Dorset, Compton Acres - Sept 2020 (21)A
Compton Acres Garden, Poole, Dorset
The gardens are situated at 164 Canford Cliffs, POOLE, Dorset, BH13 7ES. It is a privately owned garden, founded in 1920 by Thomas William Simpson. He was a business man whose wealth came from the production of Margarine.
From the 1920s – 1930s he began to create a series of enclosed gardens, seven in all, at the staggering cost of £220k. They were filled with sculptures and other architectural features.
The thought was, that even at an early stage of its construction that it was going to be a ‘tourist attraction’.
Unfortunately Mr Simpson died in 1944, this was followed by another death in the form of Mr. Middleton, the Head Gardener. These deaths plus the call-up of other staff lead to the gardens falling into disrepair. In 1950 the garden were sold to J. Stanley Beard a London architect who was responsible for a programme of restoration and by 1952 now complete, it was open to the public.
During that time new paths were laid, many other plantings were carried out. It changed hands again in 1964 but it still remained open. Since then the main house was sold as was part of the northern and southern boundary plus some of the woodland.
The garden now is divided between five smaller sub-gardens:
The Italian Garden: When you first see this garden from the end of the pond looking down to the Domed Temple it is spectacular. At the top end are two statues representing Wrestlers of Herculaneum. The pond itself is surrounded with brightly coloured planting and in the water are many water lilies and a fountain. To the left is the Italianate Villa with its brightly painted walls and statues on the roof and as you walk down the path other shrubs and manicured bushes. There are quite a few seats dotted around so that you can enjoy the experience.
The Wooded Valley: Here the woodland of Pine trees, where Rhododendrons and Camelias grow in some abundance. Winding footpaths and waterfalls along with other plants such as Ferns and Foxgloves make a wonderful setting.
Rock and Water Garden: There is a thought that Compton Acres has the largest rock garden in private hands in England. It consists of over 300 different plants which include alpines, conifers, spring and summer bulbs.
The Heather Garden: Here, there is a garden, again with many different species of Heather, some not easily grown in other gardens but the south coast has a much better climate enabling them to thrive. It is at its best in Spring, although it is still a very colourful space throughout the year.
The Japanese Garden: There is an odd shaped pool which is surrounded by Bamboos, Azelea and Maples. Wonderful colours, together with a collection of figures, lanterns, stone pagodas and a thatched Japanese-style summerhouse. This is covered in Wisteria in season. Many of the items were purchased in Japan, even the fish were exported under licence.
The garden covers 10 acres, it has many pieces of sculpture and architectural features scattered throughout the site. It also has a tea-room, a very important place which does nice tea and cake. What could be better after the experience of seeing the garden?
Dorset, Compton Acres - Sept 2020 (21)A
Compton Acres Garden, Poole, Dorset
The gardens are situated at 164 Canford Cliffs, POOLE, Dorset, BH13 7ES. It is a privately owned garden, founded in 1920 by Thomas William Simpson. He was a business man whose wealth came from the production of Margarine.
From the 1920s – 1930s he began to create a series of enclosed gardens, seven in all, at the staggering cost of £220k. They were filled with sculptures and other architectural features.
The thought was, that even at an early stage of its construction that it was going to be a ‘tourist attraction’.
Unfortunately Mr Simpson died in 1944, this was followed by another death in the form of Mr. Middleton, the Head Gardener. These deaths plus the call-up of other staff lead to the gardens falling into disrepair. In 1950 the garden were sold to J. Stanley Beard a London architect who was responsible for a programme of restoration and by 1952 now complete, it was open to the public.
During that time new paths were laid, many other plantings were carried out. It changed hands again in 1964 but it still remained open. Since then the main house was sold as was part of the northern and southern boundary plus some of the woodland.
The garden now is divided between five smaller sub-gardens:
The Italian Garden: When you first see this garden from the end of the pond looking down to the Domed Temple it is spectacular. At the top end are two statues representing Wrestlers of Herculaneum. The pond itself is surrounded with brightly coloured planting and in the water are many water lilies and a fountain. To the left is the Italianate Villa with its brightly painted walls and statues on the roof and as you walk down the path other shrubs and manicured bushes. There are quite a few seats dotted around so that you can enjoy the experience.
The Wooded Valley: Here the woodland of Pine trees, where Rhododendrons and Camelias grow in some abundance. Winding footpaths and waterfalls along with other plants such as Ferns and Foxgloves make a wonderful setting.
Rock and Water Garden: There is a thought that Compton Acres has the largest rock garden in private hands in England. It consists of over 300 different plants which include alpines, conifers, spring and summer bulbs.
The Heather Garden: Here, there is a garden, again with many different species of Heather, some not easily grown in other gardens but the south coast has a much better climate enabling them to thrive. It is at its best in Spring, although it is still a very colourful space throughout the year.
The Japanese Garden: There is an odd shaped pool which is surrounded by Bamboos, Azelea and Maples. Wonderful colours, together with a collection of figures, lanterns, stone pagodas and a thatched Japanese-style summerhouse. This is covered in Wisteria in season. Many of the items were purchased in Japan, even the fish were exported under licence.
The garden covers 10 acres, it has many pieces of sculpture and architectural features scattered throughout the site. It also has a tea-room, a very important place which does nice tea and cake. What could be better after the experience of seeing the garden?