Milton Abbas

Milton Abbas

Milton Abbey School

Milton Abbas is a village in Dorset in the south-west of England, approximately seven miles south-west of the market town of Blandford Forum and 11 miles north-east of Dorchester. The village has a population of 766 (2001). The village is sometimes considered the first planned settlement in England.

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 of the Abbey. Most of the existing villagers were relocated here, and the previous village was demolished and the site landscaped.

The original abbey and House is now a famous boarding school - Milton Abbey School.

Today, Milton Abbas features on many picture postcards of rural Dorset. The 36 quaint white-washed and thatched cottages are each fronted by a lawn; originally, a chestnut tree was planted between each dwelling, but, aged and ravaged by disease, the trees were removed in 1953. The village has expanded to 256 dwellings since it was founded.

Some house-names give clues to some of the original inhabitants of the village: baker, blacksmith, brewery, etc. Today, the main street of the original village also features almshouses, a public house (the Hambro Arms), Post Office/shop, a now redundant school building, a church (designed by James Wyatt) and a Weslyan chapel. Above the eastern end of the valley, the village has been extended with more modern housing and other facilities, including a doctor's surgery.

18th Century Street Fair

Every 2 years the present 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 & demonstrations, a Dorset farmers' market, children's entertainment, Morris dancing, local food and ale and more.

External links

• Milton Abbey School
• Census data
• The old town of Middleton or Milton, and its destruction by Joseph Damer to create a large park

Coordinates: 50°48′54″N 2°16′36″W / 50.815°N 2.27667°W / 50.815; -2.27667