View source for Bridport

{{short description|Town in Dorset, England}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
 | official_name= Bridport
 | local_name=
|static_image_2_name= [[File:Arms_of_Bridport.svg|150px|Image: 150 pixels]]
|static_image_2_caption= [[Coat of arms]] of Bridport
| civil_parish = Bridport
 | unitary_england= [[Dorset (unitary authority)|Dorset]]
| lieutenancy_england = [[Dorset]]
 | country= England
 | region= South West England
 | population= 13,569
 | os_grid_reference= SY464925
 | map_type= Dorset
 | coordinates = {{coord|50.7336|-2.7584|display=inline,title}}
 | london_distance=
 | post_town= BRIDPORT
 | postcode_area= DT
 | postcode_district= DT6
 | dial_code= 01308
 | constituency_westminster= [[West Dorset (constituency)|West Dorset]]
 | website= {{URL|https://bridport-tc.gov.uk}}
 | static_image_name=Bridport, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 47461.jpg
 | static_image_caption=East Street and [[Bridport Town Hall]]
}}
[[File:Bridport, West Street 1742986 8dc02ee1.jpg|thumb|340px|West Street in 1960; Bridport's wide main street is a result of the town's history as a rope-making centre]]

'''Bridport''' is a [[market town]] and [[civil parish]] in [[Dorset]], England, {{convert|1+1/2|mi|km}} inland from the [[English Channel]] near the [[confluence]] of the [[River Brit]] and its tributary the [[River Asker|Asker]]. Its origins are [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] and it has a long history as a [[rope]]-making centre. On the coast and within the town's boundary is [[West Bay, Dorset|West Bay]], a small fishing harbour also known as Bridport Harbour.

The town features as Port Bredy in [[Thomas Hardy]]'s [[Thomas Hardy's Wessex|Wessex novels]]. In the 21st century, Bridport's arts scene has expanded with an arts centre, theatre, cinema and museum.

In the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]] the population of Bridport's built-up area was 13,568. The town is twinned with [[Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue]], France.

== History ==
Bridport's origins are [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]]. During the reign of [[Alfred the Great|King Alfred]] it became one of the four most important settlements in Dorset&nbsp;– the other three being [[Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester]], [[Shaftesbury]] and [[Wareham, Dorset|Wareham]]&nbsp;– with the construction of fortifications and establishment of a [[Mint (coin)|mint]].<ref>Bettey, p29</ref>

Bridport's name probably derives from another location nearby. In the early 10th century the [[Burghal Hidage]] recorded the existence of a fortified centre or [[burh]] in this area, called 'Brydian',<ref name=wessex108>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u5W9AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA98|isbn=978-0-7190-3218-9|title=The Defence of Wessex: The Burghal Hidage and Anglo-Saxon Fortifications |editor1-last=Hill |editor1-first=David |editor2-last=Rumble |editor2-first=Alexander R. |last=Dodgson |first=John McN. |chapter=The Burghal Hidage place-names|page=108 |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=1996}}</ref> which is generally accepted as referring to Bridport.<ref name=wessex192>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u5W9AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA192|isbn=978-0-7190-3218-9|title=The Defence of Wessex: The Burghal Hidage and Anglo-Saxon Fortifications|editor1-last=Hill |editor1-first=David |editor2-last=Rumble |editor2-first=Alexander R. |pages=192–3 |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=1996}}</ref>  'Brydian' means 'place at the (River) Bride',<ref name=wessex108/> and this name may have come from an earlier burh in the [[River Bride, Dorset|Bride Valley]] a few miles to the east, which perhaps was abandoned or not completed in favour of the harbour site at Bridport. A probable location for an earlier burh is at [[Littlebredy]].<ref name=bailey>{{cite web |url=http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/C%20J%20Baileys%20The%20Bride%20Valley/The%20Natural%20Setting.htm |title=Extracts from C.J. Bailey's Book "The Bride Valley" |publisher=burtonbradstock.org.uk |last=Bailey |first=C. J. |access-date=2 March 2014 |year=1982}}</ref> In 1086 the [[Domesday Book]] recorded that the town was called 'Brideport';<ref name=wessex192/> 'port' is [[Old English]] for a market town, thus 'Brideport' may have described the market town belonging to or associated with Bredy.<ref name=wessex108/> At a later date, in a reversal of a more typical derivation, the town lent its name to the river on which it stood; previously this had been the River Wooth, but it became the River Brit.<ref name=bailey/>

The [[Domesday Book]] recorded that Bridport had 120 houses in the reign of [[Edward the Confessor]] (1042–1066). In 1253 the town was awarded its first charter by [[Henry III of England|Henry III]],<ref name=WDDC>{{cite book |title=West Dorset (Holiday and Tourist Guide) |publisher=West Dorset District Council |year=c. 1983 |page=5}}</ref> and by the subsequent reign of [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] Bridport sent two members to Parliament.<ref name=Bettey109>Bettey, p109</ref> In the 14th and 15th centuries, like other Dorset coastal towns, Bridport suffered heavy losses due to frequent outbreaks of the [[Black Death]]; one 14th-century account by [[Geoffrey the Baker|Geoffrey Baker]] recorded that the disease "almost stripped the seaports of Dorset of their inhabitants".<ref name=Bettey109/><ref>Bettey, p46</ref> Around this time the town was also subjected to attacks by raiding French and Spanish forces.<ref name=Bettey109/>

