Old Rectory Mews, Poole

This 400 year old Jacobean gem is tucked away behind a veil of mature trees, yew and laurel hedges, only tantalising glimpses can be seen through the metal gates along the gravelled drive, views that are protected by Historic England. The grounds offer a haven for wildlife and a tranquility that belie its convenient and close proximity to Poole Quay, the Harbour, Hamworthy Beach and Park with its quintessentially English beach huts. Cobbs Quay Marina and Yacht Club, Poole Yacht Club and Lake Yard Marina are all less than a mile away. 

As a Grade 2* it is in the top 6% of the most historically significant listed buildings in the country, few remain in private residential ownership. Built by Henry Carew, a prominent Catholic family in the 17th century, evidence of the priest hole remains, used to hide priests when they were persecuted by law and more recently for endless games of hide and seek! It is documented that during the Civil War and the siege on Corfe Castle to have housed the Roundheads and visited by Oliver Cromwell, later in the Napoleonic Wars it was home to the Southern Command and hosted the Duke of Wellington.   

The Manor at Higher Ham, as it was then known, passed to the ownership of Lord Wimborne as part of the Canford Estate, it is believed carved panels from the original staircase were removed and used in the building of Canford Manor, now Canford School. In the 19th century Lord Wimborne gifted it to the church and it became known as The Rectory. Adaptations to the staircase and inglenook fireplace and many of the Victorian features were added at this time.  The Old Rectory really will capture your imagination and heart as it reveals itself. From the hidden glimpses as you approach, you cross the threshold of the arched porch and huge Gothic door, that open to a surprisingly light filled dining hall with galleried oak staircase and original flagstone floor.