Dorset community of Bothenhampton - how it got two churches

These old pictures of Bothenhampton, a parish now forming a suburb of Bridport, show both its old church, which dates back to the 14th century, and the new church, which was constructed in 1887.

When the church became too small, instead of rebuilding it, a new church was built.

The old church is at the east end of the village and its remains comprise the tower and chancel.

It is presumably the focus of the medieval settlement. There is a mixed area of thatched cottages and modern houses adjacent to the church that may be of considerable antiquity in origin. 

Old church of Bothenhampton and, right, the former Post Office (Image: Claud Hider) The new parish church, Holy Trinity, was designed by the Arts and Crafts movement architect Edward Schroeder Prior in 1889.

It was his first church. Although it appears plain from the outside, the interior has received national acclaim. The new church is on a hill about a mile from the small port of West Bay. The registers date from 1722.

New Holy Trinity Church, Bothenhampton (Image: Supplied) Bothenhampton is separated from Bridport only by the River Asker and the Bridport by-pass.

It was a settlement in Saxon times and in the Domesday Book of 1086, it was part of the manor of Loders, it was then called Bothenamtone. It was originally a separate village but modern expansion has enveloped it.

READ MORE: Old pictures of village with boarding school and manor

In another picture here, taken by Bridport photographer Claud Hider, you can see Bothenhampton from afar.

Bothenhampton from afar (Image: Claud Hider) The area of the parish is only 833 acres and the soil is clay and loam.

During the 19th century the chief crops were wheat, barley, flax and some pasture. In 1801 in the population was 334, in 1891 it was 490 and by 2001 was nearly 2000.

The eastern part of the area has a more rural feel and the western part is more recognisably the village centre.

Bothenhampton (Image: Claud Hider) The village centre comprises an 18th/19th century terrace of cottages on the north side of Main Street. On the opposite side of the street are a number of vernacular farmhouses of 16th-19th century date. There is a row of late 19th century houses on the north side of Old Church Road. The modern farm buildings of Church Farm lie north of the church and there are a number of areas of modern infill of neo-vernacular style houses.

READ MORE: Scenes of a Dorset village that doesn't live up to its name

Homes in Bothenhampton (Image: Claud Hider) Other buildings of significance include the Tudor Revival style Old School House and the red brick village hall. Some of the modern buildings, including those at Manor Barn and down Quarry Lane are in neovernacular style.

In addition to the buildings, there is a distinctive raised pavement with stone retaining wall along Main Street and a number of stone boundary walls: that around the old churchyard is particularly fine.

The distinctive raised pavement in Bothenhampton (Image: Claud Hider) In addition to the buildings, there is a distinctive raised pavement with stone retaining wall along Main Street and a number of stone boundary walls: that around the old churchyard is particularly fine.

Thanks to Neil Mattingly for his digital preservation of the Claud Hider collection and to the Dorset OPC website for the extra information.