Since the [[Middle Ages]] Bridport has been associated with the production of [[rope]] and [[Net (device)|nets]].<ref name=Hyams>{{cite book |title=The Batsford Colour Book of Dorset|author=John Hyams|page=18|year=1975 |publisher=B. T. Batsford |isbn=0-7134-3006-0}}</ref> The earliest official record of this industry dates from 1211, when [[John, King of England|King John]] ordered that Bridport make "as many ropes for ships both large and small and as many cables as you can".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bridportmuseum.co.uk/#!rope-and-net/c1qxw |title=Rope and Net |publisher=Bridport Museum Trust |work=bridportmuseum.co.uk |access-date=20 August 2015}}</ref> The raw materials needed, [[flax]] and [[hemp]], used to be grown in the surrounding countryside, though they were superseded in modern times by artificial fibres such as [[nylon]].<ref name=Wightman>{{cite book |title=Portrait of Dorset |last=Wightman |first=Ralph |author-link=Ralph Wightman |publisher=Robert Hale |page=157 |year=1983 |edition=4th |isbn=0-7090-0844-9}}</ref> Bridport's main street is particularly wide due to it previously having been used to dry the ropes, after they had been spun in long gardens behind the houses.<ref name=Hyams/> Ropes for gallows used to be made in the town, hence the phrase "stabbed with a Bridport dagger" being used to describe a hanging.<ref>{{cite book |title=Dorset Coast |last=Hammond |first=Reginald J. W. |publisher=Ward Lock |page=31 |year=1979 |isbn=0-7063-5494-X}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Dorset Villages |last=Gant |first=Roland  |year=1980 |page=125 |publisher=Robert Hale |isbn=0-7091-8135-3}}</ref>
[[File:Bridport Town Hall.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bridport Town Hall]] (1786) by [[William Tyler (architect)|William Tyler]] [[Royal Academician|RA]]]]

In the [[English Civil War]] (1642–1651) the population of Bridport mainly supported the [[Cavalier|royalists]].<ref>Bettey, p111</ref> At the end of the war in 1651 [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] briefly stayed in the town at [[The George Inn, Bridport|The George Inn]] as he sought to escape [[Roundheads|Parliamentarian forces]] after his defeat at the [[Battle of Worcester]].<ref name=WDDC/> Local loyalty to the king again played a part in the first action in the [[Duke of Monmouth's Rebellion]] when on 16 June 1685, 40 cavalry and 400&nbsp;foot soldiers, commanded for Monmouth, moved on from [[Lyme Regis]] to Bridport, [[Battle of Bridport|where they encountered]] 1,200 men from the local royalist [[Dorset Militia|Dorset militia]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Clarke|first=Nigel J.|title=Monmouth's West Country Rebellion of 1685|publisher=Nigel J Clarke Publications|year=1985 |page=16|isbn=978-0-907683-17-9}}</ref> The skirmish ended with retreat of the rebel force,<ref>{{cite book|last=Tincey|first=John|title=Sedgemoor 1685: Marlborough's first victory|year=2005|publisher=Pen and Sword Books|location=Barnsley|pages=42–46|isbn=978-1-84415-147-9}}</ref> although many of the militiamen deserted and joined Monmouth's army.<ref>{{cite book|last=Whiles|first=John|title=Sedgemoor 1685|publisher=Picton Publishing |location=Chippenham |year=1985 |edition=2nd |page=7|isbn=978-0-948251-00-9}}</ref>

Many buildings in Bridport, particularly in the main street, date from the 18th century. [[Bridport Town Hall]] was built in 1785–6, with its clock tower and [[cupola]] added about twenty years later.<ref name=WDDC/> Older buildings can be found in South Street, and include the 13th-century St. Mary's [[parish church]], the 14th-century [[chantry]] and the 16th-century [[Bridport Museum]].<ref name=WDDC/><ref name=Hyams/><ref name=Wightman/>

The population of Bridport in 1841 was 4,787.<ref>The National Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge, Vol III, London, 1847, Charles Knight, p.805</ref> During the 19th century Bridport's population grew little, unlike many Dorset towns,<ref>Bettey, pp.72–73</ref> although many sturdy buildings were constructed at this time, showing that at least parts of the population remained prosperous.<ref>Bettey, p140</ref> In 1857 the [[Bridport Railway]] was opened, which joined the town with the existing national rail network. This benefitted the town's textile industry and brought cheaper goods such as coal to the area.<ref name=sims>{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2008/03/the-man-behind-bridports-railway/ |title=The man behind Bridport's railway |first1=Richard |last1=Sims |first2=Marion |last2=Sims |publisher=Dorset Life Magazine |date=March 2008 |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> In 1884 the line was extended from [[Bridport railway station|Bridport's station]] to a new terminus on the coast at Bridport Harbour, which was renamed West Bay as part of attempts to promote it as a resort. The West Bay extension closed to passengers in 1930 and all traffic in 1962.<ref name=life>{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2008/08/west-bay/ |first=Colin |last=Varndell |date=August 2008 |access-date=14 August 2015 |title=West Bay |publisher=Dorset Life Magazine}}</ref> The entire Bridport line closed in 1975.<ref name=sims/>

The town gave its name to [[Bridport, Vermont]] and [[Bridport, Tasmania]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bridport Historical Society Inc, Bridport VT |url=https://museumsdatabase.com/museums/view/32022 |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=museumsdatabase.com}}</ref>

==Governance==
In the UK national parliament, Bridport is within the [[West Dorset (UK Parliament constituency)|West Dorset parliamentary constituency]]. {{As of|2024}}, the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) is [[Edward Morello]] of the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]].

Bridport has two-tiers of [[local government]]. At the lower level, Bridport is a [[civil parish]] governed by a [[parish council (England)|town council]] of 20 members elected from 5 wards representing neighbourhoods of the town.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bridport-tc.gov.uk/about/role-of-council/ | title=Role of the Council - Bridport Town Council | date=9 January 2017 }}</ref> At the upper level, Bridport is part of [[Dorset (unitary authority)|Dorset unitary authority]]. [[Bridport (ward)|Bridport electoral ward]] (which also includes neighbouring [[Symondsbury]]) elects 3 of the 82 members to [[Dorset Council (UK)|Dorset Council]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Area profile for Bridport - Dorset Council |url=https://gi.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/insights/AreaProfiles/Ward/bridport |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=gi.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk}}</ref>

