Wimborne St Giles. BH21

                                                                    The Church & Alms Houses.

Population Approx. 275.

Situated 2 miles south west of Cranborne, the village was the seat of the Earls of Shaftesbury since the 15th Century and sits on the edge of Cranborne Chase. Anthony Ashley-Cooper was the first earl and it was he that had the manor house built in the 1650's. During the Civil Wars, he at first sided with the King but believed in the right of Parliament to rule and, at the Coronation of Charles II, he was made a Peer and Chancellor to the Exchequer. His independent thinking was his downfall and, when holding the office of Lord Chancellor was dismissed. 

The village green has the church in the background with its attached Alms Houses, built of brick and stone.

Amenities.

The Bull Public House.

C/E 1st School.

Surgery at Cranborne.

Sitting close to the Cranborne Chase a small village of charm with the centre around the village green. Approached via minor roads the appeal lies in its peaceful setting with good walking and cycling on the doorstep. Properties do change hands but quite rarely and so you have to be close to market.