Bridport Dorset rope and nets of all kinds have been made at Bridport for nearly 1,000 years. In the past the bulk of the rope output was for the rigging of ships. But ropes for gallows were also made there, and the hangman’s noose was nicknamed the “Bridport dagger”.

The town was the biggest net-making centre in Europe.
The long gardens at the rear of the houses were used as rope-walks, places where the flax strands were Laid Out and twisted into shape. Its broad streets and pavements indicate a town of some substance. Popular as a coaching stop in early days, the practice continued into modern times as a break for motor coaches on the Plymouth to Portsmouth run.

Local towns and villages to visit

Abbotsbury
Bridport
Beaminster
Dorchester
Lyme Regis
Portland
Sherborne
Weymouth

White Space Gallery
Milltons Yard, West Street, Axminster, Axminster, EX13 5NU 01297 35807

Bridport Museum Trust
25 South Street, Town Centre, Bridport, DT6 3NR 01308 422116

PB Art Studio
56 South St, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3NN 01308 422494

Red Plum Gallery
27 South St, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3NR 01308 459458

Minterne Magna Gardens, Nr Dorchester 18th Century landscaped gardens with small lakes, cascades, streams, rare trees and shrubs.
Tel: 01300 341370

Athelhampton House, Nr Dorchester One of the finest 15th century houses in England with 20 acres of glorious walled gardens plus many attractions and facilities.
Tel: 01305 848363

Old Crown Court & Cells, Stratton House
58 - 60 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset. Tel: 01305252408

The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum and is now situated at Eastgate, corner of High East St & Salisbury St, Dorchester. A visit to Teddy bear House is in fact a visit to the home of Mr Edward Bear and his large family of human-size teddy bears! In the picturesque town of Dorchester, these unique bears live and work and would love you to come and visit their charming house. Tel: 01305 266040.

Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Dorset. Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Nr Dorchester Magnificent 18th Century walled garden with rare and exotic plant collections. Tel: 01305 8711387

Tourist Information Centre
47 South Street
Bridport
Dorset
DT6 3NQ
Tel: 01308 424901
Fax: 01308 421060

Seadown Holiday Park, Charmouth Dorset. Set in the beautiful, Charmouth Valley, is the perfect choice for your family seaside holiday. Bordered by the River Char, this peaceful, level, family run park boasts its own direct access to the Jurassic Coast beach and the Heritage coastal path. Static Caravans for Holiday Rent

Dorset Holiday Parks Static Self Catering Caravan Holidays, Ideal for family self-catering holidays all year round, some allow pets, weekends, half term or just a short break.

Freshwater Caravan Park, Burton Bradstock
Bridport, Dorset DT6 4PT
Tel: 01308897317

Autumn Cottage, Sydling St Nicholas, Dorset. sleeps 5. Set in the picturesque village of Sydling St Nicholas, just a short stroll from the village pub serving food, this warm and very comfortable property is in the heart of Thomas Hardy country, just 8 miles from historic Dorchester. At the end of a row of four in a quiet location adjacent to the owners home, it enjoys a pretty garden and views of the surrounding hills which are excellent walking country.

Dorset Cottages

Cosy properties in delightful settings,

town or country.

0845 268 1255

The Bull Hotel
34 East St, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3LF 01308 422878

Eype's Mouth Country Hotel
Eype, Bridport, DT6 6AL 01308 423 300

Roundham House
Roundham Gdns, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4BD 01308 422753

Bridge House Hotel
115 East St, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3LB 01308 423371

South West Lodge Weymouth, Dorset
Tel: 01305783749

Fernhill Hotel
Fernhill, Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6BX 01297 560492

Haddon House Hotel
West Bay, Bridport, DT6 4EL 01308 423 626

The George Hotel 18 George St, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4EY 01308 423191

The Martyrs Inn
49 Main Rd, Tolpuddle, DT2 - 01305 848 249

The Fox Inn
Ansty, Dorchester, DT2 7PN - 01258 880 328

The Victoria
Maud Rd, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2LW - 01305 262808

Frampton Arms
Station Rd, Moreton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8AZ - 01305 852253

Acorn Inn
28 Fore St, Evershot, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 0JW - 01935 83228

Old Ship Inn
16 High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1UW - 01305 264 455

The Blue Raddle
9 Church Street, Dorchester, DT1 1JN - 01305 267 762

Sydney Arms
11 Bridport Rd, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2NG 01305 259250

Three Horseshoes Inn
Powerstock, Powerstock, Bridport, Lyme regis, Dorset, DT6 3TF 01308 485229

New Inn
Shipton Rd, Shipton Gorge, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4LT 01308 897302

The Ropemakers
36 West Street, Bridport, DT6 3QP 01308 421 255

Lord Nelson
52 East St, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3LL 01308 422437

Wetherspoon
21 The Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HJ 01202 664380

The Quay Inn
The Quay, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4LP 01929 552735