The History of the Lady Wimborne Road - Original Copy

Revisited: • Lady Wimborne's Privat...
Documentary about the private road Lady Wimborne had built from Canford Manor to Bournemouth. Filmed as a bike ride from where the road started on the border of Poole and Bournemouth, to the gates of what used to be Canford Manor. Looking back on the history of the road, Canford estate and Lord and Lady Wimborne.
Couple of corrections. I'm going to correct there in an updated version at some point.
1, the Magna Road bridge came down on the 24th/25th January 1987. Many thanks for pointing this out!
2, The rector of Canford Church kindly points out the following:-
"One technical historical point, as Rector of Canford Church, and that is the church was here long before the 14th C. The 'chancel' (the bit between the main body of the church called the nave) and the sanctuary is (east end and altar) is a Saxon chapel, so the church existed some time before 1066 and all that. We think it may have been a wooden Saxon church for perhaps a couple of centuries and may date back to the time of Saint Aldhelm who was a bishop who evangelised Dorset, and planted many churches. We have no 'dedication' at Canford, but there are a number of 'All Saints' churches in the area, and there is a reference in a 13th C document to 'All Saints Cheneford', the old name for Canford"
Research links :-
poolemuseumsociety.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/
luxury-and-charity-lady-cornelia-of-canford
dorsetlife.co.uk/2014/10/ironmaster-to-wildlife-the-canford-estate
travellerstimes.org.uk/features/gypsy-traveller-tales-olde-canford
dorsetlife.co.uk/2019/12/a-bridge-called-77
poolehistory.org.uk/node/327004

[@walterreed717]

Enjoyed your film David. I was Çhartered Engineer for Dorset County and responsible for demolishing Lady Canford Bridge on Ringwood Road next to the Mountbatten Arms and Bournemouth Water Co. I worked continuous all over one weekend in the mid 70's. The construction was light reinforced concrete believed to be about 1930 's and part of job creation for unemployed. Due to location of major services water, electric and the like heavy explosive could not be used. Instead a consecutive blast of 2oz charges were use to crack the concrete and finally demolished by the old style ball and chain on a mobile crane. Much to the displeasure of the late midnight customers from the pub who congregated to witness a big bang. Walter Reed, Wimborne.

[@bikeumentary6073]

Thank you very much, Walter! I love that as time goes by memories and information come forward. I'll certainly be working this into an updated version that I'm slowly adding new info to. I have this very clear vision in my mind of all the people rolling out of the pub expecting to see some huge explosion going home dissappointed!

[@derekcaistor449]

I remember the gates to her road in Wallisdown. Canford Heath was our playground after WWII, we lived in Newtown.

[@lornallewellyn8205]

Brilliant and interesting commentary, I lived on the estate just past the bridge Alderney West , didn't realise how big Canford heath was, thank you for an interesting tour.

[@MavisFilms]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nwae8812]

How interesting! I used to live in. Colehill, visited the lady Wimborne railway bridge many times. Never realised they owned so much land , and fifteen so much. I worked on the railway in Bournemouth, new some people on the last trains over the bridge. Now working on the railway in New Zealand. Great video.

[@allsearpw3829]

Great video David , a man on his bike , showing us what most of us have no clue to the real history . Time to get my old bike out .👍

[@phillwainewright4221]

Lots of memories. I used to walk this path in the late 70s when I lived in Newtown (near Bluebirds caravan factory) and my girlfriend lived in Merley (not far from the railway bridge in your video).

[@MavisFilms]

Ah - the old days when we used to walk places! It's a shame the path isn't slightly better maintained when it branches off to Magna Road, but I'm glad you can still access it. It's still one of my favourite and most used bike rides.

[@pjchosen]

Oh David that was superb! Your presentation and extensive research (delivered in a humble, informative way without being a boring history lecture!) and I particularly enjoyed the drone footage showing the still extensive heath (fortunately not all developed) and Canford school. Thank you for showing old photos and maps so we can picture how it once was. I loved your comment about how worthless land was in Sandbanks then.... How times change! I will get my parents to see this video, as their memories obviously go back further than mine, and they'll love it. They originate from Corfe Mullen (from the Violet Farm) and were once one of the few families there who owned a tv! Well done.

[@bikeumentary6073]

Thank you Peter, and really glad you enjoyed it! I've lived in Bournemouth and Poole all of my 60 years, and I've always had a curiosity about the road. My wife got me into doing my family tree many years ago, and part of that was social history - which I found interesting. I never found kings and queens / roman roads interesting at school, but social and local history I found fascinating - especially as my parents and grandparents are all from the local area and have loads of stories to tell. Not all of them entirely true! My mother is 90 and still doing very well, and it's always annoying with her to have researched something and then she comes up with the expected "I could have told you that". But it's also a matter of getting facts right, so research still has to be done! So thanks for the comments and I'm looking forward to some better weather and the freedom to travel slightly further to do more!

