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About
Wareham
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Wareham
straddles the divide between the Isle of Purbeck and the rest of
Dorset.
Occupying a strategic site between the River Piddle to the North
and the River Frome to the South. Wareham has a long and storied
past. The great earth walls which were built as a defence against
the Vikings are still standing making Wareham one of only two Saxon
walled towns in the country.
Today it is a thriving market town where the past and the present
co-exist happily. There are shops, pubs and restaurants and there
are churches, St Mary's was largely rebuilt in the 19th century
whilst St Martins still retains Saxon and Norman features. A notable
monument in St Martins is the effigy of T.E.Lawrence. The Priory,
now an hotel, was founded by the Carthusians in 1414. There is a
museum and a cinema which in itself is of historic interest.
Throughout the year there is a market on Saturday on the Quay, Thursdays
at Cottee's and a Produce Market at the United Reformed Church in
Church Street.
In July Wareham has a carnival with all the usual that would be
expected. Firework displays, a parade and music down by the quay.
Money is raised for deserving causes and a family day out is enjoyed.
A major new event is the Wareham Music Festival held over the August
Bank Holiday weekend. With over 30 bands playing on the Quay, the
Town Hall and all the town's pubs.
The main tourist office is located on South Street and is a good
starting point for information about the town.
Visitors
can make their way down to the quay where they can have a drink,
feed the ducks or take a boat out on the river. There are many footpaths,
the easiest being down by the river, where a great variety of wildlife
can be observed (in the last couple of years sightings of otters
has confirmed their return to the river).
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| Wareham
Quay |
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| The
rare Cettis Warbler thrives along the river Frome's banks. |
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