mud filled ponds, all in need of cleaning and repair. The students supported Alison our Head Gardener, a local company Banyards and some willing volunteers in clearing the ponds. Local craftsmen used their skills to repair the ravages of time and all three ponds are now looking full and fantastic.

The garden having been allowed to run itself for some time was in need of replanting. We took the decision to follow in so far as possible Jekylls original planting designs and this project is now in progress. Areas have been laid to lawn in an attempt to clear the ground elder from the border A "Mawson Holly" walk, previously removed has now been replaced.

What we believe to be the largest Gertrude Jekyll herbaceous border is now being reinstated, as has her circular planting around the Mercury pond and her Phlox garden around the sundial.

There is still much to do and as money is raised more and more will be restored to reflect the beauty and the skill of these two great Victorians.