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To the north of the lively cosmopolitan resort of Bournemouth and the historic harbour town of Poole, lies East Dorset and Wimborne Minster, traditional rural England at its best with tranquil, picturesque countryside, sleepy villages and a wealth of fascinating attractions.
The region is rich in history, many traces of ancient times still remain, from Bockerley Dyke in the north, built to block the path of invading Saxons, to the haunting atmosphere at Knowlton Rings, where pagans and Christians vied for supremacy. Badbury Rings on the Kingston Lacy Estate is an Iron Age Hill Fort and reputedly the site of a great battle between King Arthur and the invading Anglo Saxons. Kingston Lacy Mansion houses one of the south's finest art collections with works by Ruebens, Van Brueghel and Titian.
The historic market town of Wimborne Minster itself is beautifully situated in the picturesque water meadows of the River Stour, where it joins the clear, free flowing River Allen.
The town's recorded history dates back to the 8th Century and there are many historic buildings, narrow streets and delightful squares and courtyards to explore as well as numerous places of interest both in the town and nearby. Thomas Hardy, the famous writer, lived in the town for a time, as did Isaac Gulliver, the notorious smuggler.
Every year in June Wimborne Minster's streets and small squares are filled with hundreds of musicians and dancers for the colourful Wimborne Folk Festival, the largest event of its kind in southern England.
Use the map of Wimborne below to zoom in or out to view directions or click the satellite button for an aerial view. For a larger version of this Wimborne map Click Here.
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