An introduction to the area:

Broadwindsor

The name Broadwindsor, implying chief or whole, is variously spelled in ancient documents. Windesor, Windlesore and Wynedesore are the principal forms. The Winde is the winding boundary and the Ora means bank - probably of the hills. When the Romans set up their tents on Waddon Hill around A.D.43 there was no village to be seen to the north only a few scattered farms. A thousand years later the Anglo- Saxon owner, Bondi held Windesore, and in the Domesday Survey of 1085 it is recorded that the manor was held by Hunger son of Odin. In the 13th and 14th centuries many inhabitants were freemen and names prevalent at that time are still current in the village today such as Studley, Paul and Hallett. There can be few parishes where the same families are still living after 600 years.

Even in Anglo-Saxon times there was a church at Broadwindsor. There is a very ancient yew tree in the churchyard. Six bells are housed in the tower, three of them dating from pre-Reformation days, and with the names of the early 14th century clergymen know,n it is likely their descendants still live locally.

When Henry VIII came to power he raised a local militia to deal with emergencies and it can be read that "In the Dorset lists, thirty-eight able-bodied men are noted at Broadwindsor." The parish itself was expected to provide" a suit of armour, a bow and a sheaf of arrows to serve the King".

Probably Broadwindsor's most noted claim to fame is its connection with Charles II. After his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651 he realised he must flee the country and under a false names stayed the night at the Castle Inn which later became The George Inn where he was given rooms at the top of the house. Then a constable arrived at the inn with 40 soldiers in search of the King, but when a camp follower went into labour in the kitchen the ensuing hullabaloo allowed him to escape disguised as a serving wench.

At the beginning of the 19th century Broadwindsor was a thriving place. but gradually sank into its present day calm. Today the centre of Broadwindsor is a Conservation Area surrounded by beautiful countryside and remains an ideal refuge from the noisy modern towns which now surround it.

Drimpton

Drimpton is one of the parishes making up the Broadwindsor group.  They already have a full and excellent website with history, diary, clubs and organisations etc.  To view their website please use the link marked 'Drimpton' to the right of this page.

Seaborough

The small Hamlet of Seaborough consists of some 24 dwellings and 4 farms situated on the South side of Seaborough Hill between Crewkerne and Broadwindsor. Its Church, St John's, has been on its present site since the land was gifted by a local land owner in 1415 during the reign of Henry V. Major alterations to the building occurred in 1728 and 1882. The Church contains the stone effigy of a 13th Century Crusader, believed to that of John Golde, who distinguished himself during the Siege of Damietta in 1219 during the 5th Crusade. Seaborough's name in Anglo-Saxon times was Seveberge and was listed as such in 1085 in William the Conqueror's Domesday Book.

Details of a Book entitled "The Parish Church of Seaborough" which contains the Church's Story, Associations and Transcribed Registers are available by clicking on the 'Seaborough-Church' link to the right of this page.

• Contact details

  Contact details for Broadwindsor Group Parish Council