Long Crichel

Photograph courtesy of Peter Walker ©

Long Crichel is a hamlet and parish in east Dorset, situated on Cranborne Chase five miles north east of Blandford Forum. It lies in Champaine country and is 2 miles north west of Moor Crichel in the Hundred of Knowlton, Union of Cranborne and Wimborne. First recorded as Circel DB 1086 Longe Curchel 1280, a very ancient name from Celtic {crug} meaning {Mound-Hill or Barrow} explained in {hyll}OE, hill an early addition. The hill is now Crichel Down. In the 13th c Aiulf the Chamberlain held this place with Hampreston.

It had two Manors, one called Govis and one Lucy from the two families here from early 13th c. The West of the Parish was known as Crichel Govis and the East Crichel Lucy from c1250. There was a mill for grain here and 18 acres of pasture. The church of St Mary was rebuilt in 1851 and was joined with Moor Crichel in 1855, it dates now from this period. The Rectory with Moor Crichel annexed was in the patronage of H Sturt esq. The re-building cost in 1850s £10,000 and a new organ on the buildings completion. The Hamlet of Mangewood is in the Parish.

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