The name comes from the little River Mude that runs into the harbour at nearby Christchurch and it was while at Gundimore House on the shore here that Sir Walter Scott and Coleridge both found inspiration and the harbour entrance was witness to many battles that were fought between the excise men and smugglers. This was once a muddy ford and the name Muda was Saxon for the mouth of a river.

It was visited by George II who inspected it before making it a leading resort but instead he moved on to Weymouth where he set up bathing. Another visitor here was Tregonwell who only stayed for a paddle then went on and founded Bournemouth!

Today the village has been badly marred by modern developments but the Quay is here and offers visitors lovely views and often salmon netting can be seen in season.

The ferry runs across the harbour entrance and on to Hengistbury Head and eventually to Christchurch, Wick and Tuckton. On the Quay can be found some beautiful Dutch style cottages and there was an old fisherman's inn where the tide used to often cut it off, a wall and  a large carpark was built and the little inn is now a cosy bar.