History

Charborough (in Latin, Cereberie) was recorded in the Doomsday Book in 1087.

 

In about 1540 Charborough came into the Erle family, from whom the present owners are descended.  The Erles fought for Parliament in the Civil War.

 

Sir Walter Erle laid siege to Corfe Castle, which was defended for six months by the gallant Lady Bankes of Kingston Lacy, and in retaliation had his house burned down by the Royalists.  Only the cellars and foundations remained.

 

The exact date of the present house is unknown, but is thought to be about 1650-1660.  For its rebuilding, some stone, timbers and a large oak beam were brought from Corfe Castle.  After the restoration, Sir Ralph Bankes wrote to Sir Walter Erle (or General Erle) demanding the return of his oak beam.  Following some acrimonious correspondence, an amount of compensation is thought to have been paid and the beams remained at Charborough.  The new house was built in the style of Inigo Jones (1573-1652) and was possibly designed by him.

 

In 1686 General Erle and others conspired at Charborough to rid the country of James II during the ‘Glorious Revolution’ which ended with William and Mary of Orange being crowned in 1688.

 

Various additions have been made to Charborough House over the ensuing years, parlicularly by Richard Erle Drax Grosvenor, who died in 1819.  It was JSW Sawbridge Drax (thought to be the black sheep of the family) that probably covered the house with stucco, painted it white and added the Georgian façade on the North front.

 

The Tower, which can be seen from many miles away, and has distant views as far as the Isle of Wight on a good day, was built in 1790 by Edward Drax.  It was struck by lightening on 29th November 1838, and was rebuilt by JSWS Drax, who carried it 40ft higher than the original to a height in excess of 100ft.  There are 161 steps to the top of the tower, which is 420ft above sea level.