The present day Lackford & Cavenham Estate was originally two separate farms, each with their own rich and colourful history. The two estates were amalgamated just after the end of the Second World War, by Douglas William Phil Gough. The farming business he established is now run by Robert Gough, the third generation of the family.


The Lackford Estate for many years formed a part of the much larger Culford Estate. Bought in 1889 by the 5th Earl of Cadogan, it was eventually sold upon the death of the 6th Earl, Gerald Cadogan in 1933. The original family home is now an independent boarding school, and their family seat gave name to the school's "Cadogan House", as well as the Cadogan Arms public house at Ingham. The Culford Estate was divided up in to lots upon sale at auction, and the Lackford Estate was successfully bid-for by Suffolk maltster and farmer Duncan Smith Gough in 1936. Ill-health eventually led Duncan to sell the farm to Douglas Gough, his cousin, in 1943.