Witchampton
Village and civil parish in Dorset, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Witchampton is a village and civil parish in Dorset, England, situated on the River Allen 5 miles (8 km) north of Wimborne Minster. The 2011 census recorded a population of 398.[1]
| Witchampton | |
|---|---|
Parish church of St Mary, St Cuthburga & All Saints | |
  Witchampton Location within Dorset | |
| Population | 398 |
| OS grid reference | ST988064 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WIMBORNE |
| Postcode district | BH21 |
| Dialling code | 01258 |
| Police | Dorset |
| Fire | Dorset and Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
Witchampton lies close to where the dip slope of the chalk hills of Cranborne Chase is overlain by newer deposits of London Clay. Although Witchampton is sited within the area of the chalk, where cob and thatch are the traditional building materials, the nearness of the clay has resulted in many of the older houses in the village being built from brick.[2] The early 16th-century Abbey House contains some of the earliest brickwork in the county.[3]
To the northeast of the village there used to be a paper mill by the river. In 1980 it was described by writer Roland Gant as a "discreet industrial oasis in an agricultural plain".[4] It had been in operation since the early 18th century, but has now been converted to residential accommodation.[3]
11th-century whalebone chess pieces have been found within the parish, and are some of the best surviving early English chess pieces.[5]
Events
Every year a village fete is held in the field next to the old Witchampton ruins. There are many fun activities to do during this fete, for example you can enter the dog show competition or look at the plethora of cars brought in by locals.
