It is sited on Kimmeridge clay soil[1] beneath hills at the edge of the Blackmore Vale.

[4] In 1905 Sir Frederick Treves described Motcombe as "a hamlet of gardens at the foot of the hill" and wrote of the village houses that they "are facing all ways, as if they were shy of the road or were undecided which way to turn.

"[5] The parish church of St Mary was rebuilt in 1846, although its font dates from Norman times.

Within the park is Motcombe House, built in 1893 in Tudor style,[2] and now home to Port Regis, a large private preparatory school.

[6] The nearest railway station is at Gillingham, although the line itself cuts through the outskirts of the village.