Saxon Wareham - situated on a low ridge between the Rivers Frome and Piddle The essential 20p and built on a site that was occupied as far back as the Iron Age. visitors' guide to Ages were a period of slow but inevitable decline, as the river silted up and trade transferred to the new port of .

The Civil War in the 17th Wareham Century was a turbulent time A Saxon walled town for Wareham. The town changed hands several times and it was Parliamentary forces who removed masonry from the defensive walls and reduced them to half their previous height. St. Martin's Church

Like many other towns at that time, Wareham’s centre consisted of a close-packed mass of buildings, many built of timber and thatched. As a result, it suffered from a succession of fires, the worst being in 1762, when over 140 Wareham became established buildings were destroyed. In as an important cross Channel consequence, no new thatched THE port in Saxon times and the buildings were allowed and Quay in those days would have those few thatched roofs still in been a very busy place. In 876 existence mark the boundaries the town was captured by the of the fire. Wareham in Bloom Danes, and as a result of this HILandL similar attacks, was one of Wareham men were involved in a number of Wessex towns that the Monmouth Rebellion of ABBOT’S QUAY were subsequently defended by 1685 and in the aftermath five high walls. rebels were executed at Bloody The Walls Walk Bank, on West Walls, by order This walk describes the history of the walls together After the Norman Conquest, a of Judge Jeffreys. with details of wild flowers and birds to be seen castle was constructed near the bank of the Frome, now only In recognition of its historical along the way. the original mound remains. importance, Wareham has been After the prosperous times of designated an outstanding Saxon England, when Wareham Conservation Area and over The Town Walk was one of the most important two hundred buildings are Discover Wareham by following this walk which towns in and could listed as being of architectural describes points of interest throughout the town. boast of two mints, the Middle interest. Church Green Explore . . . The Walls Walk Full of history, river and countryside walks, great pubs and Wareham Town Walls were originally built restaurants, accommodation and lots of interesting shops to in Saxon times to defend the town from browse around. Also in town are grocery stores and butchers so attacks against the Vikings. you can get everything you need whilst shopping locally. The Walls surround the heart of From here there are extensive the town on three sides (the views over the flood plain of fourth side being defended by the River Piddle and beyond The rare Cetti's warbler the River Frome) and date from towards Wareham Forest. Markets The the 9th century. They now form Below the Walls the river Walls there is an area of open (Usually held in the mornings) a delightful walk around the meanders across Wareham space which was used for fairs Town Hall town. Common. The lush vegetation in the 18th century. Here, there Thursdays On the site of the of the river banks provides is a rectangular area surrounded Produce & Flower Auction and Market, present Town Hall Park in Streche Road Car Park nesting habitat for water birds by low banks called the Bowling Cottees, East Steet there has been the and follow the Walls Walk signs. such as the Cetti’s warbler, Green, although it is not known if it was ever used for this Home Producers Market, Norman Church of St. The walk takes about 45 moorhen and mallard. In purpose. The River Piddle flows United Reformed Church, Church Street Peter, a Guild Hall, minutes. See map overleaf. summer, house martins and Town Jail and swifts fly over the water feeding beneath the Walls at this point Farmers Market, Corn Exchange, Town Cross butcher’s shop. The middle section of West on insects and use the historic and continues downstream to (Fortnightly) . From here walk The Town Hall was Walls is known as Bloody Bank buildings as breeding sites. after a number of executions Continue along the North Walls south to East Street along the top Saturdays completely rebuilt in of East Walls. Market, Wareham Quay 1870 with funds which took place there. Today it past the church of St. Edward entirely contributed is the best place to see wild the Martyr, down Shatters Hill Farmers' Markets flowers. Look out for the and turn right into North Street. Cross East Street and continue by the public. The south along the Walls which Look out for Famers' Markets where you can buy The Town Hall purplish-blue flowers of wild From here walk towards the building was designed fade out into a leafy lane. This fresh produce direct from the supplier, including clary, minute yellow flowers of town centre, cross the road and by the well known point marks the end of the Walls. the divine Dorset Blue Vinny cheese, scrumptious architect C R Crickmay to whom Thomas Hardy lady’s bedstraw, white turn left back towards St. Dorset Apple Cakes and locally produced umbrella-shaped flower heads Martin’s Church and the War was articled. Today the Town Hall Council To return to your starting point, chutneys and jams. Chamber is still used for Council Meetings and is of wild carrot and many species Memorial. Turn right at the of butterfly. Church and walk along Lady’s turn right into Conniger Lane licensed for Weddings & Civil Partnerships. which runs between two Auction The Corn Exchange is used for social functions Walk. At the end, turn left into Tuesday. Antiques and Collectables Walk along the top of the walls St. Martin’s Lane and then right, Graveyards. From the Graveyard and Farmers' Markets. For further information there are impressive views fortnightly at Cottees, East Street. please contact 01929 553006. towards the north end and turn back onto the Town Walls. right onto North Walls. Where North Walls meet East across the Frome Valley towards Redcliffe. Walk towards Lady St. Mary’s Church and from here follow the Town Walk from point 15 to 4.

