Museums · South West England
Beaminster
Beaminster ( BEM-in-stər) is a town and civil parish in Dorset, England, approximately 15 miles (24 km) northwest of the county town Dorchester. It is sited in a bowl-shaped valley near the source of
Michael Garlick — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Best time of year
- Year-round
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
About
Beaminster ( BEM-in-stər) is a town and civil parish in Dorset, England, approximately 15 miles (24 km) northwest of the county town Dorchester. It is sited in a bowl-shaped valley near the source of the small River Brit. The population of Beaminster parish was recorded as 3,177 in the 2021 census. Beaminster is the product of the Anglo-Saxon age, dating back to around the 7th century, when it was known as Bebingmynster, meaning the church of Bebbe although the date of origin of the town is unknown. The place name and historic evidence indicates that it was probably the site of a primary Saxon minster church and was at the centre of a large episcopal estate. These are likely to have acted as a focus for a settlement, but evidence of its formation is lacking. In its history Beaminster has been a centre of manufacture of linen and woollens, the raw materials for which were produced in the surrounding countryside. The town experienced three serious fires in the 17th and 18th centuries; the first of these, during the English Civil War, almost destroyed the fabric of the town. Beaminster's parish church – the Church of St Mary – is notable for its architecture, particularly its tower, and is grade I listed.
Photo gallery
From the Wikipedia article
Beaminster ( BEM-in-stər) is a town and civil parish in Dorset, England, approximately 15 miles (24 km) northwest of the county town Dorchester. It is sited in a bowl-shaped valley near the source of the small River Brit. The population of Beaminster parish was recorded as 3,177 in the 2021 census. Beaminster is the product of the Anglo-Saxon age, dating back to around the 7th century, when it was known as Bebingmynster, meaning the church of Bebbe although the date of origin of the town is unknown. The place name and historic evidence indicates that it was probably the site of a primary Saxon minster church and was at the centre of a large episcopal estate. These are likely to have acted as a focus for a settlement, but evidence of its formation is lacking. In its history Beaminster has been a centre of manufacture of linen and woollens, the raw materials for which were produced in the surrounding countryside. The town experienced three serious fires in the 17th and 18th centuries; the first of these, during the English Civil War, almost destroyed the fabric of the town. Beaminster's parish church – the Church of St Mary – is notable for its architecture, particularly its tower, and is grade I listed.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
In the Domesday Book of 1086 the manor of Beaminster was recorded as being owned by the See of Salisbury. Bishop Osmund gave it as a supplement to two of the Cathedral prebends in 1091. The parish formed part of Beaminster Forum and Redhone hundred. In the English Civil War the town declared for Parliament and was sacked by Royalist forces in 1644. Prince Maurice stayed in the town on Palm Sunday, almost totally destroyed the town. By 1841 the population was 2,938. Previously Beaminster was a centre for the production of linen and woollens. Flax was grown and sheep kept on the surrounding hills and the town was locally more important than it is today: factories were constructed in the 18th…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 50.8090, -2.7391
- District
- Dorset
- Parish
- Beaminster
- Postcode
- DT8 3AS
- Parliamentary constituency
- West Dorset
- Official site
- beaminstermuseum.co.uk
Sources
- wikipedia: Beaminster (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Beaminster?
- Beaminster is in South-West England, United Kingdom (postcode DT8 3AS), in the parish of Beaminster.
- What is Beaminster?
- Beaminster ( BEM-in-stər) is a town and civil parish in Dorset, England, approximately 15 miles (24 km) northwest of the county town Dorchester. It is sited in a bowl-shaped valley near the source of
- How do I get to Beaminster?
- Drivers can use postcode DT8 3AS.
- How do I get to Beaminster?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode DT8 3AS. It sits within the West Dorset parliamentary constituency.