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Bridport

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the location in Tasmania, see Bridport, Tasmania.

Map sources for Bridport at grid reference SY4692

Bridport is a town in Dorset, England. Located near the coast at the Western end of Chesil Beach at the confluence of the rivers Brit and Asker, it originally thrived as a fishing port and rope-making centre (the hangman’s rope being made at Bridport gave birth to the saying "stabbed with a Bridport dagger"). The Port is no longer in existence although the harbour at West Bay is a mile away.

It is home to some light industry prominently, Palmer's Brewery (JC & RH Palmer Ltd), which recently celebrated its bicentennial; and AmSafe Bridport (American Safety), successors to the old established firm of Gundry's and Edwards Sports, main survivors of the 750 year old rope and net making companies), a thriving commercial centre with twice-weekly street market, and a mixture of friendly and unpretentious housing estates that provide homes for a large community of retirees. The Sir John Colfox School provides a secondary education for 11 to 18 year-olds from the town and surrounding villages. Local celebrities include singer PJ Harvey, actor Martin Clunes, Antiques Roadshow presenter Paul Atterbury and champagne socialist musician Billy Bragg. Bridport and the surrounding area was used to film Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Channel 4 television programme River Cottage.

According to the 2001 Census, the population of the Bridport parish stands at 12,977. One and a half miles from the town centre and within the town boundary lies West Bay, a small fishing harbour formerly known as Bridport Harbour.

1 Transport
2 Surrounding Villages
3 Nearby Attractions
4 See also
5 External links
6 References

The main Honiton - Southampton road A35 passes around Bridport on a bypass, and the A3066 to Crewkerne, via Beaminster starts in Bridport. The railway station in the town closed in 1975, and now the nearest stations are Maiden Newton, Dorchester or Weymouth. There are regular buses to Weymouth and Axminster, and the X53 Exeter - Bournemouth coastal service stops at the main bus station. There are minor buses serving surrounding villages as well.

Bridport is fast becoming a busy tourist destination in the summer, and there are many things for people to do in the area. In the town, the is the Arts Centre, and the lesuire centre. There are many good walks locally as well, and lots of shady villages to explore. THen of course the world famous Jurassic Coast, and Chesil Beach. The area is good for fossil hunters as well.

Within drving distance there are many attractions in nearby towns - Crewkerne, Beaminster and Dorchester to name a few. There are veiws from Lewesdon and Eggardon hills, and Golden Cap.