Great Bounds
The history of the Bounds Estate can be traced back some 750 years to the reign of Edward 1st. It had many illustrious occupants, including at least 2 who were executed for treason during Tudor times.
The estate was broken up in 1933, when it was put up for auction and much of the land sold for development. Five of the original cottages remain, together with the Dower House and Lodge. Most of the building work took place after WW2, on roads such as Birchwood Avenue, Bounds Oak Way, Dower House Crescent, St Lawrence Avenue and Darnley Drive.
The Manor House was bought in 1938 by the Reliance Corporation, who used it as offices during the war. Troops were also billeted on the estate and, in 1946, local people who were desperate for houses moved into the abandoned Army huts.
In 1958 the Manor House was demolished and the remainder of the land developed. It stood on the site of what is now Great Bounds Drive.
Document Library
Included below are articles relating to the history of Great Bounds and a selection of memories of those who lived there - Click to open in a new tab:
History of Great Bounds - A potted history
The Great Bounds Estate - A document describing the development of the estate
Memories of George Paine - Just after WW1 of a young boy (from the family of Southborough’s Paine, Smith Bakers) who occasionally stayed at the house
A Young Girl at Great Bounds - Notes from an interview with Mrs. Betty Hurrell who lived at Great Bounds for a short time
For Sale by Auction - Harrods’ Auction Catalogue produced in 1933 following the death of Sir John Ferguson
Land for Sale for Development - Sale particulars detailing the land available for development
Notice to Chief Office Staff - A letter written to staff of the Reliance Insurance Company during 1939
Memories of Great Bounds - Memories of Mrs. Iris Ridgewell, an employee of Reliance Insurance Company (please excuse the quality of this document)
Memories of Great Bounds by Connie Mann - An extract from the memories of another employee of the Reliance Insurance Company
Squatters at Great Bounds - A news snippet from August 1946 when squatters occupied the former army “Nissen” huts
Rents fixed for squatters - News of improvements to living conditions in the army huts
The Woodland Monument - A description of the marble monument erected in 1812 in memory of Lady Catherine Stewart, sister of Lord Darnley, wife of Brigadier-General Stewart
The Bounds Oak - Maxwell Macfarlane tells of the demise of the original Oak that once stood on the Estate
The Remains of the Estate - An article from the Southborough Society Newsletter by Maxwell Macfarlane
Image Gallery
Few photographs exist that show the splendour of Great Bounds but the selection below picture the house prior to its demolition, and the subsequent development of the area around Bounds Oak Way. A number of buildings from the Estate remain namely Little Bounds, the Entrance Lodge, Gardener’s Cottage, Dairy Cottage, North and South Cottages and the Bounds, which was a cottage and stable block. The fish pond also exists, now the Lake in Birch Wood. Click on any of the images below to view in more detail.
