A little history of Canford

Canford Magna, now part of Poole in Dorset, England, has a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as a manor held by Edward of Salisbury. In the mid-19th century, the estate was acquired by Sir John Josiah Guest and his wife, Lady Charlotte Guest, who significantly influenced its development. They commissioned renowned architect Sir Charles Barry to remodel Canford Manor, adding features like the imposing Tower and the Great Hall, which now serves as the dining hall for Canford School.

Between 1867 and 1904, the Guests constructed 111 cottages across the estate to improve living conditions for workers. These cottages, known as Lady Wimborne Cottages, are named after Cornelia Guest, Baroness Wimborne, who oversaw their construction. Designed in the Gothic Revival style by Charles Barry Jr., the cottages are located in areas including Canford Magna, Ashington, and Poole.

In 1923, the Guest family sold Canford Manor, and it became Canford School, a co-educational private boarding school. The school continues to occupy the historic buildings, preserving the legacy of the estate's development and its architectural heritage.