Listed Building record MDO23163 - Canford School, Canford Magna

Large country house, now boarding school. 1825-36, extended 1848-1853 and 1888, with twentieth century alterations. By Edward Blore, for William Ponsonby, Lord de Mauley. Partly remodelled and considerably extended 1848-1853 by Sir Charles Barry for Sir John and Lady Charlotte Guest. Altered 1873-6 by David Brandon and further extended 1888 by Romaine Walker and Tanner. Built in white brick in Flemish bond with Portland and Bath limestone dressings, slate roofs and white brick internal stacks.

The manor of Canford is mentioned in Domesday, and for much of the Medieval period was the property of the earls of Salisbury. The manor had a number of owners from the mid-15th century onwards, and the house became a school in 1923. The original manor house lay to the east of the present building and was largely demolished in 1765. The only part not destroyed was a Medieval range known as John O'Gaunt's kitchen. There seems to be no historical justification for the name. <1-2> The remains of the Manor House incorporated in Canford School are still called John O'Gaunt's kitchen. The surviving building was the Tudor kitchen of the Manor House and formed the south-west wing of the pre- 1765 building. No other remains are visible. The kitchen is now in use as a Library, and is in good condition but has some modern renovations. The corners of the west end of the block are re-inforced with modern brick and the mullioned windows on the north side of the building have been renewed or replaced by modern stone mullions. The roof is of tiles. See ground photographs. <4> Canford School, formerly listed as Canford Manor. Canford Manor stands on the site of a building first mentioned in 1221; only the 14th - 15th century kitchen wing, known as John of Gaunt's kitchen, remains. The pre-1765 house was a gabled structure, probably dating from 1611. The house was completely rebuilt in 1825-36 for Lord de Manley to a design by Edward Blore. Considerable alterations were carried out in 1847. by Barry. The main house is of two storeys with attics and towers rising to four storeys, built of brick with slate roofs. Full architectural descriptions. <5>

Record last edited

May 10 2023 4:38PM