Today, No. 87 is home to Ginali’s restaurant, while No. 89 is currently vacant, but in the 18th century, the two buildings were just one mansion home, sitting proud as the grandest property along the stretch.

A grand 18th-century mansion

Built in 1704, the manor was placed north of the corn market and set back from the rest of the street, with a classically proportioned design. Having three storeys, additional cellar room, and a width of seven bays wide, the house was undoubtedly a status of wealth for the merchants who inhabited it.

Samuel Weston, a local merchant and M.P. resided in the manor until his death in 1716, and left the property to his son, William. However, by the mid-century, the mansion was in the hands of its most infamous owner; local merchant, William Barfoot.

A house divided

Following Barfoot’s death in 1766, with his wife Lydia following in 1771, the property was inherited by their daughter Anna. However, by 1775 the house was being auctioned at The Antelope Inn. Just two years later, the building was subdivided and has remained that way throughout the years.

In the 19th century, one of these buildings became ‘Poole Town and County Bank’, run by the Ledgard family who also resided on the premises.

George Welch Ledgard founded the bank in 1821, after a relatively successful run as a Newfoundland merchant, and went on to become a prominent local townsman, serving as mayor in 1820, ‘21, ‘22, ‘26 and ‘31.

How to get here

The address of this site is: 87 High Street, BH15 1AH 

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