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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

The Canal

Berkhamsted

in the county of Hertfordshire

Danbury War Memorial

Danbury

in the county of Essex

Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere

Buttermere

in the county of Cumbria

Pictures of Milton Abbas

a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

About Milton Abbas

Milton Abbas is a superb thatched village which has the distinction of being the first planned village of its kind in England. The village came into being in 1780 because Lord Milton, Earl of Dorchester, felt the old village as seen from his new mansion at Milton Abbey, ruined his view of the surrounding countryside. Thus, he pulled down the old properties and moved all the tenants into new cottages built around a nearby hill.

The village owes much of its present day charm to the imaginative foresight of the Earl's chosen architect, Sir William Chambers. The properties are spaciously set behind pleasant grassed fronts, each whitewashed cottage hides beneath a thickly thatched roof, and a chestnut tree was planted between the dwellings. Unfortunately the ravages of time took care of the chestnut trees, but the cottages, quintessentially English in appearance, remain very much as they looked in the late 18th century.

Lord Milton's mansion is now occupied by Milton Public School for Boys, and the ancient 14th century abbey church forms part of the school's group of buildings. Architect James Wyatt, who also had a hand in the building of the mansion, was responsible for building Milton Abbas Parish Church.

The countryside surrounding Milton Abbas is gloriously spacious, making it an idyllic village to tarry whilst enjoying fine views and fresh air. The nearest town is Blandford Forum, the rivers Piddle and Frome are within easy reach, and just a short drive away lies the beautiful Dorset Heritage Coast.

Recommended towns & villages near Milton Abbas

Athelhampton House, Dorset

Athelhampton (3 Pictures) in the county of Dorset

(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction SW of Milton Abbas)

Athelhampton lies close to the little River Piddle which almost entirely encircles Athelhampton House which was built in the 15th-century by Sir William Martyn who was granted the lands and a license to build upon them by King Henry VII in the year 1483...

Sturminster Newton in Dorset

Sturminster Newton (40 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset

(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction N of Milton Abbas)

A small attractive Market Town in Dorset...

Bridge over River Stour at White Mill, near Sturminster Marshall, Dorset

Sturminster Marshall (1 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction E of Milton Abbas)

Sturminster Marshall is famous for its beautiful White Corn Mill and for the magnificent eight arched bridge spanning the River Stour...

Cerne Abbas, Dorset

Cerne Abbas (68 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction W of Milton Abbas)

Famous for its huge chalk 'rude' giant, Cerne Abbas is a lovely ancient village in Dorset...

Minterne House and Gardens

Minterne Magna (22 Pictures) in the county of Dorset

(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction W of Milton Abbas)

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Athelhampton House, Dorset

Athelhampton House (10 Pictures)

(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction SW)

Athelhampton House is a fine example of a 15th Century house nestling in deepest Dorset...

Thomas Hardy's cottage in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset

Hardy's Cottage (4 Pictures)

(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction SW)

Home of poet and novelist Thomas Hardy until the age of 34. Under the Greenwood Tree and Far from the Madding Crowd were.....

A picture of Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre (47 Pictures)

(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction S)

This is a place where "Monkey Business" really is acceptable, for the centre is home to over 150 primates of 15 different.....

Cerne Giant in Cerne Abbas, Dorset.

Cerne Abbas Giant (2 Pictures)

(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction W)

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.....

Bridge over River Stour at White Mill, near Sturminster Marshall, Dorset

White Mill (5 Pictures)

(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction E)

The White Mill is an attraction in the delightful village of Sturminster Marshall. The cornmill occupies a site recorded in.....

View from Badbury Rings, Near Wimborne, Dorset

Badbury Rings (19 Pictures)

(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction E)

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The Roman Town House, Dorchester, Dorset

Roman Town House (1 Pictures)

(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SW)

The Roman Town House was a discovery of the 1930's. From excavations beneath the ground came a rich feast of Roman history that.....


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