In Victorian times Lodmoor was used as a camp for the Dorset Yeomanry, horse racing and skating. Later an airfield and cricket and football grounds appeared. In 1890 Sir Frederick Johnstone, landowner, offered 30 acres to the Council as a park and recreation ground but the offer was refused as the cost of infilling was prohibitive. After Johnstone’s death in 1913 the offer was repeated and again declined. In 1925 the Weld Estate, owners of another tract of land, auctioned it off and the purchaser bought more land from the Wilton Estates who were the successors to Johnstone Estates. In 1948 the Council compulsorily purchased several hundred acres for tipping purposes and acquired other land by private treaty.
Since then various abortive schemes were put forward including a Butlin’s holiday camp and a marina. Subsequently, a park, a large car park and go kart track and a few other attractions have been built and a large amount is leased as a nature reserve to the RSPB.
The picture shows the area in the early 20th Century with cattle in boggy conditions.
