Here are 5 local churches in Dorset all within 10 miles from our Dorset bed and breakfast, chosen either for links with famous people such as Thomas Hardy and TE Lawrence, or chosen for their interesting history.
1. Lady Saint Mary’s Church, Wareham
The parish church of Lady Saint Mary, Wareham is a church of Anglo-Saxon origin.
It was originally built around 705 and a nunnery may have been associated with it. After a Danish raid in 876, it was destroyed and was rebuilt by the daughter of King Alfred the Great.
An interesting fact about this church is that in 978 a young 15-year-old Saxon king called Edward the Martyr was initially buried here after he was murdered on his way to Corfe Castle to visit his half brother and stepmother. He was tragically intercepted by assassins.
As the story goes, he was a victim of his stepmother who wanted her son Ethelred the Unready to rule the throne, which Ethelred did immediately afterwards.
King Edward the Martyr’s remains were removed shortly after being buried at this church and reburied at Shaftesbury Abbey.
2. Saint Martin’s Church, Wareham
Saint Martin’s Church, Wareham has a Saxon exterior and is the most complete Saxon church in Dorset believed to date from around 1200.
After the Great Fire of Wareham in 1762, several residents who lost their home sheltered here.
Inside is a stone memorial of TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) 1888 – 1935. Scholar, soldier, airman and diplomat, who died after a motorcycle accident at nearby Bovington.
His rural retreat close to Bovington called ‘Clouds Hill’ is owned by the National Trust.
Saint Martin’s church is located on the final stop of our ‘Saxon Walls of Wareham’ walk. Please refer to our blog here: https://www.spurwing.info/saxon-walls-of-wareham/
3. Saint Nicholas Church, Moreton
Saint Nicholas Church is our favourite of the 5 local churches in Dorset to visit. Approximately 10 miles away from us, it is in a pretty village called Moreton. It is Georgian Gothic and dates to 1776.
TE Lawrence’s (Lawrence of Arabia) funeral took place here on 21st May 1935. The cemetery next to the church is where Lawrence’s grave can be found.
The beautiful glass windows were engraved by the late Sir Laurence Whistler, British poet and artist.
The ‘Walled Garden Moreton’ has a café and a garden. ‘Employ My Ability’ is also based here which offers vocational training to help empower young people aged 16-25 with special educational needs.
4. Saint Mary’s Church, Tyneham
Saint Mary’s Church is in the abandoned village of Tyneham, which is 7 miles away from us.
The village was given a month to evacuate in 1943 during World War 2.
When the inhabitants left, they pinned a note to the church door which read:
Please treat the church and houses with care. We have given up our homes where many of us have lived for generations to help win the war to keep men free.
We will return one day and thank you for treating the village kindly.
Unfortunately, they did not return.
The village and surrounding area is managed by the Ministry of Defence so access is sometimes limited due to army training exercises. Generally they are open at weekends and public holidays, however for exact opening dates and times and for further information go to: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/lulworth-range-walks
5. Saint Michael’s Church, Stinsford
The last of our 5 local churches in Dorset is the 13th Century medieval church of Saint Michael which is located down a quiet lane in Stinsford, quite close to Thomas Hardy’s Cottage, 1 mile east of Dorchester.
Hardy’s wishes were that he would be buried with his parents here. However, after his death in 1928, the authorities at Westminster Abbey suggested that he be buried in ‘Poets’ Corner’. Faced with this dilemma his wife decided that his heart be buried in Stinsford and his ashes be interred in the Abbey.
Hardy’s connection with Stinsford is a strong one. St Michael’s was his parish church. He was baptised in the font, and he attended services here and later taught Sunday School.
The historic treasure of St Michael’s church has nothing to do with Thomas Hardy. It is a small relief carving of an angel, thought to date to the late Saxon period. The angel stands in a niche in the west wall of the tower.
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