DORSET : TOWNS AND VILLAGES An especially rural county and with a population of just 700,000, Dorset has no cities but its towns are vibrant coastal resorts or market towns, surrounded by picturesque, traditional villages. BLANDFORD FORUM Located on the river Stour at the south eastern corner of the Blackmore Vale, where the county s dairy industry was focused, the town was a major market town ( Forum means market). In 1731 much of the town was destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in the Georgian style of the era much of this architecture remains to this day. The Town Hall exemplifies the Georgian style of the rebuilt town. St Peter and Paul Church is an attractive classical building with an elaborate interior. The fire monument, which looks like a miniature classical temple, commemorates the rebuilding of the town. There are river walks along the Stour and surrounding water meadows. Hall & Woodhouse s brewery is within walking distance of the town centre; one of the few remaining family-owned breweries in England, the brewery offers tours and has a visitor centre. Royal Signals Museum covers the history of army communications.. Nearby villages of note: Tarrant Monkton, Milton Abbas and Sturminster Newton. BRIDPORT Formerly the rope capital of England (the old saying to be stabbed with a Bridport dagger meant to be hanged!), now an attractive market town at the heart of Dorset s farmlands. It is predominantly Georgian in style with the principal streets broad and spacious and intriguing backstreets and alleyways. Fortnightly farmers market (2 nd Saturday of the month) is one of the largest in Dorset but the Street Market is held on every Wednesday and Saturday. Washing Pool Farm Shop (just north of the town) is one of the best in the county. Quaker Meeting House and almshouses dating from the 17 th and 18 th centuries. The Chantry not open to the public but is the oldest secular building in the town. In 1368, it was endowed as a chantry - the home of a priest - and in the attic there was a pigeon loft used to provide fresh meat to supplement the priest's diet and income. Bridport Museum has displays on the history of town including ropemaking and netting industry. Palmers Brewery was founded in 1794 and is the only thatched brewery in the UK.
Town Hall Grade I listed Georgian building, the Fra Newbury exhibition is on permanent display. Newbury was born in Bridport and closely associated with the Glasgow Boys, a group of artists who were part of the European avant-garde in the early 1890s.. Nearby villages of note: Beaminster, Loders and Abbotsbury CHRISTCHURCH A particularly attractive town where the Rivers Avon and Stour converge into the sea and famed for its Priory. The Priory is one of the few monastery churches to have survived Henry VIII s rule and is reputed to be the longest church in England. The town has a scenic harbour and nearby is Mudeford Harbour, used by local fishermen. The current building of Christchurch Priory was built in the 11 th century. The medieval roof still exists and is visible above the newer one; the roof includes the Miraculous Beam lies above the south aisle and was once the object of pilgrimages; the medieval builders found that a vital beam was too short; when they returned the next morning it was miraculously not only the right length but in position. There is an impressive alabaster tomb for Margaret Countess of Salisbury; once described by Henry VIII as the most saintly woman in England, he made her governess to his daughter Mary but she fell from favour and was executed in 1541 at the age of 70. There is also a memorial to the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (his wife Mary s mother lived in nearby Bournemouth and his heart is buried in a grave in Bournemouth). St Michaels Loft Museum offers views of the town, harbour and Hengistbury Head. In the grounds of the Priory are a 12 th century castle and Constable s house which survive as ruins. The town was a base for smuggling underneath the town are old tunnels used by smugglers and the salmon weather vane on the Priory was used by smugglers as a sign for when the excise-men were approaching! The town was famous for watch-making and was the world centre for fusee The Regent Centre on the High Street is an Art Deco style cinema and theatre. Museum of Electricity set in an Edwardian power station, full historic display and working models telling the story of electricity. The Ducking Stool was used for nagging wives, criminals & witches! Place Mill on the quayside dates back to the Domesday Book of 11 th century. The Red Museum & Gardens was once the parish workhouse and now has extensive displays of local history and artefacts. Silver Street towards the quayside from the high street is a particularly pretty street of cottages. The Quayside includes Victorian bandstand, ferries to surrounding areas and motor boats for hire. To the east of the town, Mudeford Harbour is known as a local spot for crabbing. Highcliffe Castle is one of the best examples of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture. Hengistbury head is now a nature reserve but was a major trading port dating back to prehistoric times
