Architecture
Having suffered extensive fires throughout its history, including the most serious in 1777, the village has lost many of its older buildings. There is however a selection of Georgian and Victorian buildings. The nearby hamlet of Shitterton, protected by the Bere River from the fires, still retains an extensive selection of older buildings, predominantly thatch. Amongst them is the oldest residential building in the parish; the 550 year old Honeycombe Cottage.
The oldest parts of the parish church of St John Baptist are of the 12th century but additions were made in the following three centuries. The tower is built of stone and flint chequerwork and the timber roof of the nave is said to have been the gift of Cardinal John Morton. Features of interest include the arcades, some 16th-century seating and a number of Purbeck marble monuments. The Victorian and later stained glass is of poor quality.
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