In 1835 Bridport became a [[municipal borough]], the district contained only the parish of Bridport from 1894.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10153268|title=Relationships and changes Bridport MB through time|publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]]|accessdate=5 August 2024}}</ref> in 1974 the district and parish were abolished and it became part of [[West Dorset]] district.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1972/2039/schedule/part/12/made|title=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|publisher=[[legislation.gov.uk]]|accessdate=5 August 2024}}</ref> A [[successor parish]] was formed covering the same area as the former district and its parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1973/1110/made|title=The Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973|publisher=legislation.gov.uk|accessdate=5 August 2024}}</ref> In 2019 Bridport became part of [[Dorset (district)|Dorset]] unitary authority area. The rural hinterland around the town formed [[Bridport Rural District]] from 1894 to 1974.<ref>See [[List of rural districts formed in England and Wales 1894–1974]]</ref>

On 1 April 2024 the parishes of [[Bothenhampton]] and [[Allington, Dorset|Allington]] were abolished and merged with Bridport, part of Allington also went to Symondsbury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/dorset.html|title=Dorset Registration District|publisher=UKBMD|accessdate=5 August 2024}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:West Bay, Dorset 1.jpg|thumb|The Jurassic cliffs, West Bay]]
Bridport is in the [[English county|county]] of Dorset in [[South West England]]. Measured directly, it is about {{convert|14|mi|km}} west of the county town [[Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester]], {{convert|15+1/2|mi|km|0}} SSW of [[Yeovil]] in [[Somerset]], {{convert|33|mi|km}} east of [[Exeter]] in [[Devon]] and {{convert|1+1/2|mi|km}} inland from the English Channel at West Bay. The town centre is sited between the small River Brit and its tributary the Asker, about {{convert|800|yards|metres|-1}} north of their confluence, at an altitude of {{convert|10|-|15|m|ft}}. Another small tributary, the [[River Simene]], also joins the Brit to the west of the town centre.

Bridport contains several neighbourhoods, some of which used to be separate villages. These include [[Allington, Dorset|Allington]], Skilling, [[Coneygar]], [[Bothenhampton]], [[Bradpole]], Court Orchard and St Andrew's Well. South of the town centre and within the town's boundary is [[West Bay, Dorset|West Bay]], a small fishing harbour known as Bridport Harbour until the arrival of the railway.

The geology of Bridport comprises rocks formed in the [[Pliensbachian]], [[Toarcian]], [[Aalenian]], [[Bajocian]], [[Bathonian]] and [[Callovian]] ages of the [[Jurassic|Jurassic Period]], overlain by superficial [[Quaternary]] deposits of [[alluvium]] alongside the rivers. There are several [[Fault (geology)|faults]] in the area, including the Mangerton Fault, which is aligned SSW-NNE and runs from West Bay up the valleys of the River Brit and Mangerton River. This intersects with several E-W faults, including three in the lower Brit Valley, between Bothenhampton and West Bay, that run east, and two, north of the town centre, that run west. The land beneath the town centre and to the west and southwest (around the neighbourhood of Skilling) is mostly Eype Clay, a [[micaceous]] [[mudstone]], though slightly younger Down Cliff Sand crowns the hill at Watton Cross. The hills immediately north of the town are formed from [[Bridport Sand]], with Allington Hill and Watton Hill having small caps of [[Inferior Oolite]]. North of the hills, moving away from the town's built-up area, undifferentiated Down Cliff Sand and Thorncombe Sand is separated from the Bridport Sand of the hills in most places by a band of [[Beacon Limestone]]. The hills east of the town, around [[Walditch]] and [[Loders]], are also mostly of Bridport Sand capped by Inferior Oolite, with the Beacon Limestone outcropping near their base and the undifferentiated sands closer to the town. To the south east however, the faults running east from the lower Brit Valley are associated with a change to slightly younger material, mostly calcareous mudstones and sandstones ([[Fuller's Earth]], [[Frome Clay]] and [[Forest Marble]]), with small outcrops of [[Cornbrash|Cornbrash limestone]] and [[Kellaways Formation]] to the south of Bothenhampton parish church.<ref>British Geological Survey (2005), 1:50 000 Series, England & Wales Sheet 327 (Bridport, Bedrock & Superficial Deposits), {{ISBN|075183398-3}}</ref>

The coast at Bridport is part of the [[Jurassic Coast]], a [[World Heritage Site]] that covers a continuous {{convert|96|mi|km}} of coastline in Dorset and neighbouring east Devon. Chesil beach starts at Portland and ends at West Bay. The east pier of West Bay is at the east end of Chesil beach. All of the town is also within the [[Dorset National Landscape]] area,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://explorer.geowessex.com/?layers=4805&basemap=27&x=376944.16&y=99635.35&epsg=27700&zoom=10 |title=Dorset Explorer |publisher=Natural England |access-date=12 August 2015 |archive-date=6 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006075621/http://explorer.geowessex.com/?layers=4805&basemap=27&x=376944.16&y=99635.35&epsg=27700&zoom=10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> a protected landscape designation of national significance. The town's most notable landmark is the conical [[Symondsbury#Colmer's Hill|Colmers Hill]], its distinctive shape and small clump of summit trees being very noticeable from West Street.

Bridport is a [[Met Office]] coastal weather observation point.

