MenuBlandford Forum, Dorset
Blandford Forum is a historic market town lying on the River Stour between the Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase in Dorset. Blandford developed on the river's north bank, a site which had been a fording point since Saxon times. By the 13th century it had grown to be a thriving market town with a livestock market serving Blackmore Vale's dairy farms. The word 'Forum', latin for 'market', was added by the 16th century. Blandford become well-known for fine lacemaking, and later, wool-spinning and button making. The opening of the turnpike between Salisbury and Dorchester in 1756 saw Blandford become a stagecoach town. The town is famed for its Georgian architecture, the result of rebuilding after the 'Great Fire' of 1731. The Church of St Peter and St Paul (C of E), built between 1732-1739, is a classical building with a cupola on top of the tower. The town is within the council area of Dorset.
Place Type: Town
Historic County: Dorset
Lat, Long: 50.858583,-2.165833
Grid Reference: ST 8842 0657
Civil Parish: Blandford Forum CP
Council Area: Dorset CA
Police Area: Dorset PA
GBPN ID: 4252
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Blandford_Forum,_Dorset_4252
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Place Type: Town
Historic County: Dorset
Lat, Long: 50.858583,-2.165833
Grid Reference: ST 8842 0657
Civil Parish: Blandford Forum CP
Council Area: Dorset CA
Police Area: Dorset PA
GBPN ID: 4252
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Blandford_Forum,_Dorset_4252
Explore Blandford Forum on Wikishire Peruse Dorset on Wikishire