DORCHESTER The capital of Dorset, though not the largest town. It has a long history, being populated by 100AD and being the only Roman town in Dorset; however it is better known today the heart of Hardy Country. For a Hardy trail, visit the County Museum which has the best collection of Hardy memorabilia in the world, see the statue of Hardy at the top of the High Street and just outside the town, visit the cottage where he was born and Max Gate which he built in his later years and then Stinsford Church where his heart is buried (his body is in Westminster Abbey). The Dorset County Museum is the best museum for the archaeology, natural history and geology of Dorset and includes a Jurassic Coast display. Just outside the Museum is a statue of William Barnes, the Dorset poet. Remains of a Roman townhouse just behind the County Hall building. Just outside town are the Maumbury Rings, the remains of a Neolithic henge monument and adapted by the Romans as an amphitheatre and Maiden Castle, the largest prehistoric fort in the country. The Keep Museum is an impressive Victorian building housing a military museum. Poundbury, championed by Prince Charles, is a Georgian-influenced new town in the suburbs of the town. There is a large market every Wednesday.. Villages of note nearby: Cerne Abbas, Evershot, Sydling St Nicholas and Piddletrenthide LYME REGIS Lyme Regis is an historic, unspoiled seaside resort and fishing port at the heart of the Jurassic Coast. Its unusually shaped Cobb harbour was made famous in the film of John Fowles novel The French Lieutenant s Woman Highlights Lyme Regis Museum, housed in a magnificent idiosyncratic historic building of true architectural splendour and built in 1900 by Thomas Philpot, houses many interesting artefacts relating to the Jurassic Coast including those relating to one its most famous citizens, the fossil collector Mary Anning. An Annual Fossil Festival is held here. The Langmoor & Lister gardens overlooking Cobb Harbour have recently been revamped notice the unusual street lights! The famous Undercliff walk along the South West Coast Path towards Seaton shows the results of the great 1839 landslip..
SHERBORNE Probably Dorset s most attractive town, famous for its Castle and Abbey first built in AD705 and known as Dorset s cathedral. The beautiful townhouses dating from the 15 th century onwards are built in the local stone and the High Street is full of boutiques and gift shops, delicatessens, cafes and traditional pubs. The town was formerly the capital of Wessex. Home of Sherborne Castle, built by Sir Walter Raleigh and featuring gardens landscaped by Capability Brown and impressive parklands. On display inside are extensive collections of paintings and furniture. Nearby is the Old Sherborne Castle which was captured by Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War. Sherborne Abbey is famous for its elaborate 15 th century vaulting and features superb monuments to Lord Digby (the local family) and his wives and various other local dignitaries. Outside the Abbey are the medieval St John s Almhouses. Pageant Gardens in Digby Road dates back to the 1200 th anniversary of the foundation of Sherborne in AD705. Sherborne Museum holds an array of items covering the area s history, with displays spanning the centuries, including the magnificent Sherborne Missal, a stunning 15 th century illuminated Manuscript. The hexagonal Conduit along the High Street was built in the early 16 th century as a washing place for he monks. Sherborne School is one of the best known private schools for boys in England. The school was originally established in 1539 for poor boys from the town. Sherborne House, now used as a community facility, is one of the best Georgian houses in the town. SHAFTESBURY A hilltown c 1,000 metres above sea level overlooking the Blackmore Vale, with views over the counties of Dorset, Somerset & Wiltshire. The town is famous for Gold Hill, a steep cobbled hill below the Town Hall, lined with 18 th century small houses and cottages on one side and what remains of the town wall on the other. The name of the town is believed to come from the shape of the hill when viewed from above In the 9 th century, King Alfred founded a nunnery here for one of his daughters which housed the bones of Edward the Martyr after his death at Corfe Castle in 978. As a result, the nunnery became an important place of pilgrimage and the richest Benedictine nunnery in the country Abbey Ruins and Park Walk the walk offers great views; the ruins are mainly the footings St Peter s Church impressive 15 th century stone vault in the west porch Shops of interest: Shaftesbury Arts Centre on Bell Street, Swan s Yard arts & crafts vendors
