Traditionally it is part of the historic county of Hampshire, and was a small village until the growth of the South East Dorset conurbation in the 20th century.

The local Scout hut, situated on Stanpit recreation ground is named Orestes after the Royal Navy cutter which took part.

[6] It was formed as the result of action and deposition of material from the rivers Stour and Avon as they meet with the salt water within Christchurch Harbour.

[7] Stanpit Marsh is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an important nature reserve of about 65 hectares (160 acres), combining both freshwater and saltwater habitats.

In 1969 an excavation by Michael Ridley recovered flints, Neolithic Grooved Ware, and an almost complete Bronze Age inverted collared urn containing the cremated remains of a child.

[7] A circular path on the marsh crosses Mother Siller's Channel by way of a Bailey bridge of the sort developed in Christchurch.

Mother Siller's Channel is named after an 18th-century smuggler, Hannah Seller, the landlady of the Haven House at Mudeford and also reputedly of the Ship in Distress at Stanpit.

During periods of low tide, channels and creeks began to appear and the isolated banks of silt became colonised by plants such as Glassworts, Sea Purslane and Seablite all of which have a high tolerance to salt water.

Excavations in 1969 on the eastern bank of Mother Siller's Channel revealed finds left by Mesolithic nomadic people (3000 BC).

As well as flint fragments, traces of Purbeck Limestone and Portland stone were discovered showing evidence of human movements across Dorset.

It appears that she was deeply involved in the free-trade: she allowed both pubs to be used for storage and would induce customers to assist smuggling vessels in difficulties.

[15] Next door to the pub was a tobacco and snuff factory, owned by the by then 'respectable' John Streeter who had earlier been gaoled for his part in the battle.

On the site is a fresh water spring that is reputed to be of great antiquity and have special healing properties, especially for improving eyesight.

In 1884 it was reported that it was "mentioned in ancient documents as a mineral well, and is supposed to possess properties highly beneficial to persons afflicted with weak eyes.

[16] The following year, eminent Bournemouth based physician Horace Dobell similarly wrote that "one spring at Stanpit has a mediæval fame as a good water and curative agent (monkish specific for blindness).

[17] According to an anonymous letter printed in the local Christchurch Times newspaper in 1868, the name of the site dates to the Civil War period.

In 1885 the Well was informally granted to the local inhabitants as a public water supply by the landowner, Sir William Rose, with the wish that it should commemorate his late parents, the Rt.