Lady Wimborne Cottages: The Story of the Canford Estate Cottages

by Pat Clark

Pat Clark has spent much of the last few years in a remarkable piece of local detective work, tracking down the 108 model cottages and 3 schools built in Victorian times by the Guest family of Canford.

What began as a search for the cottages - which can be found as far apart as Longham and Corfe Mullen, Merley and Hamworthy - became a journey of discovery into the changing fortunes of one of Dorset's wealthiest families, a family whose Welsh ironworks was once the largest in the world.

The result is a portrait of the spirit of philanthropy that inspired the building of the cottages. But it also provides a fascinating insight into the character of two extraordinary women, Lady Charlotte Guest, and her daughter-in-law Cornelia, the Lady Wimborne after whom the cottages are named.

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Stacey Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little book, but short, with pictures of all the cottages (where possible). Perhaps a bit niche and very local history, but perfect for me!