Shipton Gorge

Shipton Gorge is a parish 2¾ miles south-east from Bridport. The village was named after the de Gorge family who came from Normandy. Nearby is Shipton Hill on which are the remains of an ancient camp. The church of St Martin was rebuilt in 1862, the tower being the only remaining part from the 14th century church that was retained. Within is a 13th century stone font. It seats 220 persons and the registers date from 1675.

Note that Shipton Gorge was formerly (until the 1860s) a Chapel of Ease to Burton Bradstock. Therefore many events concerning Shipton Gorge residents were recorded in the Burton Bradstock registers. No Burial Register has been deposited at the Dorset History Centre, probably because it is still in use.

© Chris Rumbold 2002

© Lynda Small 2003

The village contains several examples of 18th century thatched cottages. A National School was built in 1862 for 90 children. The soil is mainly clay and limestone and during the 19th century the chief crops were wheat, barley and oats, with some land laid to pasture. The area is 1528 acres. In 1861 the population was 413 and in 1891 was down to 318.

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