Encombe

Known as Hennecumbe in 1244 and Henycumbe in 1280 this is The valley of the hens. Probably referring to water-hens or other wildfowl.

Despite the name and the presence of a lake in a natural amphitheatre called "The Golden Bowl" Encombe did not have a reliable water supply until The second Earl of Eldon tunnelled through the hill to the east and installed over two miles of cast iron pipes and reservoirs. Excess water forms a stream where there was a dry valley before and a waterfall discharges into the sea at Egmont Bight.

The first Earl of Eldon was John Scott, William Pitt the Younger's Lord Chancellor. He bought the valley from another branch of the Pitt family who built Encombe House about about 1770.

The valley has always been a private place and it remains so. There are occasional open days but generally visitors are restricted to footpaths and the coastal path which skirt the area. The view from Swyre Head above the valley to the west is well worth the climb.

Stay at The Priory Hotel when you visit Encombe
Next: Furzebrook
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