Monument record MDO7167 - Medieval well, Bere Regis

On the west side of Woodbury Hill was a chantry said to have been dedicated to St Anchoretta, but this could be a misreading of Sancta Anchoretta, or the holy hermitage. It is mentioned in 1408 and 1411. Foundations of the chapel were still visible in Hutchin's time (circa 1774). Near it was a well called the Anchoret's Well. <1>

No visible surface indications of the well were discovered, now under pasture. <3>

No evidence of the well remains. Surveyed at 1:2500 on M.S.D. See plan with SY 89 SE 2. <5>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1861, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 1, 135 (Monograph). SWX4496.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1902 (Map). SWX1540.

(SY 85599473) Well (NR) (site of) (NAT)

<3> Colquhoun, F D, Field Investigators Comments FDC, F1 FDC 14-JAN-53 (Unpublished document). SWX2609.

<4> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 485-486 (Monograph). SDO150.

‘(118) WOODBURY (SY 89 SE; 856948) is a contour hill-fort which occupies the entire flat top of the gravel capped spur called Woodbury Hill … The surface of the interior is uneven in many places but it is impossible to detect anything certainly ancient. The chapel shown on the plan certainly existed in the early 15th century and its footings were still traceable in the late 18th century (Hutchins, ibid). The nearby well was traditionally associated with it.’

<5> Attrill, N J, Field Investigators Comments NJA, F2 NJA 14-MAY-81 (Unpublished document). SDO14743.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 456105 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 20 2025 2:56PM