Dorset Architectural Heritage Week 2023: Events in Blandford Forum

Dorset Architectural Heritage Week is a celebration of the architecture of Dorset, both historic and contemporary. This year’s DAHW, which is organised by East Dorset Heritage Trust, runs from 8th to 17th September. All events are free and run by volunteers. A full programme of the Week’s events can be downloaded from the East Dorset Heritage Trust website. Tickets for all pre-bookable events can be reserved from www.eventbrite.com.

There are several events in Blandford, reflecting the town’s historical and architectural interest:

Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7UX.

Blandford Forum’s cemetery chapel was built in 1855 and is an important surviving example of both an unaltered early cemetery chapel and of Anglican church design in mid-nineteenth century Dorset. It was vandalised by an arson attack in September 2013 and has since been fully restored by the Town Council.

Full wheelchair access, disabled parking, assistance dogs welcome, pushchair / pram friendly, parking on site,
accompanied children welcome, photography welcome

An opportunity to visit Blandford Fashion Museum which is housed in a beautiful grade II* listed Georgian building, built by the Bastard Brothers for their sisters following the Great Fire of Blandford 1731.

Visit the museum’s attractive tearoom serving cream teas, homemade cakes, tea and coffee. There is also a gift shop stocking crafts by local crafts people.

Partial Disabled Access, accessible toilets, children welcome, photography welcome, no parking on site, no dogs.

Must be pre-booked; location details will be shown on ticket.

www.blandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk

A walk around the town centre with a guide from Blandford Town Museum’s Civic Group, taking approximately two hours.

The tour examines the history and detail of Blandford’s Georgian and other architecture, including the Grade I listed parish church, Town Hall and other fine buildings designed by architects John and William Bastard. See also the birthplace of sculptor and artist Alfred Stevens who designed the Wellington Monument in St Paul’s Cathedral, and whose work features in other places of note. Visit our History, Facts and Features page for more information about Blandford’s history.

Disabled parking and toilet facilities are in the car park on arrival, and disabled toilet facilities are available halfway round the walk. The walk is on public footpaths which are normally accessible.

Assistance dogs welcome, Pushchair / pram friendly, Cameras welcome, Dogs Welcome on leads, Accompanied Children Welcome.

Meet at the Marsh & Ham car park, Blandford (behind Morrisons supermarket, DT11 7AW), close to the Information Office.

Market Place, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7AF

Visitors will be able to visit the Town Hall and Council Chamber, where a variety of items and information will be exhibited. The Corn Exchange will be hosting a Community Expo on the day, to which everyone will be most welcome. Refreshments will be available.

Disabled access to the Corn Exchange only (Town Hall and Council Chamber are accessible only via steep steps), assistance dogs welcome, partial pushchair / pram access, accompanied children welcome, photography welcome, no dogs.

www.blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk

27 West Street, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 7AW

While the entrance to this building may be modest, behind it lies an impressive Masonic temple. This little-known and esoteric building was originally built circa 1770 and, as the Blandford Assembly Rooms, hosted Franz Liszt for a performance during his acclaimed tour of Europe in 1840-41. It has been in constant use as a Masonic Hall from 1869 to the present day. Come and visit this historic building with its fascinating temple and numerous Masonic artefacts. Discover more about the history of Freemasonry in Blandford and about some of the well-known local characters who were members of the organisation.

Rooms are at first floor level so no wheelchair access, but there is a stairlift. Parking in nearby public car park. No Cameras, No Dogs.

A walk around the town with a guide from Blandford Town Museum’s Civic Group, taking approximately two hours. The Geology Walk examines the history of the stones making up Blandford’s architecture, some of which date back millions of years.

Disabled parking and toilet facilities are in the car park on arrival, and disabled toilet facilities are available halfway round the walk. The walk is on public footpaths which are normally accessible.

Assistance dogs welcome, Pushchair / pram friendly, Cameras welcome, Dogs Welcome on leads, Accompanied Children Welcome.

Meet in the Market Place in front of Scrivens Opticians (DT11 7AF) at the junction of West Street and Salisbury Street.