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
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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 Poole. 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 Dorset 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) Poole Harbour. 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 I Wareham Museum R B M O B S A Forest Way, Purbeck Way D C L TAXI O Taxi ranks and Purbeck Way West S TAXI E Railway 1 Places of interest Northport Greenway Walk 5 7 Station 3 (detailed below) A P h t u The Wareham Forest Way starts at the Quay, is twelve o Y CLOSE m USEWA miles long and ends in Sturminster Marshall. The Purbeck CA e n r Way also starts at the Quay and offers fifteen miles u o of walking through spectacular landscapes. Leaflets N B O / R T e available at Purbeck Information and Heritage Centre. H l C o A U o S P E A four walks pack showing the routes of these walks is W A Y available from the Purbeck Information and Heritage t Centre. en Tr N r O o R le T North Bridge d H id P C iver A R U S E W A Area known as Y Purbeck Information n Bowling Green o n o m s m k & Heritage Centre m E l DW a o A W m RD rs C o CRES e iv C R 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 Wareham L E R T t L lk C W I a I H s 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 N F Pi E 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.