History

Cottage Farm was originally built in early 1700. Three great Oaks near the entrance were planted in 1720 when the long barn beside the road was built. The farm was extended to Victorian times as a dairy farm.

It became a store in about 1975 and was virtually derelict when Mike & Linda Wise came in 1985. The Courtyard Centre was rebuilt in stages between 1986 & 1990 and continues evolving today. The road outside was once the main road from Poole to Wareham via the village and turned South at our entrance.

What follows, are extracts from the book ‘So you want to live in the country’. Written by Mike Wise and images of how the centre somewhat comically, has evolved over the years:

The beginning
The rain on drains
How Dylans got it’s name
Feeding the 550!
Renovating the Grain store to become our Medieval function Barn
Animals in the stables
Two steps forward
From tiny acorns
Dylans expands