Blandford Forum is located in the heart of , Attractions…

with spectacular scenery stretching in every direction. Nestled in Blandford Forum Town Museum a wooded valley on the banks of the River Stour, surrounded by Bere’s Yard, Blandford Forum DT11 7HQ gently rolling hills, it is one of ’s undiscovered treasures. Telephone: 01258 450388 The town’s focal point is its grand Market Place fringed by www.blandfordtownmuseum.org Museum© outstanding , unrivalled in the South West, The Museum records the history of Blandford Forum and the with many independent and interesting shops. Blandford Forum surrounding area, from the Stone Age to the present day with was destroyed by fire in 1731 and rebuilt in the succeeding exhibits ranging from the prehistoric to medieval to Victorian, to decades by two brothers, John and William Bastard. The Old the 21st century. There is a fantastic model railway, and a shop House, which survived the fire, the Corn Exchange and the Great with interesting replicas, books, cards and children’s toys. Fire Monument all contribute to the town’s wonderful Visitors can also spend time in the Victorian kitchen garden. Tea architecture. There are also museums, attractions and facilities and coffee is available. Free Admission. Open Easter Weekend to to suit all interests and the dramatic is within October, Monday-Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm. easy reach.

Blandford Fashion Museum Local Eateries… Lime Tree House, The Plocks, Blandford The Forum Café, The Plocks Forum DT11 7AA Telephone: 01258 453006 Half Crown Café, The Market Place www.theblandfordfashionmuseum.com Portraits of John and William Bastard The Gorge Café, East Street BFTC© The collection dates from the to the Fashion Museum Scruples Café, Barnack Walk 1970s and provides a unique history of fashion and accessories Reeve Café, The Market Place in a lovingly restored Georgian townhouse. Visitors can enjoy Oxfords Bakery & Café, Street fascinating exhibitions and a friendly welcome in the museum The Georgian Tea Rooms, Georgian Passage and the traditional tearoom. Open Thursday to Monday, October Café Sixty Five/Ottoman, East Street to Easter 11am-4pm, Easter to September 11am-5pm. Closed Namaste Gurkha Restaurant, East Street Sundays and from early December to mid February. The Crown Hotel, West Street Vecchia Roma Italian Restaurant, Georgian Passage Hall & Woodhouse Brewery China China Chinese Restaurant, West Street The Brewery, DT11 9LS Simla Indian Restaurant, West Street Telephone: 01258 486004

www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk Brewery© Activities… The Brewery Visitor Centre tells the story of Hall & Woodhouse Blandford Leisure Centre & Swimming Pool through the ages and offers a unique insight into the workings of Milldown Road, Blandford Forum DT11 7DB this family-run brewery. Open 10.30am-5.30pm, Monday to Telephone: 01258 455566 Saturday. Lunch available 12-2pm Monday to Saturday. Crazy Monsters Indoor Soft Play Area 8 Sunrise Business Park, Higher Road, DT11 8ST Royal Signals Museum Teleph0ne: 01258 456688 www.crazymonsters.co.uk , Blandford DT11 8RH

Telephone: 01258 482248 Blandford Skate Park www.royalsignalsmuseum.com Stour Meadows (behind the Brewery). Free t0 all. Royal Signals Museum© Public Toilets (WC) Dorset’s fastest growing visitor attraction, Town Council’s Skate Park There is a 20p charge for the toilets, provided by the Town for all the family. ENIGMA, Secret Agents, Spies, science and Council, which are currently open next to the Information Centre technology of communications, fun trails and much more. Open on West Street and at The Tabernacle, next to the Post Office and Monday to Friday 10am-5pm all year. Weekends and Bank Woodhouse Gardens (public gardens and pavilion). Holidays (Feb half term — end Oct) 10am-4pm. Events… Blandford Information Centre Blandford Georgian Fayre Riverside House, West Street Telephone: 01258 480333 Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7AW www.georgianfayre.co.uk Telephone: 01258 454770 Attracting over 20,000 people, it is a great The Market Place E-mail: [email protected] day out in the town centre for all the family with street stalls, Website: www.ruraldorset.com traditional fairground entertainments and plenty of music and April - September Mon-Sat 10am-5pm dance to enjoy. May Day Bank Holiday (biennial event—2012, October - March Mon-Sat 10am-3pm 2014, 2016 etc.) 10am-5pm. Visit the Information Centre for a warm welcome and comprehensive information on the town, its surroundings , Blandford Telephone: 01258 860361 and Dorset for both locals and visitors. Now an www.steam-fair.co.uk independent Trust, the Centre has brochures and leaflets Steam Fair © Welcome to Blandford Forum Dorset’s largest festival of nostalgia and steam, widely recognised on a wide range of attractions and events and can help as the leading event of its kind in the world with over 2,000 with travel information and accommodation bookings. exhibits, 500 trade stands, traditional working demonstrations There are public toilets next to the building and a long and rural crafts. Annual event at end of August/beginning of stay car park. September. Special advance rate tickets are available from the Information Centre.

Blandford Carnival A Georgian Gem in the Heart of Dorset Colourful floats, music and costume. Annual event held in early September.

Market Days are Thursdays and Saturdays with Farmers’ Markets on the second Friday (am) of the month. Great Fire Monument View of Card Island from Mortain Bridge The Corn Exchange Town Walks The Blandford & District Civic Society organise informative Town BLANDFORD FORUM Walks throughout the year, which provide a fascinating insight to the town’s heritage. Telephone: 01258 453550 for details. TOWN COUNCIL

Christmas Tree Lighting and Civic Church Service Early December. Contact the Town Council for dates. This leaflet has been compiled and printed by: Blandford Forum Town Council Blandford Yuletide Festival and lantern parade, with Town Clerk’s Office, Church Lane Christmas markets, music and fireworks! Annual event held in December from 6pm to 9pm (14 Dec 2011). Blandford Forum DT11 7AD

The Parish Church... Tel: 01258 454500 Email: [email protected] St Peter and St Paul's Church, The Market Place, Blandford Forum DT11 7AS Website: www.blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk

Telephone: 01258 456260 Open Monday to Friday 9.30 am—12.30 pm www.bfpc.org.uk Blandford Forum Parish Church

You can visit this beautiful Georgian church located in the town © centre between 9.30am and 12noon Monday-Friday and from All images are copyright Rachael Piper Harding (unless otherwise stated) 10am to 12noon on Saturday mornings.