WOODSFORD, a parish in the hundred of WINFRITH,
Blandford (South) division of the county of
DORSET, 5 miles (E.) from Dorchester, containing 159
inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry
of Dorset, and diocese of Bristol, rated in the king's
books at £4. 9. 9. Mrs. Sturt was patroness in 1802.
The church is a small ancient structure with a low
tower. The parish is bounded on the north by the
river Frome, upon which are the remains of an ancient
castle, built by Guido de Brient, of a quadrangular
form, one side of which has been converted into
a farm-house, a very lofty building; the principal entrance
was on the west, where there is still an ancient
staircase, and in the south-east corner is another, both
pierced with narrow apertures for arrows, or small
arms. The offices on the basement story are all vaulted
with stone j above is an apartment called the Queen's
room, and vestiges of a chapel, and around the whole
are traces of a moat.