Milton Abbas
| Milton Abbas | |
| Dorset | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Milton Abbas | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ST806018 |
| Location: | 50°48’55"N, 2°16’34"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 755 (2011) |
| Post town: | Blandford Forum |
| Postcode: | DT11 |
| Dialling code: | 01258 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Dorset |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
North Dorset |
Milton Abbas is a village in Dorset, found around five miles south-west of Blandford Forum. The 2011 Census noted in the civil parish a population of 755.
History
In 1780, Joseph Damer, Lord Milton, the first Earl of Dorchester and owner of Milton Abbey, decided that the adjacent market town, Middleton, was disturbing his vision of rural peace. He commissioned architect Sir William Chambers and landscape gardener Capability Brown (both of whom had already worked on the Abbey building and grounds) to design a new village, Milton Abbas, in a wooded valley (Luccombe Bottom) to the south-east of the Abbey. Most of the existing villagers were relocated here, and the previous village was demolished and the site landscaped.
The 36 almost identical thatched cottages were intended to house two families each. They were built from cob and previously were painted yellow, with each house fronted by a lawn; originally a horse chestnut tree was planted between each dwelling.[1] Almshouses and a church were also provided for the new village, sited opposite each other. The almshouses were moved from the old town, where they had originally been built in 1674. The church, consecrated in 1786, is in Georgian Gothic style, with late 19th-century additions.[1]
Some house-names give clues to some of the original inhabitants of the village: baker, blacksmith, brewery, etc. Today the houses are white-washed, and the main street also features a public house (the Hambro Arms), a Post Office/shop, the Tea Clipper Tea Rooms, a now redundant school building, and a Wesleyan chapel.
In 1953 the original horse chestnut trees were judged unsafe and a danger to the houses and removed.[1] Above the eastern end of the valley, the village has been extended with more modern housing and other facilities, including a doctor's surgery.
Parish church
.JPG)
The parish church is named 'the Abbey Church of St Mary, St Sansom and St Bradwalader' and it dates mostly from the 14th century, with a 15th-century north transept and tower extension. It was restored in 1790 by James Wyatt and in 1865 by Sir George Gilbert Scott. It is described in its listing text as "a church of major importance".[2] The Chapel of St Catherine dates from the late 12th century and originally served the abbey. It has been changed little since its construction; during the 18th century the chancel walls were raised and the nave's west wall rebuilt, in 1901 it was restored, and about 1980 the stone slates on the north side of the roof were replaced with artificial stone.[3]
About the village
Milton Abbey School, built in 1771–1776 as a country house, was designed by Sir William Chambers and James Wyatt in the early Gothic Revival style. It largely replaced the abbey's domestic buildings.[4] The abbot's hall and kitchen at Milton Abbey used to be the abbey's hall (built 1498) and dining room (17th century); they were incorporated into the country house (now Milton Abbey School) by Chambers and restored by Sir Gilbert Scott in the mid-19th century. A fire in 1956 destroyed internal features in the kitchen.[5]
Within Milton Abbas civil parish are 75 listed structures; four structures are Grade I listed (the Abbey Church, the Chapel of St Catherine, Milton Abbey School and The Abbott's Hall, six are Grade II* and the rest Grade II. In addition, 1,322 acres of parkland around the abbey site are listed as Grade II* on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.[6]
Milton Manor, on the east side of the village, was originally built in the mid 19th century as a shooting lodge forming part of the Hambro Estate. It was enlarged in the early 20th century in the Arts and Crafts style.[7]
Events
Every two years the village holds an 18th-century street fair: villagers recreate their historic country fair to celebrate the rebuilding of the present village over 225 years ago. The fair attracts thousands of visitors and has become one of Dorset's key summer events. The main street is closed to traffic, and residents and stall holders dress in 18th-century costume. The day includes traditional music and dancing, local crafts people, stalls and demonstrations, a Dorset farmers' market, children's entertainment, Morris dancing, and local food and ale.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Milton Abbas) |
- Milton Abbey Church and Landscape
- Milton Abbey School
- The old town of Middleton or Milton, and its destruction by Joseph Damer to create a large park
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Roland Gant (1980). Dorset Villages. Robert Hale Ltd. p. 86. ISBN 0 7091 8135 3.
- ↑ National Heritage List 1304822: Abbey Church of St Mary, St Sansom and St Bradwalader
- ↑ National Heritage List 1304728: Chapel of St Catherine
- ↑ National Heritage List 1118566: Milton Abbey School
- ↑ National Heritage List 1152407: Abbot's Hall and Kitchen at Milton Abbey
- ↑ National Heritage List 1000721: Milton Abbey (Register of Historic Parks and Gardens)
- ↑ National Heritage List 1152530: Milton Manor Hotel, Milton Abbas