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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Pictures of Beaminster

a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset

About Beaminster

Surrounded by rolling hills and countryside, Beaminster is an historic town that dates back to around the 7th century when it was known as Bebingmynster, which means 'the church of Bebbe'.

The town historically was once an important centre for the production and manufacture of linen and woollens, and in the 20th century it had as many as 17 inns, though it eventually declined because of lack of railway line, and is now more famous for Clipper Teas which was founded in Beaminster in 1984 and is based in the town.

The town was almost completely destroyed during the English Civil War when a fire broke out after a musket was discharged into a thatched roof. The town also fell victim to further serious fires in 1684 and in 1781.

Beaminster was the boyhood home of the Arctic explorer, naturalist and author Samuel Hearne. It is also the adopted home town of actor Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) and is the home of author Lynne Reid Banks ( The L-Shaped Room)

Recommended towns & villages near Beaminster

West Bay in Dorset

West Bay (147 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset

(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction S of Beaminster)

West Bay nestles at the western end of spectacular Chesil Beach whose billions of pebbles have been a constant source of fascination for centuries...

Thatched cottage

Melbury Osmond (3 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

(7.4 miles, 11.8 km, direction NE of Beaminster)

A long, winding lane, flanked by grassy banks covered in fern and wild flowers, leads to the picture postcard village of Melbury Osmond..

Burton Bradstock, Dorset

Burton Bradstock (56 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

(7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction S of Beaminster)

This in one of the most enchanting villages to be found along the sweeping Dorset coast. It has gorgeous little lanes where there are eye catching thatched cottages with walls.....

Jurassic coast  Charmouth

Charmouth (102 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset

(8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction SW of Beaminster)

This pretty resort grew up in a gap of cliffs overlooking picturesque Lyme Bay. In the days prior to the motor car it was a fashionable coaching stop. One illustrious visitor of.....

Sydling church in Sydling St Nicholas, Dorset

Sydling St Nicholas (22 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction E of Beaminster)

This is a particularly scenic village lying deep in a chalk-stream valley between open downs. Every approach to it is beautiful, whether crossing the hills from Cerne Abbas or Maiden Newton, or coming up the waters of the River Cerne between meadows flooded with spring lambs and ponies...

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Nearby attractions..

Forde Abbey, nr Chard, Somerset. A former Cistercian foundation. Photo taken September 1991.

Forde Abbey (12 Pictures)

(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction W)

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Montacute House

Montacute House (68 Pictures)

(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction N)

This is one of the most glittering of all the great Elizabethan mansions in England. It is built of glowing honey-coloured Ham.....

A view of the Marine Aquarium on the old Cobb with Lyme regis, Dorset, in the background.

Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium (1 Pictures)

(10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction SW)

Where better to see and learn about the creatures of the deep than in an aquarium suite set tantalizingly beside the sea. Well,.....

The Nine Stones, Stone Circle in Winterbourne Abbas, Dorset

The Nine Stones (1 Pictures)

(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction SE)

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Barrington Court, Somerset

Barrington Court (49 Pictures)

(11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction NW)

Barrington Court is an attractive 16th-century house built in the engaging "E" shaped style of the period in mellow Ham Hill.....

Cerne Giant in Cerne Abbas, Dorset.

Cerne Abbas Giant (2 Pictures)

(12.0 miles, 19.4 km, direction E)

This magnificent figure cut into the turf of a chalk hillside is best viewed from the north of the village. He is known as "The.....

A picture of Abbotsbury Swannery

Abbotsbury Swannery (50 Pictures)

(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction SE)

Set in one of the most beautiful unspoilt regions of England, Abbotsbury Swannery is home to sometimes up to 1000 beautiful.....


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