Dorset
Sandbourne Court, Bournemouth
Bournemouth, with its miles of sandy beaches, mild climate - some of the driest and warmest weather in England - and a wealth of beautiful coastline, provides also a fascinating geological and fossil record of Jurassic Britain. Situated at the mouth of the river Bourne, on a former hunting estate Stourfield Chase, it is hard to believe that in 1800 it was largely barren heathland, frequented only by a few fishermen, turf cutters and smugglers. It developed in Victorian times, along with other towns on the South coast, as a destination for affluent holiday makers and invalids seeking the sea air. Its growth and prosperity much influenced by Dr. Greville’s book, “Spas of England” and the arrival of the railway, which put Bournemouth firmly on the map.
To-day Bournemouth, with the two adjoining towns of Poole to the west and Christschurch to the north, form the regional centre of business, education and culture in the South West. Bournemouth University provides the town with a youthful as well as traditional image and Bournemouth’s International Centre, Symphony Orchestra and Arts Institute bring with them both business and cultural regeneration. The commercial and civic centre is “the Square”, from which the gardens descend to the seafront and the pier. Shopping streets are mainly pedestrianized and offer a vast choice in modern shopping malls, major stores and Victorian arcades.
Bournemouth has excellent communication links: by rail to London, Waterloo: by road to the M3/M27 net work: and by air from Bournemouth International Airport.
Walpole Court, Puddletown
Puddletown lies in the shadow of the beautiful late mediaeval church of St, Mary, with its 17th century boxed pews, gallery and pulpit. Formerly a market town, the “Weatherbury” of Thomas Hardy’s West Country novels where his grandfather once lived, it is now a peaceful village on the banks of the river Piddle - its name allegedly changed to Puddletown, to avoid offending Queen Victoria, when she visited the area. The village centre, tastefully renovated at the turn of the 20th century by the Brymer family which has added to its charm, has enough basic shops for every day needs, whilst Dorchester,with its wealth of history, shops and cultural opportunity lies 5 miles to the South West – and the seaside at Weymouth is just 9 miles away. Puddletown is on the A35 Dorchester to Bournemouth road. There are buses to Dorchester, Weymouth, Poole and Bournemouth and an hourly train service from Dorchester to London. (2 ½ hours).