Wyke Regis — Dorset, England
Wyke Regis is a village in Dorset, located within walking distance of Chesil Beach and The Fleet along the beautiful Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site and An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Although Wyke Regis is a village in its own right, it is considered a suburb of the burgeoning town of Weymouth, host to the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic Games. Wyke Regis is one of the oldest settlements in this area, and is proud of its long and rich history. Wyke Regis had settlements of Stone Age hunters along the Fleet where shellfish and sea birds were plentiful. These hunters left behind stone hand axes and spears to evidence their passing; they gave way to Bronze Age settlers whose barrows, or burial mounds were evident at Wyke Regis on Camp Road until a 1937 housing construction project destroyed the site. Another pre-roman find was a stone coffin, found at North Road and kitchen middens were found deeper underground evidencing habitation from an even earlier time. Barrow Rise in Wyke Regis, lacking evidence of being a burial ground may possibly have been a Celtic hill fort. Barrow Rise was used for centuries by the villagers as a look-out where they provided warnings of shipwrecks on Chesil and Lyme Bay. The pre-historic Barrow Rise met its demise during World War II when it was used by the Army who found no evidence that it was a burial ground and later the site was used to build houses.
Wyke Regis was home to the Celtic tribe of Durotriges until the strength of the Roman armies took precedence. In 1858 a Romano-British grave was found on a hill just above All Saints Church, the first of several that would be found in later years. It is believed that the Romans settled on Portland in large numbers, in close proximity to Wyke Regis. The history of invasions that followed the retreat of the Roman Legions during the 5th century led to Saxon rule and eventually in 1066 to Norman rule. The Domesday Book of 1086 did not mention Wyke Regis by name, but did make reference to four fishermen at "Bridge", which may be near Little Bridge Farm off Camp Road. By 1221 a Fair and Market at Wyke came into being which allowed trade and a modicum of socialization, which continued until 1875 at which time the Fair was primarily for socialization.
The All Saints' Church in Wyke Regis is part of the rich history this village has to offer, as it also served Weymouth for centuries until Holy Trinity was built in 1836. There were at least two earlier churches on the hill where All Saints' is located, with the present church being consecrated in 1455. The church is more ornate than most village churches, and above the south door is a carving of the Royal Arms of Henry VIII, moved from Sandsfoot Castle circa 1665 when the castle was abandoned due to erosion. Sandsfoot Castle lies along the Coastal Path in the northeast of Wyke Regis, where the ruins can be accessed by going through the small park and gardens located there. The castle was one of the Device Forts of Henry VIII, as is Nothe Fort which is also in close proximity to Wyke Regis. The church has had its share of renown, King George III attended All Saints' Church during his summer visits to Weymouth during the years 1790-1805; and The Earl of Abergavenny, among the victims of the wrecked East Indiaman Alexander and its captain John Wordsworth, brother of poet William Wordsworth, are buried in the churchyard.
There is much to see and do in Wyke Regis; the village has many old buildings, one of which is Manor Farm which may have been built in the same era as the church; playing an important part in the life of the village. Some of the old buildings are cottages; some are used for business, as the Albert Inn and of course, the Wyke Smugglers. After all, what Dorset Coast village would be complete if it did not have a public house to reflect the glory of harbouring a smuggler in its midst. Visiting the Brewer's Quay, a Victorian brewery which was converted to shops, attractions and restaurants will entertain the family; Nothe Fort for the war buff, Nothe Gardens for the family, Chesil Beach for the fossil hunter or the sunbather, the South West Coast Path which runs through the Nothe Gardens for the hiker, footpaths for the day walker, the peaceful Rodwell Trail which runs from Wyke Regis to Weymouth with a view of Portland harbour and Portland for the art collector.
With all of the antiquity in the village, it is interesting to note that Wyke Regis was home to a most modern industry, Whitehead Torpedo Works, a major employer during the years of its activity here. Whitehead opened in 1897, at the turn of the century, helping the Royal Navy at Portland to become a major anti-submarine and torpedo centre in both WWI and WWII. Although Whitehead's has closed, the building still stands, a "modern" memory of times past.
Where is Wyke Regis?Wyke Regis is located in Dorset along the A354 road between Weymouth and Portland. The nearest populated areas include Portesham to the north and Portland to the south.
Map of Wyke Regis, circa 1940.
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