West Lulworth

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DORSET OPC

Hutchins

A manor, hamlet, farm and tithing, in the liberty of Bindon, anciently belonging to the Abbey of Bindon. It is situated 3 miles south-east from Winfrith, near the sea. Both before and after the Conquest, ‘Lulvorde’ and ‘Winfrode’ which, with ‘Wintreborne’ and ‘Chenoltone’, are spoke of in Domesday as constituting one manor, were held by the King indemesne.

It is not easy to distinguish the several Lulowordes or Lulvordes, but as West Lullworth is in the parish of Winfrith it may perhaps be the Lulvorde which was surveyed with Winfrode.

In 1641Theophilus, Earl of Suffolk, sold the manor to Humphrey Weld Esq.

The parish is bounded by the English Channel on the south, and opposite the village is a basin or creek called Lullworth Cove, partially contracted at the entrance by projecting cliffs, but expanding internally into a beautiful circular bay almost landlocked by lofty cliffs, which is now much frequented in summer by excursionists from Weymouth.

About a quarter of a mile to the north a copious spring issues from the chalk in sufficient body to afford water power for a small mill, whence it descends to the head of the creek.

Oct 4 1758 a whale came near the cove. The country people endeavoured to take him, but he broke from them and was found dead a few days after near the Isle of Wight, having been much wounded.

The chapel of West Lulworth dedicated to the Holy Trinity stands near the east end of the village and is a small edifice consisting of chancel, nave, south aisle, and tower on the south side of the nave. The tower is a perpendic building of two stages with a battlemented parapet slightly advanced, and rested on a moulded string.

It apparently incorporates the remains of an Early English tower or porch.  A rectangular stair turnet is entered by a narrow pointed doorway with chamfer and step also apparently Early English. There are two bells. The aisle is a modern erection. On a slab on the floor is a small brass plate inscribed.

The rector of Winfrith officiated here weekly in Hutchins time but of late years there has been a resident curate.

Extracted from:

The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset by John Hutchins

Volume 1 Page 440