What is "puddletown"

Puddletown is a village and associated civil parish in the West Dorset district of Dorset, England. The village is situated about northeast of the county town Dorchester and is sited by the River Piddle, from which it derives its name. Its civil parish covers and extends to the neighbouring River Frome to the south. In 2013 the estimated population of the civil parish was 1,450.

Puddletown's parish church has significant architectural interest, particularly its furnishings and monuments. It has a 12th-century font and well-preserved woodwork, including 17th-century box pews.

Puddletown used to be known as Piddletown, but it was changed for reasons of social decorum. The timing of this change is uncertain but it probably began during the 19th century, though it wasn't officially sanctioned until the late 1950s.

Puddletown provided the inspiration for the fictional settlement of Weatherbury in Thomas Hardy's novel Far from the Madding Crowd. Weatherbury Farm, the home of principal character Bathsheba Everdene, is based on a manor house within the parish.