Owermoigne DT2 

Population of 450 (2001)

Homes. 217

Private Ownership 81%

Average prices.  Under DT2 however 3 sales in the village over the past 2 years indicate just under £500,000. 

The village of Owermoigne, three miles from Ringstead Bay, has never had a pub, but such was the high incidence of smuggling activities long ago, that it probably never needed one. Kegs of contraband spirit were hidden in the church, and the rectory has a blocked up window where once the rector's barrel was smuggled in. Of the original 15th century church only the tower, (used by the 18th century smugglers as a store), remains. the rest of the church was rebuilt in 1884 with rather odd square windows.   An odd array of bungalows and houses are left behind as old Owermoigne comes into view, with a village centre typically Dorset, but with an unhappy and violent history. Owermoigne's disgrace occurred in the 16th century. The Moygnes lived there from Norman times for 300 years. The last heiress married a Stourton and a few generations later the act which brought shame to a family and a village took place'   Charles, Lord Stourton, was in dispute with a father and son called Hartgill. He invited them to his home pretending that he had forgiven them and clubbed them to death, burying them 15 feet beneath his cellar, and covered the spot with barrels of brandy. The deed however, was discovered. Sentenced to be hanged, he pleaded for some indulgence from Queen Mary. After all he was a Catholic and a nobleman. With a wry sense of humor, the Queen ordered that he should be hanged with a 'halter of silk in respect of his quality' and they buried that fiendish murderer in Salisbury Cathedral.

However, the first part of the name Owermoigne has always been puzzling from the etymological point of view. The name is first on record in the Domesday Book of 1086 with the strange spelling Ogre, and subsequent medieval spellings include Ogres in 1210, Oweres in 1212, Oure in 1219, Oghre in 1244, and Ogris in 1275. The suggestion that it might be from Old English ofer 'a slope or ridge'
In 1588 a ship of the Spanish Armada came ashore at Ringstead Bay, was plundered and the crew murdered. Timber from the ship became beams in the rectory dining room at Owermoigne. French born, Theodore Janssen, once lived at Owermoigne, a man of vast fortunes hated by the villagers earning 7 or 8 shillings a week. He was an astute businessman and King William knighted him and later he was created a baronet by Queen Anne. He was a director of the South Sea Company and when the 'Bubble' burst, Walpole blamed the company and scapegoat Janssen was forced to return £250,000. He died in 1748.  

The second part of the villages name is straightforward, since -moigne is a manorial affix from the family of Moigne (from Old French moine 'monk') who held this manor from the beginning of the 13th century. Owermoigne first appears with the manorial addition in the 14th century in such spellings Oure Moyngne in 1314 and Ovre Moigne in 1375. The same family gave its name to Shipton Moyne in Gloucestershire.

Amenities.

 Village hall.

Our View.

This village really is a bit of a well kept secret, it is often missed by the property searcher in favour of more established well known villages. The main village is to the north of the main A352 with a minor road running north to Woodsford and Puddletown. Just off the beaten track the village relies on the local town of Dorchester for shopping. To the south of the main road is the Ringstead beach, a shingle beach with rock pools, well worth a visit  to get away from the holiday crowds! The village is pretty with a mix of old and new. Regular village events at the village hall and  church  leave one to conclude that there is a thriving community.