[1] In 1086 in the Domesday Book Turnworth was recorded as Torneworde;[2] it had 19 households, was in Pimperne Hundred and the lord and tenant-in-chief was Alfred of 'Spain'.

[3] The church, with the exception of the tower, was rebuilt in the 19th century with assistance from Thomas Hardy, who designed the capitals and possibly also the corbels.

[4] Nearby is Ringmoor, an ancient settlement on the top of the scarp face of the downs.

For UK general elections, Turnworth is part of the North Dorset constituency.

Locally, Turnworth is part of the Stour and Allen Vale ward for elections to Dorset Council.