== Demography ==
In the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]] the population of the built-up area of Bridport was 13,568.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11119942&c=Allington&d=16&e=62&g=6418511&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1399015890076&enc=1 |title=Area: Allington (Parish), Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |work=Neighbourhood Statistics |access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11121176&c=Bridport&d=16&e=62&g=6418299&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1399015384716&enc=1 |title=Area: Bridport (Parish), Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |work=Neighbourhood Statistics |access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11121039&c=Bradpole&d=16&e=62&g=6418291&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1399015645310&enc=1 |title=Area: Bradpole (Parish), Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |work=Neighbourhood Statistics |access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11120950&c=Bothenhampton&d=16&e=62&g=6418314&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1399016060826&enc=1 |title=Area: Bothenhampton (Parish), Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]]|work=Neighbourhood Statistics |access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref> The 2012 mid-year estimate of the population of Bridport's built-up area is 14,697.<ref name=profile>{{cite web |url=https://www.dorsetforyou.com/343586 |title=Bridport town profile |publisher=Dorset County Council |work=dorsetforyou.com |access-date=13 August 2015 |date=3 November 2014}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="width:800px;"
! colspan= "15" style="background:; color: " | <span style="margin-left: 40px; color:">Historic population of Bridport civil parish</span>
|- style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:; color: height:17px;"| Census
! style="background:; color: ;"| 1921
! style="background:; color: ;"| 1931
! style="background:; color: ;"| 1951
! style="background:; color: ;"| 1961
! style="background:; color: ;"| 1971
! style="background:; color: ;"| 1981
! style="background:; color: ;"| 1991
! style="background:; color: ;"| 2001
! style="background:; color: ;"| 2011
|- style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:; color: ; height:17px;"|Population
| style="background:#F2F2F2;"| 5,910
| style="background:#F2F2F2;"| 5,920
| style="background:#F2F2F2;"| 6,270
| style="background:#F2F2F2;"| 6,530
| style="background:#F2F2F2;"| 6,370
| style="background:#F2F2F2;"| 6,880
| style="background:#F2F2F2;"| 7,290
| style="background:#F2F2F2;"| 7,730
| style="background:#F2F2F2;"| 8,332
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="15" style="background:#F2F2F2; color:; text-align:center;"| <small>Source:Dorset County Council<ref name=profile/></small>
|}

According to [[council tax]] records, in 2014 the proportion of homes within Bridport's built-up area that were second homes was 4.8%. The figure for Bridport parish alone was 5.6%.<ref name=profile/>

== Economy ==
[[File:Palmers Brewery.jpg|thumb|left|Palmer's Brewery]]
Writing in 1965, [[Ralph Wightman]] stated that "in the best possible meaning of the word Bridport has always been an industrial town, and its industries always had a connection with the countryside and the sea [...] Bridport has not had any industrial revolution. It has not blasted the countryside, and it has escaped the worst depressions. Perhaps this accounts for the fact that it has always been famous for good food and drink".<ref name=Wightman/>

In 2012 there were 4,900 people employed in Bridport, 59% of whom were employed full-time and 41% part-time. The most important types of employment were distribution, accommodation and food (39% of non-agricultural employment), public administration, education and health (20%), production (18%) and construction (9%), with the remaining 14% accounted for by finance, [[Information and communications technology|ICT]] and other services.<ref name=profile/> Major employers in the area include [[AmSafe]], [[Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust]], Denhay Farms, Dorset Community NHS Trust, [[Dorset County Council]], Edwards Sports Products, Gundry Bridport Ltd, [[Morrisons]] and [[Waitrose]].<ref name=profile/> Several firms in the town continue Bridport's heritage of rope and netmaking: Gundry Bridport Ltd manufacture rope and nets,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/1c7a535d-6d77-4501-9d26-9098729c20f5 |publisher=nationalarchives.gov.uk |title=BRIDPORT-GUNDRY LTD OF BRIDPORT, ROPEMAKERS netmakers, etc. |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> AmSafe – formed by the industrial division of Gundry Bridport in 1979 – specialise in the design and manufacture of textile safety products for aerospace and defence,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://amsafebridport.com/about-us/#open-0 |title=About Us |publisher=Amsafe Bridport |work=amsafebridport.com |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> and Edwards Sports Products, operating in the town since 1884, manufacture sport nets for major events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edsports.co.uk/our-story |title=Our Story |publisher=Edwards Sports Products (A Division of Broxap Ltd) |work=edsports.co.uk |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> Other companies in the town include Palmer's Brewery (JC & RH Palmer Ltd) and valve-manufacturer [[Curtiss-Wright|Curtiss Wright]]. There are seven business estates in and around the town: Gore Cross Business Park (6.1&nbsp;hectares or 15&nbsp;acres), St Andrews Trading Estate (2.4&nbsp;hectares or 5.9&nbsp;acres), North Mills Trading Estate (2.2&nbsp;hectares or 5.4&nbsp;acres), St Michael's Trading Estate (1.8&nbsp;hectares or 4.4&nbsp;acres), Dreadnought Trading Estate (1.6&nbsp;hectares or 4.0&nbsp;acres), Pineapple Business Park (1&nbsp;hectare or 2.5&nbsp;acres) and Old Laundry/Sea Road North (0.55&nbsp;hectares or 1.4&nbsp;acres).<ref name=profile/> 
[[File:Bridport, Saturday market in South Street - geograph.org.uk - 1364367.jpg|thumb|Saturday market in South Street]]

Bridport has a twice-weekly [[street market]] and monthly [[farmers' market]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2005/01/13/farmers_markets_feature.shtml Farmers' Markets in Dorset] BBC Dorset</ref> In 2005 there were 128 shops in the town, with a floorspace totalling {{convert|119000|sqft|m2}}.<ref name=profile/> Several national chains have stores in the town, including [[WHSmith]], [[Boots UK|Boots]], Morrisons, [[The Co-operative Food|Co-op]], [[Superdrug]], [[Waitrose]], and [[Fat Face]].<ref name=profile/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fatface.com/page/storelocator/?loc=Bridport&lat=50.7335769&lng=-2.7583009999999604&active=0|title=Find a Store|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref> The food retail catchment area of the town extends up to 5 miles north, east and west, and in 2001 had a population of 19,200.<ref name=profile/> [[R J Balson & Son]], a butcher's shop on West Allington, is known as "England's Oldest Family Butchers", and claims a continuous line of family butchers back to the year 1515.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25711108 |title=Business tips from UK's oldest family firms |last=Wallis |first=Lucy |work=BBC |access-date=15 January 2014 |date=15 January 2014}}</ref> According to the Institute for Family Business, it is the oldest continuously trading family business in the UK.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-15594926|title=BBC News – Dorset butchers is 'oldest family business in UK'|work=BBC News|date=4 November 2011 |access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref><ref>BBC4 programme "Hidden Histories" broadcast 15 January 2014</ref>

West Bay is the nearest port to Bridport. West Bay harbour was used by ships carrying cargoes of timber during part of the 1970s.

