Tolpuddle

Tolpuddle
Tolpuddle is located in Dorset
Tolpuddle
Tolpuddle
Location within Dorset
Population420 (2023 estimate) [1]
OS grid referenceSY792944
Civil parish
Unitary authority
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townDorchester
Postcode districtDT2
PoliceDorset
FireDorset and Wiltshire
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Dorset
50°44′58″N 2°17′46″W / 50.7495°N 2.2962°W / 50.7495; -2.2962

Tolpuddle ( /ˈtɒlpʌdəl/) is a village in the civil parish of Burleston and Tolpuddle, in Dorset, England, on the River Piddle from which it takes its name, 8 miles (13 km) east of Dorchester, the county town, and 12 miles (19 km) west of Poole. The estimated population of the parish in 2013 was 420.[1]

The village is well known as the home of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, six men who were sentenced to be transported to Australia after they formed a friendly society in 1833. A row of cottages, housing agricultural workers and a museum, and a row of seated statues commemorate the martyrs. The annual Tolpuddle Martyrs festival is held in the village on the third weekend of July. An ancient sycamore tree on the village green, known as the Martyrs' Tree, is said to be the place where the Martyrs swore their oath. It is cared for by the National Trust.[2]

The Martyrs Inn public house is owned by nearby Athelhampton House, a Tudor house open to the public approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) to the west.

St John the Evangelist's Parish Church dates from the 13th century.[3]

In 1999, the A35 trunk road through south Dorset, was moved to bypass both Tolpuddle and nearby Puddletown.[4]

The Green at Tolpuddle. It is believed that whilst sitting under this sycamore tree, the six Tolpuddle Martyrs agreed to form a trade union
  1. ^ a b "Parish Population Data". Dorset County Council. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  2. ^ "Tolpuddle Martyrs village tree pruning carried out". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  3. ^ West Dorset Holiday and Tourist Guide. West Dorset District Council. c. 1983. p. 21.
  4. ^ "A30 Exeter to Bere Regis". Highways Agency. Archived from the original on 10 August 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2013.