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About Blandford Forum
Utterly delightful, a town of matchless elegance, of quintessentially English beauty, are but a few of the attributes to the fine Market town on the River Stour. The town of Blandford Forum has a history of destruction by fire and sadly the town has few antiquities left. The fire of 1731 raised most of the town to the ground, little was saved and from a town with in excess of 500 buildings, only a handful remained including the almshouses and the Old House.
Following the fire the town was reconstructed in classical Georgian style in accordance to designs by the brothers, John and William Bastard, local architects of the day. They too, were responsible for one of the finest provincial churches of the period, the church of St.Peter and St.Paul. The church has a magnificent square tower, and the interior has Ionic columns to the nave. The church was altered and added to in the early 19th-century and in 1893 a chancel was built. The brothers also built the very fine town hall.
Of the buildings still to be seen from earlier times are Dale House, which dates 1689, the beautiful old Almshouses of 1682, and Old House which was built early in the 18th-century.
Thomas Hardy famously commemorated Blandford as 'Shottesford Forum' in his Wessex novels and in 1590, Edmund Spenser mentioned the town in 'The Faerie Queene' not many town's get a finer accolade.
The lands surrounding the town are watered by the River Stour, thus Blandford is endowed with rich grazing lands for cattle and sheep. In the sleepy lanes of this beautiful area you will find handsome houses and cottages, some with dormer windows peering from beneath a thickly thatched roof. The town is a picture of quiet contentment and of understated English elegance at it's best.
It is deserving of high praise and well worth a visit. Add town to favourites
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All towns in DorsetComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandRecommended attractions near Blandford ForumAll attractions in Blandford ForumAll attractions in DorsetComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandHotels & Accommodation in Blandford Forum |  The Anvil InnSalisbury Road, Pimperne,, Blandford Forum, Dorset, Dorset, England (1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction NE)
This 16th Century thatched hotel, located just outside of Blandford Forum, offers guests a comfortable stay in peaceful surroundings. The hotel's restaurant and bar are open all day for you to rela...
More info and book online.. Price from £70.00 |  | The TalbotIwerne Minster, Blandford, Dorset, Dorset, England (5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction N)
Recently renovated and refurbished to a high standard, The Talbot is a \"pub with rooms\" which offers superior en suite accommodation. The hotel is situated in the beautiful Dorset countryside on...
More info and book online.. Price from £80.00 |  |  Horton InnCranborne Road, Horton, Wimborne, Dorset, England (8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction E)
Horton Inn stands on the edge of Cranborne Chase, within easy reach of the New Forest, Blackmore Vale, Poole Harbour and the beautiful Dorset coast. The Horton Inn has welcomed hundreds of travelle...
More info and book online.. Price from £45.00 |  |  King's Head HotelThe Square, Wimborne, Dorset, England (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction SE)
A charming character hotel with friendly staff to help you enjoy your stay. Great food cooked by our talented chef Shane Slater. Sit back and enjoy a meal to remember in style. A welcome fit for a K...
More info and book online.. Price from £75.00 |  | Best Western The Royal Chase HotelRoyal Chase Roundabout, Shaftesbury, Dorset, Dorset, England (10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction N)
Situated on the outskirts of Shaftesbury, set within picturesque private grounds, this Georgian ex-monastery has been transformed into a luxury hotel. Byzant, the hotel's award-winning restaurant,...
More info and book online.. Price from £45.00 |
More Blandford Forum hotels...Nearby travel help| Holton Heath Station | (10.7 miles, 17.3 km, direction S) | | Hamworthy Station | (11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction SE) | | Bournemouth Airport | (15.8 miles, 25.4 km, direction E) | | M27 Junction 1 | (25.7 miles, 41.3 km, direction E) | | M27 Junction 2 | (28.6 miles, 46.0 km, direction E) | | Southampton Airport | (36.3 miles, 58.5 km, direction E) | | Blandford Forum to London | (99.5 miles, 160.1 km, direction NE) |
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