The Dorset estate which inspired James Bond's inception

As reported by the Echo, the iconic franchise has several links to Dorset with one of those being the Moigne Combe Estate.

Previously the estate was owned by Dorset’s Bond family, a member of which reportedly provided inspiration for the character's inception.

What is the Moigne Combe Estate?

The Moigne Combe Estate is spread over 141 acres of land complete with several buildings including the Moigne Combe House, which was built by the Bond family.

The Bond family built the house for their personal use in 1900 and it became their principal home in 1943 after the Home Office requisitioned their estate at Tyneham for the War effort.

The house itself features ten bedrooms with lake views, a double-height reception hall, a galleried landing, and a formal dining room.

As well as a library, a drawing room, and a separate kitchen wing with a scullery, butlers’ pantry, cellar, and domestic staff rooms.

There are also a pair of let semi-detached three-bedroom cottages on the land.

Where is the Moigne Combe Estate?

Moigne Combe Estate on Google Maps

The 141 acres of land is located seven miles or so away from Dorchester.

It is a ten minutes or so drive away from the village of Moreton.

What links does the Moigne Combe Estate have to James Bond?

A member of the Bond family who previously owned the estate is said to have inspired 007’s creator, Ian Fleming, when creating the character.

John Bond was an Elizabethan spy whose work is said to have provided inspiration when Ian Fleming first began writing about the character.

In another link to the famous spy the Dorset Bond’s family motto is non sufficit orbis which translates as ‘the world is not enough'.

This later became the title of a James Bond flick in 1999, which starred Pierce Brosnan as the 007 agent.

What happened to the Bond family?

Harry Pomeroy Bond was the original Bond who purchased the estate in 1885.

In 1943, Ralph and Evelyn Bond relocated to the Moigne Combe following the requisition of the Tyneham Estate.

The couple had a son called Mark Bond who in later life joined the army and worked his way up to Major-General rank.

In 1972 he retired and took over running the estate and remained there until his death in 2017.

Who currently owns Moigne Combe Estate?

The estate was put on the market in 2018 for £3,500,000 in 2018 and is currently owned by Moigne Combe Estate Limited.

At present, the company’s business is listed as logging, silviculture and other forestry activities.

Emma Louise Holmes is listed as the director of the company on Companies House and along with a secretary are the only two people listed at Moine Combe Estate Limited.