[@mervtaylor]

Excellent video, I love local history and passionate about rights of way. Great job, well done.

[@MavisFilms]

Thank you, and glad you enjoyed it. I agree with the rights of way issue, and I really love delving into local history. I'm getting to the age that simple stuff from my childhood IS ancient history!

[@waserbiker763]

Nice work David. I really enjoyed that. I cycle this way a lot and have learned so much more about the route.

[@bikeumentary6073]

Thank you :)

[@musicurio]

VERY interesting and well presented. Some fantastic drone footage too. I was also told about the bridges in my childhood (living both in Parkstone and Wimborne) You have explained a lot to me. Thank you.

[@barboror]

Dont forget also "Hill 60" David where in the 60's kids used to ride their Motorcycles

[@elainech6387]

I loved this David. It was so interesting. I live just off Wallisdown Road (Talbot Village) so it was nice to learn about an area I’ve lived in for 30 years. Canford Heath is huge - I never realised!

[@MavisFilms]

It's quite a big area! I've been over a lot of it on my bike, but still not covered all of it.

[@smokeygoat4577]

I had this channel recommended to me after posting a comment about Railflicks channel on an article about lost railways in the Echo (several short films on local trailways). Both channels are excellent and l'm now subscribed to both. Excellent little film, very informative and great presentation. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to more of them!

[@redmille1000]

Thankyou for a fascinating video, it’s difficult to envisage 26 square miles but when you see the locations of Lady Wimborne cottages you realise how much land they had!

[@forestpony8758]

Thank you for posting this, I remember the bridge well but had no idea of it's history. It is extraordinary just how rich some people were in the 1800s, it is good to think that this family looked after their tenants.

[@ianj843]

I enjoyed that David. Well done.

[@canfordmagnaparishchurchan144]

Thanks David for the film - it has motivated me to get on my bike and ride the trail. One technical historical point, as Rector of Canford Church, and that is the church was here long before the 14th C. The 'chancel' (the bit between the main body of the church called the nave) and the sanctuary is (east end and altar) is a Saxon chapel, so the church existed some time before 1066 and all that. We think it may have been a wooden Saxon church for perhaps a couple of centuries and may date back to the time of Saint Aldhelm who was a bishop who evangelised Dorset, and planted many churches. We have no 'dedication' at Canford, but there are a number of 'All Saints' churches in the area, and there is a reference in a 13th C document to 'All Saints Cheneford', the old name for Canford.

[@walkwithvandy3054]

stonehaven - probably the most beautiful town in scotland - must watch video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6GnpHitepiqsNk Thank you for subscribing my channel.

[@Aviation94]

So very interesting! You've gained yourself another subscriber 👍

[@MavisFilms]

Thank you :)

[@alecjefferson6993]

Yes very interesting and HISTORY LESSON. 🇬🇧

[@bikeumentary6073]

Thanks :) I think without the context of history it would be just cycling around a bit!

[@keithhist]

Very impressive photography and research. You are to be congratulated! We have decided to walk it when the weather improves!

[@MrUxbridge]

I was born in Wallisdown ( Langside Avenue so on the Poole side ), I also remember both bridges and also my father telling me that originally it had been a private road from Canford Manor to Canford Cliffs. Moved away in 1981 so brought back a lot of memories walked up to the Ringwood Road Bridge to see the Queen drive by after she'd opened the new extension to Poole General Hospital ( guessing that was the late 60s).

[@arrangrant6037]

I worked at Canford School about 10 years ago the Great Hall in the house which was used as the dining hall was magnificent it looked like it medieval great hall but was actually Victorian. It was oak panelled with paintings of Henry VIII and other medieval and Tudor kings and queens it also had a gallery above the hall for musicians where they could be heard but not seen. I was told that the road went from the main house all the way down to the sea and about the bridge over the Magna road. Great video a pity you couldn’t get to see inside the school maybe when the coronavirus lockdown is ended you might be able to

[@bikeumentary6073]

Hi, I did email Canford School about doing some filming in their grounds / property for future episodes but didn't get a reply. I will try again when the weather picks up a bit. I tend to not ride so much in the winter.

[@langdontomkins001]

Great job. Didn't realise there was so much space out there.

[@andrewnevitt]

This must have been filmed during lockdown one... never seen those roads that quiet. superb film.

[@janetallen267]

Thoroughly enjoyed the film, lived in Wallisdown all my life and never knew the whole story. Thanks David

[@walkwithvandy3054]

stonehaven - probably the most beautiful town in scotland - must watch video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6GnpHitepiqsNk Thank you for subscribing my channel.

