10 Good Reasons to visit Wimborne Minster

Wimborne is a quaint market town with a central square, narrow streets, a corn market and a town trail to follow. The shops are plentiful and diverse - you only have to look through the advertisements supporting the feature on page 8-9 of the mid July issue of Viewpoint to realise this - and as the town's proper name suggests, it has a Minster. It also has a town crier and its own Militia. All these add up to a good enough reason to visit, but there is more to uncover in this Dorset jewel. Read on and discover why you really must take a trip to Wimborne.

Wimborne Minster the Church of St Cuthburga
This Saxon church dominates the town centre. With its Norman and Gothic architecture, gift shop and serene atmosphere, it is a visit that will live with you for a long time. People travel from all over the world to see the Minster, which includes the tombs of King Ethelred, John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and the maternal grandparents of King Henry VII. There is the famous Quarterjack clock and the 14th century astronomical clock. The Minster plays host to festivals and concerts as well as its regular parish services. The sleepy Minster Green nestles alongside - a neat green space where you can sit and relax in the sunshine.

Shops and businesses
Wimborne is a hive of activity. Quality shops and businesses are numerous and diverse with everything from galleries and gifts to fashion, hair, jewellery, sports and traditional sweets. With pretty streets, decked with flowers and places to stop for coffee, a meal or snack, you will find plenty to fill your day. And it is interesting to explore the little mews and walk along the River Allen that flows through the town - you may well spot a kingfisher or some trout swimming upstream.

Wimborne Model Town
This dear little reproduction of Wimborne itself will have the children enthralled and peeping in at all the shop windows. Attention to detail and regular maintenance ensures that the model town with its very own Minster of course, always looks its best. Situated in a beautiful garden with a tea room, the attraction is suitable for all ages and its most recent addition is a model railway.

Dreamboats
Wimborne has its very own rowing boats, which can be hired for a lazy row along the river - head towards the Wimborne Market car park and you will see the signs. Alternatively, after your shopping spree, visit the tourist information centre, known as the TIC near the Square and ask for directions.

The Priest’s House Museum and gardens
Situated just off the Square, and beautifully located for a visit during your shopping trip, this 16th century town house is steeped in atmosphere. Exhibitions run throughout the year and the gardens are meticulous and provide an oasis of enjoyment in the very heart of the town. The tea room serves drinks and home made cakes.

A wealth of eating houses and pubs
You won’t go short of somewhere to eat in Wimborne. In the town centre alone there are twelve pubs, add this to the plentiful restaurants, cafés and bars and you can find exactly the type of cuisine that suits your mood and your pocket. If you prefer to eat out of town, there are some beautiful traditional country pubs just on the outskirts where you can relax with a good meal, a pint, or both.

The Jubilee Garden
Completed in the year of Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, it was opened by their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Wessex. The garden is planted as a 17th century Physick garden. On 27 April 2002, the garden received a fluke visit by Sir Bob Geldof, who planted the rosemary bush. The garden also houses a gazebo, dating from 1750. Situated behind the town council offices in West Borough, the Jubilee Garden is open for everyone to enjoy at all times.

The Corn Market
A courtyard area situated off the Square and a short walk from the Minster. It is surrounded by pubs and restaurants and every second Saturday of the month, there is a farmers market from 9am-1pm with locally grown produce.

Wimborne Market
Wimborne Market is the largest covered market in the South of England. It has over 400 stalls selling everything from fresh produce to antiques, arts and crafts. It also includes a Farmers Market every Friday from 7am-2pm.

The Chained Library
The Minster’s chained library is accessed by a spiral staircase built over 600 years ago. One of the first public libraries, it was founded in 1686 and is the second largest chained library in the country. You can see a manuscript written in 1343 on lambskin, a book bound for the Court of Henry VIII, and a Paraphrase of Erasmus printed in 1522 with a title page designed by Holbein. Manned by volunteers, the chained library is open most days of the week, 10.30am-12.30pm and 2pm-4pm, from Easter Monday until the end of October. For confirmation of opening times and arranging group visits, contact the parish office on 01202 884753.

With all these to explore, a historic town to admire and a food festival being held in September in Dean’s Court, you may need more than one visit.