== Culture, art and media ==
In the 21st century, Bridport's arts scene has contributed to the town becoming increasingly popular with people from outside the locality.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/feb/18/artnews.film Why everyone flocks to Notting Hill on Sea]   The Observer, 18 February 2007</ref> It has an arts centre, theatre, library, cinema and museum, and several annual events.

[[File:Bridport Arts Centre .jpg|thumb|left|[[Bridport Arts Centre]]]]
[[Bridport Arts Centre]] originated in the early 1970s when local activists bought an old [[Wesleyanism|Wesleyan]] chapel and adjacent schoolroom on South Street and converted them into a theatre and art gallery—named the Allsop Gallery in memory of broadcaster and local resident [[Kenneth Allsop]]. The centre hosts a diverse programme of cultural events and since the 1990s has received funding from the [[Arts Council England|Arts Council]].<ref name=hub>{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2010/08/bridport%E2%80%99s-arts-hub/ |title=Bridport's arts hub|author=Tony Burton-Page |access-date=30 January 2014 |date=August 2010 |publisher=Dorset Life Magazine}}</ref> In 1973 the centre founded the Bridport Prize, an annual international poetry and short story competition described by its patron [[Fay Weldon]] as "a prize really worth fighting for in terms of prestige and genuine literary accomplishment".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.literatureworks.org.uk/the-bridport-prize/ |title=The Bridport Prize |publisher=Literature Works |work=literatureworks.org.uk |access-date=13 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812215523/http://literatureworks.org.uk/the-bridport-prize/ |archive-date=12 August 2016  }}</ref>

[[File:The Electric Palace, Bridport - geograph.org.uk - 7289323.jpg|thumb|The Electric Palace Cinema]]
The Electric Palace Cinema has occupied its existing site since 1926. It closed down in 1999 but an ensuing campaign to 'Save the Palace' resulted in the building being [[Listed building (United Kingdom)|listed]] before being bought by a new owner and refurbished to include a digital projector, auditorium [[mural]]s, a new restaurant and [[art deco]] bar.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2007/04/bridports-electric-palace/ |title=Bridport's Electric Palace |last=Burton-Page |first=Tony |publisher=Dorset Life Magazine |date=April 2007 |access-date=30 January 2014}}</ref> It reopened in 2007 and in March 2009 hosted the world premiere of ''[[The Young Victoria]]''.<ref>[http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/4167852.Oscar_winner_s_love_affair_with_Victoria/ Oscar-winner's love affair with Victoria] Dorset Echo, 3 March 2009</ref>

The Lyric Theatre, which reopened in 2010, hosts quirky theatre, puppetry, comedy, clowning and music. It is also the base of children's theatre company Stuff and Nonsense. Bridport Museum, located in South Street, includes an extensive exhibition of the town's long history of rope-making.

Bridport features as 'Port Bredy' in the fictional '[[Thomas Hardy's Wessex|Wessex]]' of [[Thomas Hardy]]'s novels, and is the setting for [[Eden Phillpotts]]' 1918 novel ''The Spinners''. [[Frederick Harcourt Kitchin]], under the [[pseudonym]] Bennet Copplestone, used the area in his 1922 novel ''The Treasure of Golden Cap''.<ref name=guttridge>{{cite web |last=Guttridge |first=Roger |url=http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2006/06/literary-bridport/ |title=Literary Bridport |publisher=Dorset Life Magazine |date=June 2006 |access-date=29 January 2014}}</ref>

=== Events ===
Bridport holds a number of festivals. The Bridport Literary Festival has been running since 2005 and has played host to literary figures such as [[Elizabeth Jane Howard]], [[Victoria Glendinning]], [[Minette Walters]] and Fay Weldon. Bridport Food Festival is held in late June at Asker Meadow. It showcases locally produced foods for which the area is well known. The Food Festival week concludes with the Round Table Beer Festival. Since 2010, there has been an annual Hat Festival which takes place in 'Bucky Doo Square' for a weekend every September.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bridporthatfest.org|title=Bridport Hat Festival – Live Music, Stalls, Competitions and More…|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref> An annual Christmas Tree Festival is held every December in the United Church. Over sixty trees are decorated by local and national charities, with visitors able to make donations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/10888035.print/ |first=Rene |last=Gerryts |title=Charity boxes stolen from Bridport Christmas Tree festival |publisher=Newsquest Media Group |work=dorsetecho.co.uk |date=19 December 2013 |access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://realwestdorset.co.uk/2009/12/bridport-christmas-tree-festival/ |title=Don't miss Bridport Christmas Tree Festival |first=Jonathan |last=Hudston |date=10 December 2009 |publisher=Real West Dorset |access-date=13 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213102607/http://realwestdorset.co.uk/2009/12/bridport-christmas-tree-festival/ |archive-date=13 February 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

Bridport holds an annual carnival on the third Saturday in August. The main feature is a carnival parade of floats, walking acts and [[majorette (dancer)|majorette]]s, with other attractions including a [[car boot sale]], [[fete]] and [[funfair]]. After the carnival South Street is closed for the night as [[live music]] is played while people dance in the street. The funfair is also open late. On the following night a torchlight procession takes place, with 1,500 torches carried 2 miles from the town centre to a [[bonfire]] at West Bay. This is followed by live music and [[firework]]s. West Bay's funfair opens until late. The events raise money for local good causes and organisations.

Melplash Show, described by its organisers as "the South West’s premier agricultural exhibition", is held annually on the showground at West Bay on the Thursday before the August [[Bank Holiday]] weekend.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.melplashshow.co.uk/ |title=Welcome to the Melplash Agricultural Show |publisher=Melplash Show Society |work=melplashshow.co.uk |access-date=16 August 2015}}</ref>

Local artists in Bridport and the surrounding area open up their studios as part of Bridport Open Studios, which marked its 15th year in 2013. The event takes place over the three days of the August Bank Holiday weekend and over 100 artists participate.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Anne |url=http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/bridportnews/10383063.Call_for_West_Dorset_artists_to_open_up_their_studios/ |title=Call for West Dorset artists to open up their studios |publisher=bridportnews.co.uk |date=26 April 2013 |access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> The popularity of the event has led to three more open events in November, Easter and May. The biggest artist led venue is the St Michael's Studio complex on the St Michael's Trading Estate. It provides studios for 25 artists and attracted over 700 visitors to the 2009 event.

