Wool and East Stoke

About our Parish

Wool, a village in the Purbeck district of Dorset, has a population of 4,118 (2001), though the population is prone to fluctuations due to the nearby Army camps at Bovington and Lulworth. The village is built at an historic bridging point (Woolbridge) on the River Frome between Dorchester and Wareham. As well as the mediaeval church of Holy Rood, and RC, Methodist and Vineyard churches, there are local shops, and excellent walking on signposted footpaths and bridleways.

Just over a mile from Wool village lie the ruins of the medieval Cistercian Bindon Abbey. The abbey was built on this site in 1172, the land being provided by Roger de Newburgh and his wife Matilda. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries of 1539, much of the stone from Bindon Abbey was used to build Lulworth Castle.

Wool has several links to 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy. The ruins of Bindon Abbey feature in the book as the place where the sleep-walking Angel Clare carried Tess and placed her in an empty stone coffin. Woolbridge Manor House has been identified as 'Wellbridge House', where Tess and Angel Clare spent their doomed honeymoon.

Local places of interest include the Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World primate sanctuary.

(original sources: Wikipedia; Dorset Online Parish Clerk)

Population: 4118

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For Genealogical Enquiries the local Diocesan Record Office is:

Dorset Record Office, Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RP

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For Parish enquiries please contact:

The Revd Rhona Floate
Wool Vicarage, Vicarage Close, Wool, Dorset, BH20 6EB
Tel: 01929 462215

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Churches in our Parish or Benefice

The Church of the Holy Rood