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Wareham and the Surrounding Area
Wareham is a market town in the Purbeck area of Dorset, England. The town is situated on the River Frome and the River Piddle, close to Poole Harbour, eight miles south west of Poole town.
The town is built on a stragic dry point between the two rivers that empty into the nearby Poole harbour, it therefore has a long history.
The older streets in the town follow a Roman grid pattern, though the current town was founded by the Saxons. The town's oldest features are the town Walls, ancient earth ramparts surrounding the town, which were built by Alfred the Great in the 9th century to defend the town from Norsemen.
View of Wareham river looking towards the sea
The town was a Saxon royal burial place, notably that of King Beorhtric (800 CE); also in the town is the coffin of Edward the Martyr, dating from 978, his remains now to be found in Shaftesbury Abbey in north Dorset. The River Frome serves as a small harbour and the town was a port in centuries when boats were smaller.
In 1762 a fire destroyed two thirds of the town, which has been rebuilt in Georgian architecture with red brick and Purbeck limestone, following the Roman street pattern.
The town is divided into four quarters by the two main roads, which cross at right-angles. The medieval Almshouses escaped the fire, and some of the Georgian facades are in fact disguising earlier buildings which also survived. Because of the constraints of the rivers and marshland Wareham grew little during the 20th century, while nearby towns, such as Poole, grew rapidly.
Since the 15th century Wareham has been a market town, and still holds a market on Thursdays.
Places to visit in and around the town of Wareham
- Brownsea Island - Beautiful island in the middle of Poole Harbour
- Corfe Castle and village - The village of Corfe, its skyline dominated by the ruined castle, is a visitors delight, at any time of year.
- Bovington Tank Museum - The Tank Museum in Bovington Dorset houses the world's largest and finest collection of Armoured Fighting Vehicles from unique World War 1 tanks to the latest main battle tank of the British Army - Challenger.
- Blue Pool and Tea Room - Purbeck´s famous beauty spot. The Blue Pool at Furzebrook was once a claypit, which accounts for a rare phenomenon that has attracted visitors from across the world ever since it opened to the public in 1935.
- Farmer Palmers Farm Park - Go and see the ponies, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, guinnea pigs, cows and chickens. You can feed the baby lambs or goats. Play in Straw Mountain or ride on the mini tractors, wild trailer ride and woodland walk. plus lots lots more.
- Monkey World - World renowned Monkey and Ape rescue centre. Close encounters with over 160 rescued and endangered primates from all over the world. Adopt a primate today!
- Swanage Steam Railway - Enjoy a trip from Norden past the dramatic scenery of Corfe Castle and onto the great seaside town of Swanage.
