Puncknowle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Puncknowle |
|
|---|---|
 The Crown public house from the churchyard |
|
 Puncknowle
|
|
| Population | 466 |
| OS grid reference | SY535886 |
| Unitary authority |
|
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Dorchester |
| Postcode district | DT2 |
| Police | Dorset |
| Fire | Dorset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Puncknowle (pronounced "PUN-əl") is a small village in the county of Dorset, located in southwest England. It sits on the southern slopes of the beautiful Bride Valley. The village is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) east of Bridport and only 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) north of Chesil Beach, which is part of the famous Jurassic Coast. In 2011, a census showed that Puncknowle, including the nearby coastal area of West Bexington, had a population of 466 people.
Contents
Welcome to Puncknowle!
Puncknowle is a quiet and historic place with a lot of charm. It's known for its old buildings and its connection to the past. The village is a great spot for those who love history and the outdoors, especially with the stunning Jurassic Coast so close by.
A Glimpse into History
Puncknowle has a rich history, with buildings and stories that go back hundreds of years. Exploring the village is like taking a step back in time.
The Old Manor House
The village is home to a special old building called a manor house. This house was built in the Jacobean style, which was popular in England during the early 1600s. In 1906, a famous doctor named Sir Frederick Treves said it was "one of the daintiest and most beautiful manor houses in the county."
For about 300 years, the Napier family owned this manor. They came to Puncknowle from a place called Merchiston in Scotland. Later, in the early 1800s, a man named Colonel Shrapnel lived there. He was famous for inventing the shrapnel shell, which was a new type of artillery shell.
St. Mary's Church
Puncknowle's parish church is dedicated to St. Mary. It has some very old parts, like a chancel arch and a west tower that date back to the 12th century. The chancel arch is a beautiful old doorway that separates the main part of the church from the altar area. The west tower was changed a bit in 1678.
Most of the church's main area (called the nave) and the rest of the chancel were rebuilt in the 1800s. Inside, you can find special memorials dedicated to the Napier family. The church also has a very unusual font. A font is a basin used for baptisms. This one has a Norman-style bowl placed on top of another font from a church in West Bexington. That original West Bexington church was destroyed by French forces in the 1500s.
Life in Puncknowle Today
Today, Puncknowle is a peaceful village. It has one public house, which is a traditional English pub, called The Crown Inn. Many people also own holiday homes here, making it a popular spot for visitors looking to enjoy the quiet countryside and the nearby coast.
