The Hussey's of Dorset
Dorset is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. To the west of Dorset lies the county of Devon, to the east is the county of Hampshire and the counties of Somerset and Wiltshire are to the north. Dorset's coastline extends some 140 kilometres from Lyme Regis in the west to Christchurch in the east.
Dorset is a mainly rural county, with agriculture the major industry. Dairy farms dot the chalky uplands of Dorset whilst pig and poultry production is carried on in the low lying heathlands to the east. On the coast, small fishing fleets operate out of Poole, Weymouth and West Bay harbours.
Dorset is a mainly rural county, with agriculture the major industry. Dairy farms dot the chalky uplands of Dorset whilst pig and poultry production is carried on in the low lying heathlands to the east. On the coast, small fishing fleets operate out of Poole, Weymouth and West Bay harbours.
Dorset is rich in minerals such as gravel, sand and stone - Portland stone and Purbeck marble, both produced in Dorset, are renowned as building stone around the world. A variety of manufacturing industries, such as pottery and brick production, as well as rope and net making are located within Dorset.
The south coast of England has had a long tradition of smuggling, especially with the many coves and inlets ideal for concealing contraband. Dorset, in the heyday of smuggling was a very rural and sparsely populated county. The importing of goods, usually liquor, from across the channel under cover of darkness in order to flout excise regulations, was a lucrative sideline for many of the impoverished families living within a few miles of the coast. Contraband was often landed from large fishing boats, the main imports in the early 18th century were tobacco and spirits, although tea became more popular in the later part of the century. |
Wimborne Minster (or Wimborne) is a market town in East Dorset. Situated on the banks of the Rivers Stour and Allen, the town is named for the Parish Church known as Wimborne Minster. The Minster has existed for over 1300 years and was formerly a monastery and Benedictine nunnery. King Ethelred of Wessex was buried in the minster in the year 871. The church is also recognised for its unusual chained library. Holding valuable manuscript and artefact collections, it was one of the first public libraries in the United Kingdom.
Kingston is a small village on the Isle of Purbeck, a peninsula in Dorset. The Isle of Purbeck is bordered on three sides by water with the English Channel to the south and east and the marshy lands of the River Frome and Poole Harbour to the north. To the north of Kingston is the village of Corfe Castle. The medieval ruins of Corfe Castle stand on a hilltop overlooking the village.
The historic port of Poole was founded on a small peninsula to the north of Poole Harbour, Dorset. The second largest natural harbour in the world, Poole Harbour has been an important base for fishing and trade throughout the early history of Britain. The town grew rapidly before the industrial revolution as prosperous merchants benefited from trade with North America. However, as time progressed, ships became too large for the shallow harbour, trade declined, Poole became overcrowded and the population became impoverished. Although never reaching the popularity of the neighbouring town of Bournemouth, Poole developed into a resort town during the 19th century and was a major embarkation point for D-Day landings during the second world war.
The county town of Dorset is Dorchester which is situated on the banks of the River Frome. The railway reached the historic market town in 1847 and brought with it major growth and prosperity. Steeped in Roman history, Dorchester is also known as the birthplace of author and poet Thomas Hardy.
The county town of Dorset is Dorchester which is situated on the banks of the River Frome. The railway reached the historic market town in 1847 and brought with it major growth and prosperity. Steeped in Roman history, Dorchester is also known as the birthplace of author and poet Thomas Hardy.