The part of Wool seen by the traveler leading east or west is modern and scattered, all except the magnificent 17th Century gabled Manor House beside a bridge two centuries older, with recesses for walkers, which crosses the river Frome.

Nearby are the remains of Bindon Abbey, founded in 1172 by the Cistercians. The last abbot surrendered to the king in 1539 and in 1664 the larger part of the Abbey was burned down. Much of the stone went into the building of nearby Lulworth Castle. Of particular interest to the visitor is the empty, open coffin of Abbot Richard de Maners. It was here that the fictional, sleepwalking Angel Clare carried Tess in Thomas Hardy's novel.