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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

St Botolph's Church, often known as Boston 'Stump'

Boston

a Seaside Town in the county of Lincolnshire

Pictures of Bridport

a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset

About Bridport

This is a pretty resort and market town forming part of the gateway to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

Bridport can be classed as having everything to please the holiday maker, it has a strong nautical atmosphere born of its long association with the sea, and its history as a flourishing rope making town during the great age of sailing ships. Rope making can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when King John requested the townsfolk to work "night and day to make as many cables as you can", this industry formed the back-bone of the economy with the prosperity of the town continuing into 18th and 19th century.

The town is also renowned for its net making industry which has existed for over 700 years. Nets from Bridport are used all over the world, the range of users is as diverse as fishing fleets of all countries, America's Space Shuttle, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club and international airlines.

In Bridport the eye is immediately drawn to its wonderful old buildings, quintessential thatched cottages stand behind lush hedges. Mostly the character of the town lies in its distinctly Georgian buildings, especially the handsome town hall with its graceful columns and pediment. The medieval parish church with its lovely chantry is a "must see" so too is the Tudor museum. You should also try to visit the Arts Centre.

The centre of the town has plenty of attractive shops, antique shops and galleries rub shoulders with modern chain stores and supermarkets. A feature of Bridport is its lively open-air market held on Wednesday and Saturday. Another feature is the band entertainment held in the colourful High Street, there really is something about browsing whilst listening to the stirring strains of a brass band! It also has sufficient restaurants, cafe's and pubs to satisfy the most discerning visitor.

On the southern edge of the town beside the river, lies one of the town's most important buildings, the picturesque thatched brewery - Palmers of Bridport. This is the only thatched brewery in England, noted for its excellent brewing skills, beautiful spread of buildings, and its splendid Victorian copper equipment proudly kept in superb condition. The brewery once relied heavily on its waterside position for both transportation of its beer and for power. The river is no longer navigable, beer is transported by road, but plans are in place to restore the ancient water wheel back to its former glory.

Close to Bridport is West Bay and Eype. The soft sandstone cliffs west of Eype are of a rugged appearance which is constantly being changed by the gales sweeping in from Lyme Bay.

This is a glorious area to explore, you get the very best of several worlds all entwined to ensure tourists take away happy memories of a vibrant market town, magical coastline, picturesque river banks and mile after mile of lovely pastoral countryside.

Interesting & Historical Facts about Bridport

The coastal town of Bridport in Dorset was once famous for its Rope-making, with some of the rope being used for making hangmen's nooses. These nooses became famously known as 'a Bridport dagger'. Bridport also made the nets for England's World Cup victory in 1966

Bridport facts | Dorset facts

Recommended towns & villages near Bridport

On the Coast Path Heading for West Bay, Dorset.

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

(1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction S of Bridport)

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

Burton Bradstock

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

(2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction SE of Bridport)

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.....

Golden Cap, Dorset

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

(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction W of Bridport)

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.....

Lyme Regis, Dorset

Lyme Regis (276 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset

(7.9 miles, 12.6 km, direction W of Bridport)

Almost the first thing you notice about this pleasant seaside resort, is the spaciousness of the town. The second, and nothing can prepare you for this, is the sheer scale of Lyme Bay with its splendid views towards the rugged sandstone cliffs west of Eype Mouth...

Abbotsbury

Abbotsbury (104 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction SE of Bridport)

Abbotsbury is a small picturesque and historic village in the county of Dorset...

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Nearby attractions..

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

Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium (1 Pictures)

(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction W)

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

A picture of Abbotsbury Swannery

Abbotsbury Swannery (50 Pictures)

(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction SE)

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

The Nine Stones, Stone Circle in Winterbourne Abbas, Dorset

The Nine Stones (1 Pictures)

(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction E)

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

Forde Abbey (12 Pictures)

(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction NW)

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Chesil Beach

Chesil Beach (25 Pictures)

(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction SE)

One of the most remarkable features of England's fantastic coastal scenery is the magnificent stretch known as Chesil Beach,.....

Maiden Castle, Dorset

Maiden Castle (10 Pictures)

(12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction E)

The finest Iron Age hillfort in Europe, Maiden Castle is the size of 50 football pitches and was first built in 600BC over the.....

Loughwood Meeting House, Dalwood, Near Axminster, Devon. Owned by the National Trust

Loughwood Meeting House (13 Pictures)

(13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction W)

17th-century thatched Baptist meeting house, constructed approx 1653...


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