Locally Registered Garden: Springhead (DDO19745)

Brief description of site: Springhead lies in a coombe where as its name implies, several springs rise from the surrounding hills. The site runs east to west with the east being the high ground. The spring fed stream runs towards Fontmell Magna village and eventually joins the River Stour. Springhead house and mill are mid way along the site at the western end of the lake. The sides of the valley around the lake have been formed into gardens of an informal nature. Brief history of site: It was originally a mill site in the ownership of Shaftesbury Abbey until the dissolution of the monasteries. The mill and surrounding lands passed to the Arundel family. In the early 19th century it was acquired by the Glyn family in whose ownership it remained until the 1926 when it was bought by Harold Squires. Mr. Squires, with the assistance of his gardener, created the beginnings of the current garden with alterations to the lake. In 1932 the property was bought by Rolf and Mirabelle Gardiner and Mrs. Gardiner undertook further work on the gardens. Springhead was created as an Educational Trust in 1973 by the Gardiner family. Significance: Historical mill site combined with natural spring fed lake. Romantic 20th century landscaping and features. Believed to be influenced by Brenda Colvin. Sources: Timothy Mowl Historic Gardens of Dorset p 156-9 illus. 21 Rosalind Richards : Springhead - DGT Newsletter Issue 15

Record last edited

Aug 10 2016 4:57PM