Compton Acres (c) Paul Gillett
Compton Acres

The 10 acres of gardens at Compton Acres sit in splendour looking out over Poole Harbour. They are the brainchild of Thomas William Simpson, who began to build Compton Acres just after WWI. Simpson had a vision of creating at Poole a garden composed of separate garden rooms, or areas, each illustrating a particular garden style from around the world. Simpson planned the paths and terraces so that only one garden area could be experienced at a time.

At enormous expense (some £220,000) he gathered rare plants, trees, and garden statuary from across the globe. Simpson was a stickler for authenticity. As an example, he went to the trouble and expense of bringing to England a Japanese garden designer and workmen to create the Japanese Garden area, complete with Japanese stones and earth.

Today the garden is composed of 10 distinct areas, including a Roman Garden, with a miniature pool and grotto, an Italian Garden, Canadian Woodland Walk, Indian Tropical Valley, Egyptian Court, Spanish Water Garden, Scottish Heather Dell, Garden of Memory, and the Japanese Garden.

Photo is (c) Paul Gillett, republished with gratitude under a Creative Commons license

About Compton Acres
Address: 164 Canford Cliffs Road, Poole, Dorset, England, BH13 7ES
Attraction Type: Garden
Location: Between Bournemouth and Poole, on the B3065
Website: Compton Acres
Location map
OS: SZ054 895
Photo Credit: Paul Gillett, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence


HERITAGE

HeritageWe've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.

Find other attractions tagged with:


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest

Brownsea Island - 1.8 miles (Countryside) Heritage Rating

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum - 2.5 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Studland, St Nicholas Church - 4.5 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Arne, St Nicholas Church - 5.1 miles (Historic Church)

Arne RSPB Nature Reserve - 5.1 miles (Countryside) Heritage Rating

Knoll Gardens - 6.6 miles (Garden) Heritage Rating

Christchurch Castle - 6.9 miles (Castle) Heritage Rating

Deans Court - 7 miles (Garden) Heritage Rating



Nearest Holiday Cottages to Compton Acres:


  More self catering near Compton Acres

Show self catering cottages near Compton Acres