by Rachel Knowles

Created on: November 26, 2010

Blandford Forum is a market town standing on the River Stour in Dorset. It is famous for its town centre which is almost entirely Georgian in character. The town was largely destroyed by fire in 1731 and rebuilt by the Bastard brothers who were famous architects of the period. Blandford Forum remains one of the best preserved Georgian towns in England.

Once a year, on the May Day Bank Holiday, Blandford hosts a Georgian Fayre. Locals dress up in Georgian clothes and the streets in the town centre are lined with stalls selling local produce and crafts. There is traditional dancing around the maypole and musical entertainment as well a variety of displays and street entertainers.

The other great event of Blandford’s year is the Great Dorset Steam Fair held every September. This is a huge gathering of steam tractors and stationary engines, including the old time steam funfair – fairground rides such as carousels and a big wheel, all powered by steam engines. There are lots of fairground organs on display, the largest of which support old time stage shows. The fair also includes displays of heavy horses and vintage cars as well as an area for rural displays.

Blandford Museum tells the history of Blandford Forum starting with the 17th century and highlighting major events chronologically over four hundred years. Exhibits include a Victorian child’s playroom, a forge and a cobbler’s shop. The museum also houses a large collection of artefacts from the two world wars.

Blandford Forum is also home to Mrs Penny’s fashion collection – the Blandford Fashion Museum. The collection provides a history of clothing and accessories dating from the 1730s to the 1970s and is housed in Lime Tree House - a beautiful Georgian house built by the Bastard brothers after the fire of 1731.

For those interested in military history, just outside Blandford in Blandford Camp is the Royal Signals Museum – the national museum of army communications. The museum’s displays follow the history of communication in wartime from the use of telegraph in the Crimean War to the role of the Royal Signals in United Nations and NATO peacekeeping forces. Of particular interest to younger visitors is the interactive centre with the opportunity to drive a simulator, guide a laser beam and learn about code breaking through the interactive Enigma exhibition.

The family firm of Hall and Woodhouse has been brewing ale since 1777 and one of its earliest contracts was to provide beer for the army based at Weymouth during the Napoleonic wars. The brewery visitor centre is full of information about the history of the brewery and the brewing process, whilst the brewery shop has the full range of Badger ales available for purchase. Visitors can also book tours of the brewery for a closer look at the brewing process.

Nearby Chettle House is a handsome Queen Anne house which has the unusual feature that it has no corners – all the corners are rounded in the style of Thomas Archer. The house was used to depict William Wilberforce’s London home in the film “Amazing Grace.” But plan your visit carefully: the opening times are limited to two Sundays a month during the summer season only.

Learn more about this author, Rachel Knowles.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.