Dorset Gazetteer of Towns and Villages

Abbotsbury packs a lot to see in a small space. This quiet village on the Dorset coast boasts a world-famous Swannery, an award-winning sub tropical garden, a remarkable medieval tithe barn, an Iron Age hill fort, and a striking medieval chapel on the hill above the village. more...
Abbotsbury, Jurrasic Coast, Dorset, England

Attraction Type: Town
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Photos of Abbotsbury
OS Grid SY575855
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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A small village in rural Dorset, set in the valley of the Piddle, about 11 miles north of Dorchester. There are several thatched cottages in the village, as well as a lovely 13th century parish church dedicated to St Laurence. The church boasts some well-carved 16th century pews, and a contemporary carved pulpit. The village dates back to the Domesday Book. Nearby is Tolpuddle, known for its place in the early history of trade union development.
Affpuddle, Dorset, England

Attraction Type: Village
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OS Grid SY 8049 9370
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Batcombe is a small village on the slopes of the Dorset Downs. Above the village rises Batcombe Down, at the top of which is a stone pillar known as The Cross-in-Hand. The pillar was used to dramatic effect in Thomas Hardy's novel, 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'. It is said that some who see the Cross can view a ghostly hand grasping a the bowl at the top of the pillar.
Batcombe, Dorset, England

Attraction Type: Village
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OS Grid ST 6136 0389
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An old market town in central Dorset. The town was a centre of the cloth trade, and it boasts a fine medieval church with a 16th century tower. Many of the older buildings in Baminster were destroyed in three devastating fires during the 17th and 18th centuries, but even so there are over 200 listed buildings in the historic town centre. Just two miles away is the Tudor mansion of Mapperton House, while the superb manor and garden of Forde Abbey is only 8 miles distant.
Beaminster, Dorset, England

Attraction Type: Town
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OS Grid ST479012
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As its name suggests, Bere Regis was connected with the crown as early as 978 AD, when there was a royal manor here. The parish church of St the Baptist contains memorials to the Turberville family, used by Thomas Hardy as his model for the D'Urbervilles in Tess. The architecture of the church is worth noting; it has a beautifully carved and painted barrel-vaulted roof. Three miles away is Clouds Hill, home of TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia).
Bere Regis, Dorset, England

Attraction Type: Town
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OS Grid SY 8481 9451
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A market town located on the River Stour. A devastating fire in 1731 means that few buildings earlier than the 18th century survive in Blandford Forum, beyond a row of 17th c almshouses on Rye Street, and Old House, built circa 1660. There are some lovely examples of Georgian buildings in the town centre, courtesy of architects John and William Bastard, natives of Blandford Forum. The Bastard brothers were also responsible for remodelling the parish church in Georgian fashion. Within the church is an unusual canopied mayor's chair. The surrounding area is full of ancient ruins, among them Pimperne Barrow, a Neolithic burial chamber rated among the finest in England.
Blandford Forum, Dorset, England

Attraction Type: Town
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OS Grid ST 8836 0747
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One of the most popular seaside resort towns in England during the Victorian period, Bournemouth stretches along seven miles of sandy beaches in a sheltered bay. Several well-known figures are buried in St Peter's church, Bournemouth, including author Mary Shelley and her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley. There are all the facilities you would expect in a modern seaside resort, plus family activities such as the Bournemouth Oceanarium, and the Bournemouth Eye, providing amazing aerial views over the town.
Bournemouth, Dorset, England

Attraction Type: Town
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OS Grid SZ 0833 9078
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A small village on the River Yeo, four miles from Sherborne. The glory of Bradford Abbas is its beautiful parish church of St Mary the Virgin. The church is primarily 15th century, with an embattled west tower, a 15th c chancel screen, and a carved Jacobean pulpit. Outside the church are the remains of a 15th century preaching cross. Just outside the village is Wyke Farm, a moated medieval manor house that once belonged to the abbots of Sherborne. Attached to the manor is a large medieval tithe barn.
Bradford Abbas, Dorset, England

Attraction Type: Village
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OS Grid ST 5909 1318
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A market town near Dorset's Jurassic Coast, with a heritage of rope making. Bridport made cables for the British navy, and fishing nets as well. Bridport was established as a 'burh' or fortified town, by Alfred the Great, and in 1253 it was made a royal borough by Henry II. The oldest building in Bridport is The Chantry, built sometime in the 13th century. It was originally a lighthouse, and later a priest's residence. Bridoprt Museum on South Street is housed in a grand Jacobean building, and offers displays of the area's history and a gallery of local artwork. Four miles away is the Elizabethan manor of Mapperton House.
Bridport, Dorset, England

Attraction Type: Town
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OS Grid SY 4951 9288
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A lovely rural village near Beaminster, Broadwindsor was mentioned in the Domesday Book, though the area was undoubtedly settled during the Roman period. During the Civil War Broadwindsor experienced a dramatic episode; King Charles II was fleeing Parliamentary troops after the Battle of Worcester. He sheltered in a house where the New Inn stands now. Enemy troops began to search the house, but were put off when a woman began to give birth. The troops left, and the king was able to escape dressed as a woman. Nothing so dramatic is likely to disturb the peace of Broadwindsor today, and it remains a lovely Dorset village.
Broadwindsor, Dorset, England

Attraction Type: Village
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OS Grid ST 4373 0220
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