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Winterborne Steepleton (#34 on map) is a civil parish and a village in Dorset, England, situated in a winterborne valley 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Dorchester, next to the village of Winterborne Abbas (#29).
The name of the village derives from its site next to a seasonal winterbourne stream and from having a stone church steeple - one of only three medieval stone spires in the county (the others being at Iwerne Minster and Trent). In the UK census of 2011 the parish had a population of 297.
Winterbourne Steepleton is a rural village set back from the main road. Notable buildings include Steepleton Manor, a large house built of Portland stone dating from 1870 and replacing a previous building. Close by is the thatched Manor Cottage, built in the 16th century, and Manor Farm, dating from the 17th century or earlier. Close to the east end of the parish church is the 17th century Mill House, built of stone and brick.
The parish church, dedicated to St. Michael, dates mostly from the 12th and 13th centuries, although the nave has Saxon elements and the tower and porch are 14th-century addition. It is a Grade I listed building.
Governance
Winterborne Steepleton was originally a parish in the Uggscombe Hundred, one of the hundreds or early subdivisions of the county of Dorset. From 1894 until 1974 it was part of the Dorchester Rural District.
In 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, all urban and rural districts across England were abolished and counties were reorganized into metropolitan and non-metropolitan districts. Winterborne Steepleton joined the non-metropolitan West Dorset District.
Under another set of local government reforms adopted on 1 April 2019, West Dorset District was abolished, and the county of Dorset (excluding Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole) became a single unitary authority. The area is now administered by Dorset Council.
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