Introduction
The garden was laid out in the late-19th century. Despite some alterations, the basic layout is much as it was in 1902.
Principal Building
Manor house, medieval (possibly C13), with additions dated 1664 and 1695, and others of the C18, Cl9 and C20. Ashlar and squared rubble with gable-ended, stone slated roofs and stone stacks in various positions.
Gardens and Pleasure Grounds
The garden is enhanced by its setting, which includes a church, tithe barn (now used as a theatre), shelter belt and avenue of beeches leading from the front gates. The sunken garden was built in 1915, and the conversion of the tithe barn into a theatre was completed in 1939.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
- History
19th Century
In 1880, General Augustus Pitt-Rivers, the archaeologist, inherited the estate from his cousin Lord Rivers and the Manor House became the dower house where his eldest son Alexander lived from about 1895.
20th Century
The garden was laid out between 1888 and 1902, with some alterations and improvements between 1927 and 1929. There were also improvements and replanting in the late-20th century, but these have left the basic layout of 1902 unchanged.
Around 1900 the house was enlarged and modernised, the garden was laid out in roughly its present form and the medieval tithe barn was converted into a hall. At the same time the present front drive was constructed
- Features & Designations
Features
- Tree Avenue
- Description: There is an avenue of beeches leading from the front gates.
- Key Information
Type
Garden
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Survival
Part: standing remains
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Sturminster
- References
References
- Hutchins, John {The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset, Volume III} (1870) 547 The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset, Volume III
- Paterson, Allen {Gardens of Britain: 2nd volume, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight} (London: Batsford, 1978) 32 The Gardens of Britain 2: Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
- Mowl, Timothy {Historic Gardens of Dorset} (Stroud: Tempus, 2003) 162-5 Historic Gardens of Dorset
- Shaw, Graham and Shaw, Christine {The Dorset Garden Guide} (Wimborne: Dovecote, 1991) 48-9 The Dorset Garden Guide
Contributors
William Gueterbock
Dorset Gardens Trust