Description
Melcombe Horsey or Melcombe Bingham, a parish in Dorsetshire, 10 miles WSW of Blandford station on the L. & S.W.R., and 10 NE by N of Dorchester. It contains part of the hamlet of Hartsfoot Lane, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office of the name of Melcombe Bingham under Dorchester. Acreage, 2157; population, 182. Melcombe Bingham belonged to the Turbervilles, from whom it passed to the Binghams. Sir Richard Bingham, who was at the siege of St Quintin, was born here. Nettlecombe Tout, a hill in the W of the parish, which commands a fine and extensive view, was formerly a British encampment. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury; gross value, £270 with residence. The church dates from the early part of the 13th century and has a low tower. Henry Chichele, archbishop of Canterbury, was one of the former rectors of the parish.
Parish Church
The church of St. Andrew is a small building in the Gothic style, and consists of chancel, nave, two chantries or transepts, south porch and an embattled western tower containing 2 bells: there are some interesting fragments of ancient glass and monuments to the families of Bingham and Horsey: the church affords 180 sittings.
The register dates from the year 1690.
Villages, Hamlets, &c.
Hartsfoot Lane, a hamlet in Hilton and Melcombe Horsey parishes, Dorsetshire, 6 1/2 miles ENE of Cerne Abbas.