Guided walls walk every Wednesday morning during the school summer holidays starting at the Purbeck Information and Heritage Centre, South Street, Wareham.

Wareham's Saturday Market Council Chamber, Town Hall West Walls, known as Bloody Bank D A O R Be r D e R R O Car Parks PO Post Office eg F i D P s N A S BE One Way Streets Town Walk, (approx. 20 M RE IS R T O O AD mins detailed below) V E Public Houses R

R O Walls Walk, (approx. 45 A D Telephone Boxes mins detailed overleaf)

E N PC J Public Convenience CAREY ROAD O LA Access points to Two H OAD N R N’S ORD ’ F H D H S JO SAN Rivers Walks, Wareham

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L o m C ’S F Tw a m TIN O Holy Trinity Church, South Street, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4LU. a MOUNT PLEASANTR L N h A LY N h M U e T. L O e S A N r Tel: 01929 552740. (answerphone when Centre closed). r N S R a E D a L R t Wareham L lk E C T I a I H s W 6 D C , H W S R W s Email: [email protected] e ’ A O r Common e S y T W B l ’ ad . ED o d R L E d M F Pi E N S er T U T Website: www.visitswanageandpurbeck.co.uk Riv A m T W W ha A R N a re St. Edward Church of T r Wa H D A s e I k F L l o h S N IC a r a The Martyr St. Martin L e m ’ W s S O Make the most of your holiday! t R rs W S Church (RC) (C of E) e S L E O iv ay A AN R A L A N Y’S o Rugby P IXE D w Call in, telephone or write to the Purbeck Information & Heritage Centre. - E BR T Y M B Two L O Club Riv C e S S R M rs LL R’ A W A E E Friendly staff will help you with information on where to stay, what to do, P T alk W O H s O E TH CO R OR N places to visit, entertainment and events. A N B ’ S O

W L N A N DOLLIN’S LANE N Many FREE leaflets and guides available including the Swanage & Purbeck E E E T T AN I ’ L Health N S RD Map & Guide. M NORTH STREET HA K R L RC E I A O Centre O L S Wareham R N L’ L Methodist EL ’ P B S E E L E Church LAN Common R A N • Guidebooks • maps • postcards • greetings cards • stamps • gifts • L IO ’ N ARR Wareham A S C E N L E booking service for accommodation, ferries and local events. Hospital A W N E st a W P Purbeck Way We r E T OPENING HOURS e S Evangelical P E H T N h A E S L a W Church ’ RD C SUMMER m A A PO OW R L H O B W L BESTWALL ROAD E E M S F a W AN S Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm. Sunday 10.00am - 4.00pm r T

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B 17 E Law R a L E O District (private land) 1 L l R Courts A k C D D s R Council THE QU E AY r A352 S rcheste C / Do E © 2009. Designed, compiled and published by Wool N South T Bridge Council, Graphic Design Section, Communications Unit. Whilst every COACH care has been taken in the production of this guide, Purbeck District Wk ends & D Riv P school hols ROA er Council cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information contained IRLEY F

