History of Springhead

People have been drawn to Fontmell Magna, including the site of Springhead, since ancient times. Springhead’s spring water was most probably the main attraction, as well as the supply of food from roe deer, duck and other waterfowl.

Mesolithic worked flints from about 6500 BC – 4000 BC have been found locally. Other local archaeological finds include a Bronze Age bowl barrow on the hill at the head of Longcombe Bottom; a Bronze Age gold ornament; Iron Age defensive ditches and a hoard of Roman coins and broken Roman jewellery and fastenings.

Fontmell (Fontmell Magna) is mentioned in England’s very first charter – The Domesday Survey of 1086. In the survey it is listed as belonging to the Abbess of Shaftesbury with 15 hides of land and three mills, one of which can be presumed to be Springhead, then known as Higher Mill or Estmill, being situated at the east end of the village.

In 1665 it was a fulling mill operated by Henry Monkton. Fulling was the process of washing, shrinking and then drying the long lengths of woven cloth on racks or reeds. However, by the late 18th century it was owned by Samuel Bishop and run as a corn mill by Samuel and his sons, Richard and Joseph until 1832 when the mill passed to Robert Hussey.

By 1881 the corn mill was closed and the buildings were used by the Eclipse Bottle Stopping Machine Company for making Crown bottle tops. But in 1907 its use changed again when it was occupied by the Blackmore Vale Dairy Company for making cheese.

In 1911 Springhead became a private residence, first being owned by Humphrey Springfield and then Harold Squire, an artist.

In 1933 Rolf and Marabel Gardiner bought the estate. As well as being a family home for the couple and their three children, it became a nucleus of a widely extending farm and forestry operation and a centre for the arts and revival of traditional cultures. Rolf Gardiner was one of the pioneers of the organic farming movement and a founder member of the Soil Association.

In 1973 on the death of Rolf Gardiner, the family set up a trust to take forward Rolf and Marabel’s vision for Springhead and to secure it in perpetuity for people from all walks of life.

In 2016 Rosalind Richards, the life tenant of Springhead, and daughter of Rolf and Marabel, died having spent the previous 20 years restoring the gardens. The Springhead Trust took on management of the main house and secured funding for its renovation.

History of the gardens

The gardens have gradually evolved into their present structure since Springhead first became a private residence in the early twentieth century.

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Springhead is a charity
Registration number: 1112083
Company register number: 5370640

The Springhead Trust is a small charity, so any support you give will make a big difference. With your help, we can continue preserving our historic buildings and gardens for the benefit of all, and give more children and groups the opportunity to enjoy the countryside and arts, and learn about sustainable living.

Springhead
Fontmell Magna
Shaftesbury
Dorset SP7 0NU

Phone: 01747 811853
Email: [email protected]

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