Other one-day events include the West Bay Wallow,<ref>[http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/bridportnews/4012160.Wallow_in_and_get_out_quick_/ Wallow in and get out quick!] Bridport News, 31 December 2008</ref> a charity swim event in which participants often wear fancy dress, organised by the Bridport Round Table on [[Boxing Day]], and a raft race in the River Brit basin, also at West Bay, in July; it is organised by the [[RNLI]] and participants race in homemade rafts and usually wear fancy dress.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westbay.co.uk/events/ |title=Annual Events in the West Bay Area |publisher=westbay.co.uk |access-date=16 August 2015}}</ref> It has been run for over forty years and attracts thousands of spectators, with money raised for the RNLI.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/bridportnews/9849118.Bridport__Thousands_cheer_on_RNLI_raft_race_competitors_at_West_Bay/?ref=arc |title=Bridport: Thousands cheer on RNLI raft race competitors at West Bay |publisher=Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd |work=bridportnews.co.uk |first=James |last=Tourgout |date=1 August 2012 |access-date=16 August 2015}}</ref>

=== Media ===
Bridport has one local weekly newspaper, the ''Bridport News'', owned by [[Newsquest]] and published on Thursdays. The ''[[Dorset Echo]]'' also serves Bridport.

Bridport receives ''[[BBC Spotlight]]'' and [[ITV West Country]] television, transmitted in digital from the [[Stockland Hill transmitting station|Stockland Hill Transmitter]] and a digital relay transmitter based at Highlands End.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Bridport|title=Freeview Light on the Bridport (Dorset, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=4 December 2023}}</ref> Local radio includes [[Greatest Hits Radio]] and [[BBC Radio Solent]].

Bridport has one community website, Bridport Radio, which uses a newspaper style format. It mixes local information with comedic made-up news stories. The site allows users to comment on local subjects.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110615163636/http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article6872843.ece Townies in the country] The Times, 18 October 2009</ref>

=== Filming location ===
Bridport and the surrounding area was used to film [[Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall]]'s Channel 4 television programme ''[[River Cottage]]'' and the BBC dramas ''[[Harbour Lights (TV series)|Harbour Lights]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/9910985.Who_dunnit_TV_drama_stars_West_Bay/?ref=mr |title=Who dunnit TV drama stars West Bay |publisher=Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd |work=bridportnews.co.uk |first=Anne |last=Bell |date=5 September 2012 |access-date=16 August 2015}}</ref> starring [[Nick Berry]] and ''Rockliffe's Folly'' starring [[Ian Hogg (actor)|Ian Hogg]]. West Bay was used to film the 1950s film  ''[[The Navy Lark (film)|The Navy Lark]]'' (based on [[The Navy Lark|the radio series]] of the same name), the opening credits of ''[[The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin]]'', and much of the filming of the crime drama ''[[Broadchurch]]'',<ref>[http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/bridportnews/9910985.Who_dunnit_TV_drama_stars_West_Bay/ Who dunnit TV drama stars West Bay] Bridport News, 5 September 2012</ref> starring [[David Tennant]] and [[Olivia Colman]], and was written by [[Chris Chibnall]] who lives in Bridport.

== Transport ==
The [[A35 road|A35 trunk road]] between [[Honiton]] and [[Southampton]] passes around the centre of Bridport on a [[Bypass (road)|bypass]]. Routes which start in the town include the [[A3066]], which heads north through [[Beaminster]] towards [[Crewkerne]], and the B3157 coast road to [[Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]]. The busiest main route in the Bridport area is the A35 west of the town at Miles Cross, which in 2012 had an average of 15,200 vehicles per day – this was an 85% increase over vehicle numbers in 1983, but a 3% decrease compared to 2007. Other main routes around the town have experienced similar changes.<ref name=profile/> Bridport is quite some distance from the [[UK motorway network]] with the nearest motorway access at junction 25 of the [[M5 motorway|M5]] at [[Taunton]], 32 miles (51&nbsp;km) away via the [[B roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme|B3162]] and [[A roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme|A358]] roads.

[[Bridport railway station]] was closed in May 1975, along with the [[Bridport Railway|Bridport – Maiden Newton branch line]]. The nearest railway stations to Bridport are [[Maiden Newton railway station|Maiden Newton]] on the [[Heart of Wessex Line]], [[Crewkerne railway station|Crewkerne]] on the [[West of England Main Line]], and [[Dorchester South railway station|Dorchester South]] on the [[South West Main Line]]. There is a bus service (X51) linking the railway stations in Axminster, Dorchester and Weymouth, and another ([[Jurassic Coast bus route X53|X53]]) between Axminster and Weymouth via Bridport. There are a few buses a day northwards to Beaminster, Crewkerne and [[Yeovil]], although travelling beyond Beaminster often involves a change. In 2017 Dorset County Council cut all rural bus subsidies in the area and so most of the surrounding villages are not served by scheduled services, with the exception of buses provided mainly for school transport but upon which the public is allowed to travel.

The nearest port with scheduled passenger services is Poole. The nearest international airports are [[Exeter International Airport|Exeter]] and [[Bournemouth Airport|Bournemouth]].
[[File:Sir John Colfox School - geograph.org.uk - 94115.jpg|thumb|The Sir John Colfox Academy at Bradpole]]

== Education ==
[[Primary school]]s in Bridport are Bridport Primary School, St Mary's CE VC Primary School, St Catherine's RC Primary School and Symondsbury CE VC Primary School. [[The Sir John Colfox Academy]] is the town's only secondary school. It is located on the outskirts of the town and serves ages 11 to 18. The [[sixth form]] is combined with [[Beaminster School]] in nearby [[Beaminster]]. Children also attend other secondary schools within the region: [[The Woodroffe School]] in [[Lyme Regis]], [[Colyton Grammar School]] in east [[Devon]], and the [[Thomas Hardye School]] in Dorchester. There are daily buses running to these schools from Bridport. Further and higher education in the region is provided by [[Yeovil College]], [[Weymouth College]], [[Kingston Maurward College]] and [[Bournemouth University]].

