Bere Regis

Bere Regis is a village situated in East Dorset at the junction of the A31 and A35. It sits in the valley of the Bere Stream that feeds the numerous watercress beds around the village. A mix of woodland and heath surrounds Bere Regis. The village has been described in various ways which mostly follow the view of Thomas Hardy which, in his novel 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles', he describes as a 'half dead townlet'. However today the quietness and tranquillity of the village can now be fully appreciated away from the fast pace of life elsewhere.

The name of Bere Regis is commonly thought to come from the Old English word meaning a grove or wood with the suffix Regis coming from the fact that in it's early history the village was part of the Crown Estate and where King John took up residence many times.Bere Regis is famous for it's connection to Hardy's novel 'Tess of the d’Urbervilles', first published in 1891, where it is referred to as 'Kingsbere'.  

Hardy's fictional d'Urbervilles were based on the ancient, real life family of the Turbervilles who were Lords of the Manor from the 13th Century right through the 18th Century. The Turbervilles lived in Wool Manor House next to Wool Bridge just a few miles from Bere Regis. Also featuring in Hardy's novel is the church of St. John the Baptist.

The present church dates from the 15th Century but there has been a church on this site since Saxon times. The church is renowned for its carved roof depicting the 12 apostles. The church also contains the stained glass Turberville window and the family's 16th Century tomb.

The parish of Bere Regis also contains the areas of Shitterton (also known as Sitterton) - a small hamlet at the western end of Bere Regis, Hollow Oak, Roke (also spelt as Roake), Woodbury Hill (an ancient hill fort and site of a long running fair) and Bere Heath to name but a few.

The Online Parish Clerk for Bere Regis is Justin Standfield
You may contact Justin if you have further queries.