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After the fire the town was rebuilt to the designs of John and William Bastard, local architects, entrepreneurs, and politicians. Situated in the Stour Valley Blandford Forum is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery and picturesque villages in the South.
The area is superb for cyclists, walkers and ramblers alike, and includes historic archaeological sites at Badbury Rings, Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill.
History in Brief
Blandford Forum boasts the finest completely Georgian town centre in the South of England. In Saxon and earlier times the area of the town both sides of the River Stour had become known as Blaen-y-ford, or 'the place in front of the ford'. Over the period of several hundred years the towns name developed into that, as we know it today. Many of the older residents of the village still refer to the name before it gained the 'd' as 'Blaanverd'.
In 1605 a charter granted by King James I prescribed numerous new laws and regulations for the better government of the people of Blandford. The one omission from this charter that upset the local people was that it did not grant the right to send representatives to Parliament, or to have its own magistrates. Although several attempts were made in subsequent years to gain these rights, they were never granted.
Blandford Forums economy was built around its thriving market, but soon became a favourite place of residence for the 'well to do'. Daniel Defoe wrote:
"Blandford is a flourishing borough and market town containing 500 houses, many of them built in stone. It is a thoroughfare on the coach road to Exeter. No town hereabouts has so large a number of gentlemens seats about it as this, invited hither perhaps by the pleasant downs adjoining which can hardly be equalled in the world. It is now one of the most considerable towns of the country for travellers."
Blandford was not garrisoned during the Civil War, but opposing sides often occupied plundering the town houses for silver and valuables.
The economy once born on its market sales soon became influenced by agriculture, and particularly the trade derived from the intensive farming of sheep. In addition it had intensive cottage industries, making bag strings, lace, buttons and knitted stockings and a developing brewing industry. In later years a large industry grew around the needs of travellers, being as Blandford was on the main coach road between Exeter and London.
The town has suffered from many great fires in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The worst occurred in June 1731 when around 90% of the town was damaged or destroyed. Only the generosity of the Royal family and those from surrounding parishes made the rebuild possible. The design and construction was managed by John and William Bastard and was completed in 1760. This work created the town of Blandford Forum as it stands today, and is a tribute to the determination of the aforementioned individuals and a community against the odds.
Brewing Industry
Water, ale, milk, cider, mead and wines were the main drinks of the people of Blandford until Victorian times. Of these, ale made without the use of hops was the basic drink for men, women and children before tea and coffee became generally available. The quality of ale was controlled by the manorial courts throughout medieval times, and as early as 1390 twelve men stood before the Court Leet charged with brewing ale, and selling it contrary to regulations regarding quality and measure. In 1673 Walter Kerby, a Blandford innkeeper, was removed from office as a Capital Burgess for selling short measures!
Until the 18th century innkeepers and estate owners generally brewed their own ales and beers. The more successful began selling to other innkeepers until it became a full time occupation for some. Each town used to have a least one brewery to provide the local's requirements. In 1879 Neame and Cock took over the business, before handing it on shortly after to Hall & Woodhouse.
"The foundation of Blandford St Mary brewery is obscure. The first mention historians could find of any brewing there was 1789 when the first Lord Camelford granted the tenancy of a brewhouse to William Clapcott, a brewer. There would have existed a brewery nearby, but where no one exactly knows. In 1826 John Hector bought the lease to the brewery on the banks of the Stour and built up a sizeable wine and spirit business."
(Quote from Hurford Janes, Hall & Woodhouse 1777-1977)
How to Get There
Information published with kind permission of The Blandford Forum Museum Trust.
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