Monument record MDO6950 - Compton Acres Gardens, Poole

Formal and informal gardens designed and laid out by Thomas William Simpson after Compton Acres House was constructed in 1914. They were probably conceived as a tourist attraction and laid out in a variety of styles inspired by various historical periods and geographical regions.

Early C20 gardens of eclectic kind, linked by circular path, c.6ha. Garden designed after 1914 by Thomas William Simpson (d.1943) round 1914 house. Garden restored post-1950 by J S Beard. Main garden areas are the Roman Garden, leading to Italian garden. To south east, the Palm Court; further south a rock and water garden. <4> The gardens were laid out from 1918 by Thomas William Simpson, with most of the work taking place during the 1920s-30s. The gardens were designed as a tourist attraction. The gardens were restored by J Stanley Beard from 1950 and opened the gardens to the public in May 1952. The gardens have been a tourist attraction throughout the 20th century and visitor facilities have been added to the grounds. The gardens have recently been restored. <6> Compton Acre Gardens were laid out around Compton Acres House which was constructed in 1914. The house was bought by Thomas William Simpson after the First World War and he began to lay out a series of enclosed gardens around the house during the 1920s and 1930s. The garden comprised seven discrete themed enclosures, including a Roman, Egyptian, Italian, Iberian and English gardens. The gardens may have been designed as a tourist attraction from the outset. The gardens suffered from neglect during the Second World War and in 1950 Compton Acres was bought by J S Beard who restored the gardens and opened them to the public in 1952. The gardens were sold again in 1964 and continued to be altered and developed. In 2004 it was sold to a business consortium and new visitor facilities were constructed. <4-7>

Record last edited

Sep 5 2023 1:11PM