Fontmell Magna Parish Dorset

Fontmell Magna is a village and a parish 4 miles south from Shaftesbury and 8 miles north from Blandford. It is on the edge of the Vale of Blackmore with the slopes of Cranbourne Chase on the east side of the parish. A chalk stream rising in the hills flows through the village. The village is mentioned in Saxon chronicles and in the Domesday Book.
	The church of St Andrew is on a rise above the village and contains many interesting features, it was restored in 1862 by the Glyn family. The registers date from 1653. A Wesleyan Chapel, which is still in use is believed to be one of the earliest erected in Dorset, being constructed in 1797. It is opposite the War Memorial. A National School was constructed in 1865. The parish covers 2632 acres and the chief crops used to be wheat, barley, oats, beans and carrots as well as a considerable number of apple orchards. The population in 1861 was 875, in 1891 was 637 and is currently about 700. All photographs © OPC Project 2009
There is currently no OPC for Fontmell Magna
Census	On line:- 1841 Census transcribed by Nicola Merrifield 1851 Census transcribed by Nicola Merrifield 1861 Census includes Fontmell Parva transcribed by Royston Clarke 1871 Census 1881 Census 1891 Census
Parish Registers	The parish registers date from 1675, Bishop's Transcripts date from 1731 Baptisms Marriage Burials 1790-1879 transcribed by Richard Travell
Postal Directories	Donations welcomed
Other Records	Donations welcomed
Photographs	More Photographs of the church & village
Maps	The 1891 Ordnance Survey maps of the parish can be seen at the old-maps site, just enter 'Fontmell Magna' under place search.
	For modern location maps visit:- www.multimap.com