Description
The name Winfrith derives from the river Win, which runs through the village. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Winfrode. In 1086 it was held by Bolla the priest. It was later granted to Robert de Neubourg, whose descendants were Lords of the Manor until the death of Sir Roger Newburgh in 1514. The Newburgh family are still commemorated in the village's full name. The Lordship then passed, along with the Newburghs' foundation of Bindon Abbey, to the Marney family, and then to the Poynings and the Howards, before being purchased by the Weld family in 1641.
The ancient road from Dorchester to Wareham ran through the centre of the village. However this was replaced by a turnpike (now the A352) in the 18th Century, and the village now lies to the south of the main road. The Red Lion Inn marks the turn to the village. North of the road lies the hamlet of East Knighton. The hamlet of East Burton, a little further to the east, was formerly part of the parish of Winfrith Newburgh, but is now part of Wool.
Also to the north of the village is the Winfrith Technology Centre, on the site of the former UKAEA Winfrith Nuclear Power station. The latter was in service from the 1950s to early 1990s, and the Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor was developed there. The surrounding heathland is a Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
The church is dedicated to Saint Christopher. It was extensively restored and enlarged in 1854. At this time the north aisle was added, however some Norman architectural features still remain, the most notable being the north doorway. The parish registers date from 1585. The parish was merged with those of Chaldon Herring, East Lulworth and West Lulworth in 1979.
The village has a Church of England Primary School (now merged with that at West Lulworth), a post office, a football team, a cricket team, a drama club, a swimming pool, and a basketball court. Knighton Heath, the Five Marys and Maggot Wood (Coombe Wood) are used for horse riding.
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