north to south. From west to east the geology of the parish comprises a thin strip of Oxford clay around the Stour, a long ridge of Corallian sand and limestone between the Stour and Chivrick's Brook, then lower-lying Kimmeridge clay between Chivrick's Brook and the eastern boundary. Marnhull village is sited on the ridge of Corallian beds, which form the highest part of the parish and are the source of the building stone extensively used throughout it. Culture Cultural references Thomas Hardy described Marnhull as 'Marlott' in his novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles. The Crown Inn is described by Hardy as 'The Pure Drop Inn', and The Blackmore Vale Inn is described as 'Rollivers' - a disreputable and illegal drinking house, where secret ale drinking groups gathered upstairs. The television adaptation of the book was filmed in the village. Notable residents Catherine Parr the last of Henry VIII's wives was given the original manor of Nash Court in 1544. From her it passed to Edward VI and then to Elizabeth I after which it passed through the families of several noblemen and eminent civilians. Giles Hussey was born here and lived at Nash House before studying art in Italy. William Gosling (footballer) was living at Lovells Court, Marnhull, at the 1911 Census. Sir Peter Harding, GCB, (born 2 December 1933) is a retired Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff, and Chief of Defence Staff. References External links The Marnhull Village Parish Plan 2006 Villages in Dorset Civil parishes in Dorset