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3 Copyright and may lead to civil proceedings. A Purbeck D Sports A O Purbeck District Council. License number LA R Centre Y D AR 100022058, 2009. H 10. A few doors along on the inscriptions, dating from the 7th left hand side is Lloyds TSB. century to circa 800, a 12th The Town Walk - Discover Wareham by following the Town Walk The bank stands on the site of century lead font and two 13th which describes points of interest throughout the town and takes about 20 minutes. The Bull’s Head Inn believed to century military effigies. be the place where the 1762 Attendants are on duty in the fire of Wareham began. church whenever it is open and 11. Further along, the Manor an information guide is House, built in 1712, is set available. back from the street behind a 16. The Priory Hotel next to Start at the Purbeck Information probable line of the bailey and wall and a tall hedgerow. It is a the church is an early 16th and Heritage Centre in South the base of a stone keep fine, dignified, early Queen century building which was Street. survives inside the mound. Anne three storey building formerly the home of a 1. Turn right along South Street These foundations lie about which has retained most of its monastery. Although the house towards Abbot's Quay where 15ft. below ground and run original fittings. has been greatly altered, the underneath the present house. motor and rowing boats can be 12. On the opposite side of main features of the 16th hired. Abbot's Quay turns right 4. At the top of Pound Lane on South Street, set back in a century layout can still be to become Tanners Lane - walk the left hand side can be found courtyard is the Wareham traced. The monastery here to the top of the lane. the Town Pound. It was Conservative Club. Originally was preceded by a nunnery founded, according to legend, 2. The Rectory of Lady St. Mary originally built to hold stray and this was built as the Unitarian by St. Aldhelm in the 8th parish church faces you at the impounded animals. Church and used as such until century. top of Tanner's Lane. The 5. Turn right along West Street. 1960. present building replaces an The Rex Cinema on the left 13. The Black Bear Hotel 2 17. Follow the sign from Church earlier rectory which was hand side is owned by the doors further down the street Green down a narrow lane to destroyed in the 1762 fire. Its Purbeck Film Festival. Both the has a life sized statue of a bear The Quay. Now used for most famous resident was Rev. interior and exterior are still over the entrance porch. The leisure only, the Quay was once John Hutchins MA, Rector of furnished with 1920’s style, it first reference to a “Bear Hotel” the hub of Wareham. Ships Wareham from 1744 to 1773. shows both the latest and non in Wareham was in 1747 but arrived from the continent and He compiled his “History of mainstream films and also has this was destroyed in the fire of unloaded their cargoes for Antiquities of the County of its own bar. Continue along 1762 and replaced by the distribution throughout the Dorset” here. Turn left along West Street to the crossroads present building in 1770. area. The trade was chiefly in Pound Lane, notice the and turn left. salt and potters’ clay. Nowadays 14. Turn left into St. John’s Hill Norman Arch in the garden 6. St. Martin's Church on the Quay is lively in the and follow the path towards wall of the rectory which is North Street is a few minutes summertime and visitors may the church. Gold Court on the believed to be reused walk from this point and take a cruise along the River worthy of a visit. Built in Saxon south side of the square is stonework from Wareham The Black Bear Frome from here. A street times, this church stands on the reputed to stand on the site of Castle. North Walls on the east side of market is also held every Wareham’s mint which was Saturday throughout the year. 3. Further along on the left the gateway into the town. The Before that the parish church of 9. Opposite the Town Hall on Chancel and Nave are pre- established by King Athelstan in hand side is the site of St. Peter stood on this site, the the south side of East Street are the early 10th century. In 1086 Conquest of the 11th century. first priest was recorded in Wareham Castle. The castle There is also a series of wall the Almshouses. Founded by the Doomsday Book recorded mound has a large house, 1321. Today the Town Hall is John Streche who died in paintings, the earliest of which still used for Town Council two mints in the town. Castle Close, on it. Documents are probably 12th century. After meetings and the ground floor 1418, they were rebuilt in 15. Turn right at this point into a period of disuse it was imply that the Castle was for social functions. 1741 and have since been Church Green. The Parish renovated in 1936 and many completed by 1110 but it is not 8. Wareham Museum on East modernised internally. The bell Church of Lady St. Mary faces exactly known when it was people visit it to see the effigy tower was originally part of the of Lawrence of Arabia carved Street, next to the Town Hall, onto the Green. It is built on destroyed. Today the only by Eric Kennington. houses displays of local bygones 1768 Town Hall and was the site of an 8th century visible remains are the mound and a special section on moved to the roof of the Minster church and still boasts where the house now stands 7. The present Town Hall Almshouses when the present which has recently been Lawrence of Arabia. The a 14th century chancel and and traces of the surrounding refurbished was built in 1870. museum is open from Easter to Town Hall was built in 1870. Tudor Tower with a ring of 10 ditch. Massive stone It replaces an earlier Town Hall, mid October (Mon to Sat 10.00 From here walk back to the bells. The church contains a foundations have been school, jail and butcher’s shop - 4.00) and admission is free. traffic lights and turn left into number of objects of interest, discovered at points along the which were built in 1768. Tel 01929 553448. South Street. including five pre-Conquest The Parish Curch of Lady St. Mary