[@georgegrimes7651]

took me back to my walks with my grandfather in the 1950s remebered it all the heath just the same many thanks ime now 78 remember the bridge on ringwood rd even walked over it...

[@bikeumentary6073]

I wish we'd done more than drive under it. However, I was quite young at the time and probably wouldn't have appreciated it if my kids are anything to go by!

[@FrankieWildeDJ]

Well done David. Great video!

[@davidlinn-davin3453]

Really interesting and informative documentary film, well done!! You need to do a few more! You've inspired me to get my bike out and check things out!

[@bikeumentary6073]

Don't worry - more to follow :) I'm back on the bike building up my fitness after a bit of a break, and I do have some ideas in the pipeline! Glad it's inspired you to get on a bike!

[@svmitche]

Really interesting David, thanks for sharing!

[@sallygrant2735]

Very interesting story and very well done. Thank you.

[@Bh16cars]

Thanks David this was fascinating

[@MavisFilms]

Thanks for watching, and glad you enjoyed it!

[@sueelmes6971]

Thanks enjoyed that, grew up in the area. I remember both the bridges.

[@annettescott5884]

Brilliant film - taught me such a lot about my local area!

[@walkwithvandy3054]

stonehaven - probably the most beautiful town in scotland - must watch video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6GnpHitepiqsNk Thank you for subscribing my channel.

[@andstarman]

amazing thanks ,live and work in wimborne never heard of the road before

[@monicapeers7077]

A very interesting view of an area I used travel through. But had never seen this. Thank you David.

[@walkwithvandy3054]

stonehaven - probably the most beautiful town in scotland - must watch video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6GnpHitepiqsNk Thank you for subscribing my channel.

[@kellymelrose8527]

i remember the bridge that crossed Ringwood road ..was thinking about it just the other day.. i had heard about the Winston Churchill story before .. the world would have been a very different place had he not recovered ...perhaps.... i recently discoverd the bridge at the end of the video ...whilst out on my bike... think i may have come across it as a child but it had been long since forgotten ...great video .. will check i out the ride for my self sometime soon ..thanks for the upload

[@GaryWaldronUK]

Absolutely fascinating video, thanks. I too have often wondered about the exact route as I remember both the old bridges as a child. Thank you very much for taking the time to put this together. Whats next?!

[@equineveterancollection]

Thank you so much for making this, was so interesting! I used to keep my ponies on the edge of canford heath and loved riding over there. So nice to see it again. I remember once going down that track behind the houses on Belben road on my pony and it was pretty hairy! Made a note not to do that again 😂 didn’t realise that was part of the old road though.

[@walkwithvandy3054]

stonehaven - probably the most beautiful town in scotland - must watch video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6GnpHitepiqsNk Thank you for subscribing my channel.

[@Wilko-mtb]

Great video, I grew up in 102 Manor Farm a Lady Wimborne house in the 80s/90s

[@jasmine24477]

Very good film thoroughly enjoyed it Hated it when they took the bridge down in Ringwood Road but I suppose it was necessary.

[@improveyourielts6732]

Very interesting - Thank you!

[@JasonMunro13]

Brilliant video, have ridden parts of this route many times but never known the history until now. Would love to see a video about the old railway lines, the Southampton and Dorchester, now the Castleman Trailway and Somerset and Dorset. Have ridden the Castleman Trailway from Hamworthy to Ringwood, 80% of it is on the original route with the minor detour around roads and houses. The Somerset and Dorset however never got the same attention, parts rideable and parts walkable (mainly around Ashington) but interesting nonetheless (If you start at Spetisbury you can pick up a section called the North Dorset Trailway which takes you through Blandford and ends at Shillingstone). Lots of old bridges and artefacts to see along both routes. Look forward to seeing your future videos, has certainly inspired me to get out and have a fresh look at our local history.

[@pete.i7057]

Top notch presentation. I thought I knew a bit about the area, but I had to follow your route on Google Maps to figure out where you were. Nicely done Sir.

[@bikeumentary6073]

Many thanks :) I'm currently working on a route between Bournemouth pier and Poole Quay using green spaces with an absolute minimum of roads, and staying within the BCP boundaries. It does look possible, but that route will certainly be one to follow on a map!

[@jenniferostridge5070]

Very interesting, thank you!

[@RailFlicks]

Brilliantly done! Great filming from the bike, I'd love to know what camera you were using, so stable. My action cam's all over the place on my bike!

[@drirs7509]

Thanks, a really interesting film

[@walkwithvandy3054]

stonehaven - probably the most beautiful town in scotland - must watch video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6GnpHitepiqsNk Thank you for subscribing my channel.

