Four market towns near our Dorset B&B include Wareham itself, Wimborne, Dorchester and Christchurch.
Wareham (Half a mile from the guest house)
Wareham is a pretty, riverside market town with fascinating history! It’s rich history dates right back to the Iron Ages.
Did you know that the market town of Wareham is one of the few remaining Saxon walled towns in England?
In 700, a large Saxon community settled in Wareham which grew into one of the most important towns in the county.
Due to Wareham’s status and strategic location, in 875, the Anglo-Saxon King Alfred the Great built walls around the town to defend it from Viking invasion. These ‘earth walls’ enclose Wareham on three sides today.
St Martins Church is the most complete Saxon church in Dorset believed to date from around 1020.
To really embrace Wareham’s unique history, it is recommended to walk along the ‘earth walls’, as well as visit the Saxon church of St Martins.
There is a small museum in the centre of the town to learn more about Wareham’s past, or you can read our blogs, ‘Saxon Walls of Wareham’ or ‘What to do on your day in Wareham’.
The popular Wareham Quay is pleasant to while away the time watching the boats and wildlife, enjoying an ice cream or visiting the market on a Saturday.
Wimborne (12 miles from the guest house)
The beautiful market town of Wimborne is located on the banks of the River Stour and River Allen and dates to pre-Roman times.
Its gracious Minster church hosts the chained library whose oldest book dates to the 1300s and is handwritten.
Explore the hidden courtyards, walkways and attractive High Street with its blend of charming independent boutiques and high street stores.
As well as the square and main shopping streets, there are also many side streets to explore and when you need to rest, you can enjoy a cuppa from the welcoming cafes.
Wimborne has a farmer’s market on the third Saturday of each month.
Dorchester (17 miles from the guest house)
Birthplace of world-famous author and poet Thomas Hardy, the market town of Dorchester enjoys a rich history dating back as far as the Iron Age and is home to the Roman Town House, the finest example of its kind in Britain.
Dorchester provides many family friendly museums, including the Dorset Museum and Art Gallery, the Shire Hall Museum (with its café on the top floor), Dinosaur Museum and Teddy Bear Museum. All great options for rainy days!
Thomas Hardy’s marital home ‘Max Gate’ is in Dorchester, and his birthplace ‘Hardy’s Cottage’ is located close by in the surrounding countryside. You can read about Thomas Hardy in our blog ‘Exploring Thomas Hardy’s Dorset’.
Market day in Dorchester is on a Wednesday.
There is a train which goes to Dorchester from Wareham Station, just 5/10 minutes walk from us.
Christchurch (19 miles from the guest house)
This attractive, bustling town has a picturesque quay, rivers, beaches and the spectacular Priory Church. It is one of the few monastery churches to have survived King Henry V111’s rule and is reputed to be the longest in England.
If you fancy a challenge, take a Tower Tour and climb 176 steps to enjoy panoramic views of the town from the very top of the church.
The town of Christchurch used to be the base for smugglers. Underneath the town are old tunnels used by smugglers.
A large Norman castle once dominated the town of Christchurch in the 11th Century. It was surrounded by a water-filled moat. You can see the ruins of it, as well as the ruins of a fine Norman House.
Christchurch’s market day is on a Monday.
If you take the train from Wareham, there is a simple change at Bournemouth.
Enjoy these market towns at your leisure!
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