== Religion ==
[[St. Mary's Church, Bridport|St Mary's Church]] was founded in the 13th century though much of it dates from the 15th century and it was substantially restored and altered in the 19th century. There is a 17th-century brass in St. Catherine's Chapel that commemorates Edward Coker who was killed in 1685 during the [[Monmouth Rebellion]]. There is a strong connection with the Bridport United Church ([[Methodist]]/[[United Reformed Church|URC]]) and the two hold joint services, study groups and children's holiday clubs. The parish is linked with [[Roumois]] in the [[Diocese of Évreux]], [[Normandy]]. The church has a maximum capacity of 400 and hosts many events. It has a peal of eight bells.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bridport-team-ministry.org/churches/bridport/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225155248/http://www.bridport-team-ministry.org/churches/bridport/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=25 December 2014|title=Bridport|publisher=Bridport Team Ministry|date=2013|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>

Opposite the church is a [[Society of Friends|Society of Friends Meeting House]]. There has been a Quaker presence in the town since the middle of the 17th century. [[George Fox]] visited the Friends in the town in 1655 and said, "A fine Meeting there is there." The Bridport Quaker Meeting still meets for worship on Sunday and Wednesday mornings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bridportquakers.org.uk/aboutbridportLM.htm|title=About Bridport Quaker Meeting|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>

Bridport has a history of [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|nonconformism]]; a Dissenters' Academy was built in the town in 1768, and by 1865 the single [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] church, St Mary's, was outnumbered by non-Church-of-England establishments by seven to one.<ref name=hub/> The [[Wesleyanism|Wesleyan]] chapel on South Street, now the [[Bridport Arts Centre]], is a Grade II [[listed building]]; it was erected in 1838, designed by [[James Wilson (architect)|James Wilson]] of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], [[Somerset]], and built by Charles and Joseph Galpin of Bridport.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1227853|desc=Bridport Arts Centre|grade=II|access-date=1 March 2024}}</ref>
[[File:St Mary's Church Bridport.JPG|thumb|left|St Mary's parish church]]

The [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] "Chapel in the Garden", on the north side of East Street, provides a neutral development resource for an open faith community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unitarian.org.uk/index.shtml|title=Unitarians; many beliefs, one faith|access-date=28 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127173335/http://www.unitarian.org.uk/index.shtml|archive-date=27 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukunitarians.org.uk/bridport/ |title=Unitarian Chapel in the Garden Bridport |access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref>

== Notable buildings ==
Within the parishes of Bridport, Allington, Bradpole and Bothenhampton are 514 structures that are [[Listed building|listed]] by [[Historic England]] for their historical or architectural interest. Three of these are listed as Grade I (the designation of highest significance), seventeen are Grade II*, and the rest are Grade II.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/dorset/bridport#.VyWiMPkrLIU |title=Listed Buildings in Bridport, Dorset, England |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=1 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/dorset/bradpole#.VyWivfkrLIU |title=Listed Buildings in Bradpole, Dorset, England |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=1 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/dorset/bothenhampton#.VyWjefkrLIU |title=Listed Buildings in Bothenhampton, Dorset, England |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=1 May 2016}}</ref> The three Grade I structures are [[Bridport Town Hall]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-402330-town-hall-bridport-dorset#.VyWptvkrLIU |title=Town Hall, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=1 May 2016}}</ref> the [[St. Mary's Church, Bridport|Parish Church of St Mary]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-402937-parish-church-of-st-mary-bridport-dorset#.VyWo4PkrLIU |title=Parish Church of St Mary, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=1 May 2016}}</ref> and [[Holy Trinity Old Church, Bothenhampton|Holy Trinity Old Church]] in Bothenhampton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-105051-old-holy-trinity-church-bothenhampton-do#.VyWqevkrLIU |title=Old Holy Trinity Church, Bothenhampton |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=1 May 2016}}</ref> The seventeen Grade II* structures are: Bridport Museum, The Chantry and Daniel Taylor's almshouses (and wall of the Friends' burial place) in South Street;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-402341-the-castle-museum-and-art-gallery-bridpo#.VzCZZIQrLIU |title=The Castle (Museum and Art Gallery), Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bridportmuseum.co.uk/#!the-museum-building/ce5r |title=The Museum Building |publisher=Bridport Museum Trust |date=2014 |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-402951-the-chantry-bridport-dorset#.VzCdxYQrLIU |title=The Chantry, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-402503-daniel-taylor-s-almshouses-wall-of-frien#.VyZhMvkrLIU |title=Daniel Taylor's Almshouses Wall of Friends' Burial Place, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> No. 34 and Granville House in West Street;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-403839-34-west-street-bridport-dorset#.VyYJLfkrLIU |title=34, West Street, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-403951-granville-house-bridport-dorset#.Vy_GyIQrLIU |title=Granville House, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> the Literary and Scientific Institute (the old library), Granby House Masonic Hall, No.9 and the walls to the garden behind No.74 in East Street;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-104548-the-walls-to-garden-behind-no-74-bridpor#.VzCgAYQrLIU |title=The Walls to Garden Behind No 74, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-104556-granby-house-masonic-hall-bridport-dorse#.VyZpWfkrLIU |title=Granby House Masonic Hall, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-104515-public-library-bridport-dorset#.VzA2yoQrLIU |title=Public Library, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bridportadt.org.uk/projects/ |title=The history of the Bridport Literary and Scientific Institute |publisher=Bridport Area Development Trust |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-104506-9-east-street-bridport-dorset#.VyYKIvkrLIU |title=9, East Street, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> Nos.133–139 (one structure) and the Church of St Swithun in North Allington;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-401577-church-of-st-swithun-bridport-dorset#.VyYK6vkrLIU |title=Church of St Swithun, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-401656-133-139-north-allington-bridport-dorset#.VyXEffkrLIUā |title=133–139, North Allington, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> Nos. 27 and 29 (one structure) in West Allington;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-403209-27-and-29-west-allington-bridport-dorset#.VyYIIPkrLIU |title=27 and 29, West Allington, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> Downe Hall in Rawles Way;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-104478-downe-hall-bridport-dorset#.VyZmSfkrLIU |title=Downe Hall, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> the [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] chapel in Rax Lane;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-104514-unitarian-chapel-bridport-dorset#.VzD5RoQrLIU |title=Unitarian Chapel, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> Berry Farmhouse on Lower Walditch Lane;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-398510-berry-farmhouse-bothenhampton-dorset#.VzEDYoQrLIU |title=Berry Farmhouse, Bothenhampton |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> Messrs Norman goods warehouse in West Bay;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-403383-messrs-norman-goods-warehouse-bridport-d#.Vy_KnIQrLIU |title=Messrs Norman Goods Warehouse, Bridport |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> and the new [[Holy Trinity Church, Bothenhampton|Holy Trinity Church]] in Bothenhampton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-105046-new-holy-trinity-church-bothenhampton-do#.VzEEqoQrLIU |title=New Holy Trinity Church, Bothenhampton |publisher=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> [[The George Inn, Bridport|The George Inn]] dates from the 15th century and was where [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]] stayed on his way to [[Escape of Charles II|escape to France]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Inn, Bridport |url=https://www.closedpubs.co.uk/dorset/bridport_georgeinn.html |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=www.closedpubs.co.uk}}</ref>