Villages of note nearby: Ashmore SWANAGE Up to the early 19 th century, Swanage was a small fishing port. However the arrival of the railway meant it developed as a seaside resort and it retains much of its Victorian character. The sandy beach is particularly safe for families and regularly awarded the Blue Flag. The backdrop of the Purbeck hills makes the beach and town particularly scenic. The high street has many boutiques and art galleries and many of its restaurants focus on the local seafood. The Town Hall dates from 1872 and the façade was taken from the Mercere s Hall in Cheapside London. Swanage became known as little London thanks to this and other imports from London made by George Burt, a local business man. Behind the Town Hall is a tiny lock-up of 1802, inscribed For the Prevention of Vice and Immorality by the Friends of Religion and Good Order. The pier is Victorian and has been restored; nearby is the Wellington clock tower, another import from London. The Swanage Heritage Centre has displays about the town s quarrying history and about the Jurassic Coast. Swanage Railway runs mostly thanks to volunteers; it is no longer connected to the main national network; however there is a local lobby to reconnect. The Railway is the best way to visit Corfe Castle from Swanage; the railway station at Corfe has kept a 1950s styling and includes an Enid Blyton board the authoress used to arrive in the area at the station when she paid her regular visits to Purbeck. Durlston Country Park is a National Nature Reserve and has been voted one of Britain s favourites. If you take a walk along the clifftop, you may be lucky enough to see a dolphin or puffin! The Park was established by William Burt who called the area Nature s Open Book - note the stone globe in the Park which has a particular perspective on the size of nations! Villages of note nearby: Worth Matravers and Corfe Castle. WAREHAM Until the 14 th century, Wareham was a major port but the increasing size of ships and the silting of the river changed its role. It is now a riverside town lying between the rivers Piddle and Frome surrounded by walls dating from the Saxon period. St Martin s church features a striking effigy of TE Lawrence, lying in full Arab dress. He was based at Bovington Camp and his retreat where he spent much of his time writing, Clouds Hill, is nearby. The quayside is a good spot to watch the world go by or hire a rowing boat. There is a signposted walk around the Saxon walls of the town. Villages of note nearby: Moreton, Tyneham and Briantspuddle
WEYMOUTH Weymouth is a well established seaside resort thanks to the patronage of King George III during the 18 th century which has retained its impressive Georgian esplanade. Today the town is better known as the home of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events. Portland Harbour built in the 19 th century is the 2 nd largest man-made harbour in the world. Since Henry VIII s day it has been a location for naval defences and until recently was a naval training base. The area has seen considerable regeneration in particular around Osprey Quay. The chalk figure of King George III on the hillside is visible from the main beach and is the only chalk figure in England of a rider and horse. There is also a statue of the King on the seafront. The Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy was established before the decision to locate the Olympic Games events in the area; the location was chosen due to the superb quality of the waters for sailing and watersports The picturesque harbour which is still a genuine working harbour and is surrounded by restaurants and pubs, many of which feature local seafood. The eastern end of Chesil Beach starts at the causeway towards Portland. Portland is excellent for clifftop walking, key features are Portland Bill lighthouse, Tout Quarry (Portland stone has been used for many of England s most famous buildings), Portland Castle and Portland Museum. Nothe Fort: a military fort dating from the 17 th century overlooking the harbour entrance. Radipole Lake in the town is a RSPB reserve and is noted for waders and warblers and in winter wildfowl. Villages of note nearby: Litton Cheney, Abbotsbury, Upwell and Sutton Poyntz.
WIMBORNE An attractive market town, set in the picturesque water meadows of the rivers Stour and Allen. Most famous for Wimborne Minster, which celebrated its 1300th birthday in 2005. The church s unique Chained Library is one of 4 remaining chained libraries in England and the country s 2 nd largest. The Chained Library s oldest book dates from 1300s and is handwritten and the oldest printed one dates from 1500s. The collection includes such highlights as a book of sermons belonging to Catherine of Aragon. Also in the Minster is an astronomical clock showing both the sun and moon circling the earth. Local history is also brought to life at the Priest`s House Museum, a 16th Century townhouse with a delightful traditional walled garden. Walford Mill displays and sells quality local crafts in an idyllic spot on the banks of the River Allen. The Model Town is a miniature replica the town in the 1950s. Deans Court and Knoll Gardens are just outside the town Villages of note nearby: Pamphill, Witchhampton and Wimborne St Giles. For information about Dorset, please visit www.visit-dorset.com