Building record MDO7534 - Chapel, Encombe, Corfe Castle

Possible chapel identified within the grounds of Encombe House, close to Encombe Farm, incorporated in a garden wall of the farmhouse. Field investigations in 1986 located no traces of the chapel.

The probable remains of a chapel, close to Encombe Farm were discovered by Colonel and Mrs H E Scott of Encombe House. The acquisition of a print entitled Chapel, Encombe by John Claude Nattes (1765? - 1822) led to the search and to the identification of ruined walls incorporated in a garden wall of the farmhouse at SY 94387792. The print showed some neighbouring cottages no longer in existence, and rubble suggests their location close to the south end of the southernmost of three lakes between Encombe House and the farm buildings, at SY 94427795. <1>

Nowhere around Encombe Farm was material seen that could represent building which seems to have been a potting shed for the kitchen garden. No rubble or foundations of cottages could now be found near the southern end of the lake. <2>

<1> Farrar R A H ed, 1975, A lost chapel at Encombe, Corfe Castle, p67 (Article in serial). SWX2840.

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1976, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1975, 67 (Serial). SDO75.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 27-APR-86 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Records, SY 97 NW 39 (Index). SDO131.

<4> Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1983, Isle of Purbeck Survey, IOP 340 (Index). SDO147.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 456604 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 11 2023 12:13PM