Wimborne Minster

Civil Parish in Dorset East Dorset

England

Wimborne Minster

Wimborne First School On School Lane, in a building dated 1911. — Wimborne First School Credit: Mike Faherty

Wimborne Minster is a civil parish located in the county of Dorset, England. Situated approximately 8 miles north of Poole, it is part of the East Dorset district. The parish covers an area of approximately 8.6 square miles and is home to a population of around 7,000 residents.

At the heart of Wimborne Minster is the historic market town of Wimborne, which dates back to the Saxon era. The town is known for its beautiful architecture, particularly the iconic Wimborne Minster church, a Grade I listed building that dominates the skyline. The church's origins can be traced back to the 8th century, with various additions and modifications made over the years. It is a major tourist attraction and serves as a vibrant place of worship.

Wimborne Minster offers a range of amenities and facilities, including local shops, restaurants, and pubs. The town has a strong sense of community and hosts regular events and festivals that draw visitors from near and far. The annual Wimborne Minster Folk Festival, for example, showcases traditional music and dance, attracting performers and enthusiasts from across the country.

The parish is surrounded by picturesque countryside, including the nearby Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, which offers outdoor activities such as cycling, walking trails, and a treetop adventure course. The River Stour flows through the area, providing opportunities for water-based recreation.

Overall, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, is a charming and historic civil parish that combines a rich heritage with modern amenities, making it an appealing place to live and visit.

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Wimborne Minster Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.798874/-1.977875 or Grid Reference SZ0199. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Wimborne First School

On School Lane, in a building dated 1911.

Mike Faherty

Wimborne, play area

On Redcotts Recreation Ground, at the end of School Lane.

Mike Faherty

Wimborne, Taphouse

The latest addition to Wimborne's pub scene, opened in 2013 on West Borough. Straight bar to right, drinking front, left and back; simple decor with bare brick and wooden panelling, background music. Cask ales on offer at my visit: six, served on gravity, including two from the local Six Arch Brewery. Link

Mike Faherty

Defending Dorset in 1940: Wimborne Anti-tank Island (1)

- Loopholed wall: DoB ID: e25267 Wimborne - West Borough - Loopholed Wall. The only surviving structure in Wimborne of the town's defences when it was designated an anti-tank island in 1940. This loopholed wall between two properties in West Borough was built to bring fire to bear on the approach road from the crossing of the River Allen to the north. The house directly opposite (the Old Saddlery) on the other side of the road was also requisitioned at the time, and handed over to the Home Guard to be used as a defended house. The second floor with its tiny north-facing window overlooking the street, may have served as a discreet observation post. SU0000 : Defending Dorset in 1940: Wimborne Anti-tank Island (2)

Mike Searle

Defending Dorset in 1940: Wimborne Anti-tank Island (2)

- Loopholed wall: DoB ID: e25267 Wimborne - West Borough - Loopholed Wall. A close-up of one of the three gunloops. Note that the construction of the aperture has been angled to the left of the photo and towards the direction of the perceived threat - the street outside. SU0000 : Defending Dorset in 1940: Wimborne Anti-tank Island (1)

Mike Searle

Northleigh Lane

The bridge over the old Southampton & Dorchester Railway on Northleigh Lane, saw its last passenger trains in 1964 and freight in 1974.

Peter Kazmierczak

Colehill Lane

Colehill Lane, near the entrance to St Michael's Middle School.

Peter Kazmierczak

Netherwood Mead towards the River Stour

James Emmans

The Square, Wimborne

View across The Square towards The King's Head.

Trevor Harris

Old Milepost by the B3078, south west of Furzehill

Cast iron post by the B3078, in parish of COLEHILL (EAST DORSET District), Wimborne, 150m South of turning to Furzehill, on grass verge by second lay-by, on West side of road. Poole cast iron post, erected by the Poole turnpike trust in the 19th century. Inscription reads:- : 9 / CRAN- / -BORNE : : POOLE / TRUST : : 1 / WIM- / -BORNE : Milestone Society National ID: DO_CBWB09.

J Tybjerg

Isaac Gulliver's house, Wimborne

Gulliver was a notorious smuggler based on the south coast of England during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Becky Williamson

Colehill: across Bytheway Field

Looking westward across this vast, lovely open space from near the Churchmoor Road entrance, on its eastern side. The information board proclaims it as "a great place for people and wildlife" and on an evening like this it was certainly very popular. I recall in the early 1980s, as a child, passing the house called Bytheway just along here, and initially thinking it was Welsh!

Chris Downer

Colehill: across the pond at Bytheway Field

The path rather splendidly goes across the northern corner of the wildlife pond in the centre of this fine open space, which has been established in relatively recent years. It is the first SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space) in East Dorset district, and includes a self-led orienteering course. It is very well used by dog walkers and equally people just fancying a stroll in the fresh air. One of the signboards proclaims Bytheway Field as "a great place for people and wildlife" which has a nice ring to it and is perhaps evidenced by the mallard taking her ducklings out for a swim, centre picture.

Chris Downer

Colehill: over the pond and into the sun

Looking along the path that crosses the pond within Bytheway Field, in the opposite direction to SU0200 : Colehill: across the pond at Bytheway Field. Bytheway Field is the first SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space) in East Dorset district, and includes a self-led orienteering course. It is very well used by dog walkers and equally people just fancying a stroll in the fresh air. One of the signboards proclaims Bytheway Field as "a great place for people and wildlife" which has a nice ring to it.

Chris Downer

Colehill: small footbridge in Bytheway Field

Ahead is the rather lovely wildlife pond. See SU0200 : Colehill: across the pond at Bytheway Field for more discussion on the Field.

Chris Downer

Colehill: eastern edge of Leigh Common

The Common features several paths - some gravelled and some, where necessary, elevated as a boardwalk - and is mainly woodland with a little open meadow.

Chris Downer

Colehill: boardwalk on Leigh Common

The Common features several paths - some gravelled and some, where necessary, elevated as a boardwalk - and is mainly woodland with a little open meadow. This boardwalk along the northern side of the common takes a rather splendidly meandering path.

Chris Downer

Wimborne Minster: ...but not close enough

Pictured about 10 minutes after kick-off of the World Cup semi-final between England and Croatia, which England would lose 2-1 after extra time. Three Lions Close is a modern development of infill housing around the back of the pub on the corner of West Street and Victoria Road, currently called the Minster Arms. The name has nothing to do with the England football team: the pub was previously known as the Pudding and Pye, before that the Pye Corner (the name of the junction), and originally the Three Lions, hence the name of the close. See SU0000 : Wimborne, The Pudding and Pye for the pub in its Pudding & Pye guise (in 2012), and SU0000 : Pye Corner when it was the Pye Corner (2007).

Chris Downer

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Wimborne Minster is located at Grid Ref: SZ0199 (Lat: 50.798874, Lng: -1.977875)

Administrative County: Dorset

District: East Dorset

Police Authority: Dorset