== Sport and leisure ==
[[File:Port Coombe.jpg|thumb|right|6th hole, Port Coombe at the Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club]]

The town's football club is [[Bridport F.C.]], known as "The Bees". They currently play in the [[Western Football League]] Premier Division.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.toolstationleague.com/tables.php |title=League Tables |publisher=Western Football League |date=2015 |access-date=8 August 2015}}</ref> The club was founded in 1885 and the home ground is St. Mary's Field. The town's [[rugby union]] club is Bridport RFC. Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club is situated atop of the east cliff at [[West Bay, Dorset|West Bay]]. The club has an 18-hole links course, [[driving range]] and [[pitch and putt]] course. Bridport Barracudas Swimming Club is based at Bridport Leisure Centre.[[File:Hyde House "Real Tennis" Court - geograph.org.uk - 422726.jpg|thumb|Hyde real tennis court with Hyde House to the left]] A Water Polo section has junior and senior teams competing in the Dorset Water Polo League. Water Polo matches are held in summer in the outer harbour at West Bay, continuing a tradition dating back to 1898. The area also hosts a [[real tennis]] court, one of 27 in the UK. Hyde court, near the village of [[Walditch]], was renovated and re-opened in 1998 with the aid of a lottery grant.<ref>[https://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2009/01/tennis-for-real-in-dorset/ Tennis for Real in Dorset] Dorset Life, January 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2019</ref> Bowling is represented by Bridport Bowling Club, in Priory Lane (flat green outdoors in summer and short mat in winter), and Bridport Indoor Bowling Club in Shoe Lane.

== Notable people ==
Notable people connected with Bridport and its environs include [[Arthur Lee, 1st Viscount Lee of Fareham]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westminster-abbey.org/our-history/people/arthur,-viscount-lee-of-fareham |title=Arthur, Viscount Lee of Fareham |publisher=The Dean and Chapter of Westminster |work=westminster-abbey.org |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> and rock musician singer-songwriter [[PJ Harvey]], who were born there, as was first-class cricketer [[William Hounsell]]. American painter [[John Hubbard (artist)|John Hubbard]] was based there in the 1960s and 1970s. Writer [[Tom Sharpe]] moved to the town in 1978, and socialist musician [[Billy Bragg]] lives at nearby [[Burton Bradstock]].<ref name=guttridge/><ref>{{cite web |last=Churchill |first=Nick |url=http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2013/06/bridport-home-is-where-the-art-is/ |title=Bridport, home is where the art is |date=June 2013 |access-date=30 January 2014 |publisher=Dorset Life Magazine}}</ref> Restaurateur [[Mark Hix]] grew up in Bridport and painter [[George Biles]] worked there.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/mark-hix-losing-restaurant-empire-hindsight-blessing-disguise/|last=Stanford|first=Peter|title=Mark Hix on losing his restaurant empire: 'In hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise'|date=2020-12-18|publisher=The Telegraph|access-date=2021-08-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=George Biles – King of Signwriters Project |url=https://www.bridport-tc.gov.uk/2023/05/31/bridport-town-council-george-biles-king-of-signwriters-project/ |publisher=Bridport Town Council |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="MVM August 2024">{{cite news |title=Retrospective for Master Sign Painter – the remarkable talents of Bridport's George Biles |url=https://www.marshwoodvale.com/articles/2024/07/retrospective-for-master-sign-painter-the-remarkable-talents-of-bridports-george-biles/ |access-date=21 August 2024 |work=The Marshwood Vale Magazine |date=August 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Bridport (UK Parliament constituency)]]

== References ==

===Notes===
{{reflist}}

===General references===
*{{cite book |last=Bettey |first=J. H. |title=Dorset |publisher=David & Charles |year=1974 |series=City & County Histories |isbn=0-7153-6371-9}}

== External links ==
{{commons}}
{{EB1911 poster|Bridport}}
{{Wikivoyage|Bridport}}
*[http://www.bridport-tc.gov.uk Bridport Town Council]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070322025117/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2007/03/17/pbridport117.xml Welcome to Bridport, or Notting Hill on Sea] The Telegraph, 17 March 2007.

{{Dorset}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Bridport| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Dorset]]
[[Category:Market towns in Dorset]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Dorset]]