DORSET-L Archives

From: Brian Tompkins <>
Subject: Re: new listing
Date: Sun, 04 Jul 1999 09:32:38 -0400

At 11:06 PM 7/4/1999 +1200, you wrote:
>Looking for any details about THOMAS W SIMPSON born bedminster 1864.
Married Kathleen
>and Thomas owned Compson Acres/gardens. Don't know years. Understood
that they did
>not have a family. Query Thomas dying 1940-48. ???1891 census help.
>please reply on
>Thanks Diane.

The pride of Canford Cliffs are the beautiful gardens of Compton Acres.
Four owners are responsible for the creation and upkeep of this showpiece
which delights thousands of visitors each year.

At the end of the First World War, Thomas William Simpson bought the
Neo-Tudor Compton Acres Mansion, built in 1914, and conceived the idea of
surrounding it with a unique series of independent gardens, planned so that
only one garden could be seen at a time.

At the turn of the century, the land had been wild moorland, a wilderness
of golden gorse and purple heather, the yellow sandy slopes densely clad in
Scots pines. The back cloth to this wild beauty was Poole Harbor, Brownsea
Island and the Purbeck range of hills.

On these slopes, Simpson set out his sylvan walks, green lawns, terraces,
Lily ponds and fountains. It took several years of intense activity and an
expenditure of about £250,000 before the gardens evolved. Thousands of tons
of stone, rocks, and good earth were collected. Rare plants, some tropical
and sub-tropical were brought in from all over the world. In the unique
Japanese garden, every plant was brought from the Far East in a specially
chartered cargo vessel which also transported the gardeners who laid it out
and planted it.

The Second World War took its toll of the gardens and the death of
Middleton, the famous head gardener, quickly followed by that of the
garden’s creator, William Simpson, spelled the end for this former oasis of
beauty. The inadequate staff could not recreate and maintain the gardens.
The rhododendron banks became impenetrable jungles, and the tall trees
merged their branches overhead, blotting out the life giving sun.

In 1950, Compton Acres was saved. Architect J. S. Beard, who designed many
English cinemas during the cinema boom, purchased the property, restored it
and re-opened it to the public. It was one of the new owner's pleasures to
sit by the side of the fountain in very old gardening clothes and when a
happy visitor id "I would like to meet the man who is lucky enough to own
all this, he would beam and reply, well you are talking to him now. In 1956
he added a very personal touch to the beautiful gardens. He built a little
circular picnic garden, walled in Purbeck stone. It was a memorial to his
son Dick, killed whilst flying with the R.A.F. in 1942, and to his two
young daughters who were tragic victims of polio.

John Brady bought the gardens in 1964. John and his wife hailed from Devon.
The Bradys enjoy sharing their home with the visitors and realize that
without their support, it would be impossible to maintain this splendid
estate where, in the course of half an hour, the visitor can find himself
in distant Japan, or in a Roman garden, beside an Italian lake side, or in
a simple English garden with velvet lawns and flowering shrubs and the old
fashioned flowers of the country.

The gardens were sold again in 1985 and Simpson’s fine house turned into flats

In case you don't already have it here is the entry for Thomas W. Simpson
in the 1881 Census.

Dwelling:102 Redland Rd
Census Place:Westbury On Trym, Gloucester, England
Source:FHL Film 1341604 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 2503 Folio 62 Page 5
MarrAgeSexBirthplace

John SIMPSONM49 MScotland
Rel:Hed
Occ:Clothier 30 Hands Employed (Tailor)
Janet H.H. SIMPSONM47 FScotland
Rel:Wife
Margaret R.H. SIMPSONU19 FBedminster, Somerset, England
Rel:Daur
Thomas W. SIMPSONU17 MBedminster, Somerset, England
Rel:Son
Occ:Scholar
Agnes H. SIMPSONU15 FBedminster, Somerset, England
Rel:Daur
Occ:Scholar
Jessie H. SIMPSON 12 FBedminster, Somerset, England
Rel:Daur
Occ:Scholar
James H. SIMPSON 4 MBedminster, Somerset, England
Rel:Son
Occ:Scholar
Margaret F. HENDERSONU58 FScotland
Rel:Sister In Law
Emma WOODMANU20 FMorchard Bishop, Devon, England
Rel:Servt
Occ:General Servt
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• new listing by "Pitcaithly" <>

  • Re: new listing by Brian Tompkins <>