[@robertsear3420]

Thank you, very interesting

[@simonwhiting4571]

What an interesting video☺️

[@caerleon9176]

The Old Poole Grammer School (Seldown) as it was known when I attended in the 1980's was built on Canford Land. The charter of the school given by the Canford's was that the land would always remain a site to promote the education of boys. It was demolished in the late 1980's and turned into a car park! That's Poole Council for you! The land where the Arndale/Dolphin was built on in the 60's was the Ladies Walking Field (previously part of the old Victorian Dump) gifted to the town by the Lord and Lady Canford. I grew up in Parkstone in the 70/80's and played in Charles Trent's scrapyard, I also often cycled along the same route you did thru the Bourne Valley.

[@wessexguy1]

love this thank you

[@martymcb]

Amazing very interesting

[@dpi8044]

This is really interesting, the content on this and the longfleet drive video is excellent. I enjoy your style, in my experience people who have an excitement/interest in what they are doing end up being naturally engaging to watch and listen to, the council would go far wrong in supporting you, to do more of these. If you have an interest in doing more, maybe a Poole/Bournemouth at war? I am off to buy a bike !

[@bikeumentary6073]

Thank you :) I have the Sturminster Newton to Broadstone via Blandford railway line half in the can, but I can't see me being able to complete that until the weather gets better and we can get out more. After that it's the Castleman Trailway. I'm not really settled what to do after that, but I have some ideas. I'm trying to think around the wartime idea. The idea is that it's a journey from one point to another via some interesting stuff. Possibly looking at places that survived the war, or places that were lost during it with archive footage and photo's mixed in? Possibly follow one of the trolley bus routes then and now? I have a memory of being at the pier approach on the last day of the trolley busses!

[@richcole2618]

Great video, please do the Poole fork next .

[@tuffersone]

Fantastic David! Really great. I'm vicar of the Lantern Church, a plant from Canford Parish Church (as is St Barnabas, Bearwood) and it's fascinating to layer this history atop of other things I've been learning in the last couple of years. Thank you so much for doing such a great job! Did you find out about the link between The Albert Memorial and the Parish Church too?

[@stevewallis1087]

Nice film David, you will have to do Longfleet Drive next.

[@thebigtl913]

Absolutely brilliant... thank you! Incredibly informative. Still don't know why there is no 'U' in the 'word' of Wimborne!

[@walkwithvandy3054]

stonehaven - probably the most beautiful town in scotland - must watch video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6GnpHitepiqsNk Thank you for subscribing my channel.

[@lilacfloyd]

2:44 It's pronounced "low e" crescent. I remember the bridge (Ringwood Road) being demolished in the 70's

[@edanturner677]

Hi David, great video! Would you mind sharing a source for the map of Canford estate shown at 3:58. Cheers

[@savetommyrobinsonfreespeec7660]

There is also a drive way from the house going east, crossing the river and exiting onto Old Ham Lane! Not sure if it is accessible but might be worth a look?

[@bikeumentary6073]

I have tried that, but it's blocked off. I think it forms the boundary of the Canford SANG which is currently being built and extended, so maybe when the works are complete there will be a path to walk or cycle.

[@soarinuk]

Awesome video and lovely bit of local history. I remember both bridges that are now gone.... I always used to think they were railway bridges until I joined the 'Memories...... ' Facebook group. Are you sure the Magna Rd bridge was demolished in 76 though? I remember going on a bike ride when I was about 6 or 7 with my mum and going under it - that would have been around 80/81.

[@adrianwills1995]

It was in fact demolished on 24th January 1987, the other bridge by the Mountbatten was demolished in 1976.

[@rayskinner1581]

My wife lived in the Lodges on Wallisdown Rd with her adopted grandparents Mr/Mrs Green for four years before it was pulled down.We were rehoused on Bourne estate which was not completed at the time.

[@fionajulian7358]

Really interesting. Thank you. Where is the opening shot filmed?

[@KyleCasey88]

I live right at the start of this route and have been looking for a trail running route for a long time!! So glad I came across this! Do you have a map with the route on that’s easy to follow?

[@groomers1968]

I was a student at Canford School from 81 to 86 and just want to point out a correction that the bridge over Magna Road was pulled down in 1987 not 1976 and I passed under it on quite a few occasions whilst coming to and going from the school.

[@malcolmcanning9553]

Tartarian architecture.david . Look into this it will open your eyes

[@Rosa-munda]

I believe you have a photo of a man in a old car. His name is Bunny Smith, did you know him?

[@cargy930]

Just stumbled across this on my telly, and thoroughly enjoyed it. So you got a thumbs up on there and another on my PC! I left the area for for Devon in 2007, when my marriage broke up, and I've only been back for a few short visits since (although I still feel very attached to the place). I certainly never knew about this, and had forgotten the old bridges until you reminded me of them. A beautifully researched and narrated production. I'm now off to look at old maps to trace your route for myself!