The Dorset Historic Towns Project report on Stalbridge.
The historic urban character of Stalbridge is closely bound up with its landscape setting and the quality of its historic fabric. The medieval town plan survives in almost complete form and the associated streetscapes are largely intact. The location of the church and market are significant in terms of the medieval character. The surviving plan elements of Stalbridge's various markets reflect the importance of rural commerce to the history of the town, as well as the importance of Stalbridge as a cattle market during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Good survival of the historic structure is complemented by the large number of historic buildings, with many unbroken groups and little disruption from modern development. This is a major factor which highlights the contribution made by historic elements to Stalbridge's urban character. The harmonious use of a range of local building materials helps underscore its local setting and emphasises links with the surrounding landscape.
Summary report
Here is a summary of the report (February 2011).
Detailed sections of the report
We have broken down the full report into individual sections, please select one of the parts to read:
- Part 1 and 2 Introduction and overview
- Part 3 and 4 Context and sources
- Part 5.1 and 5.2 Historical development - Medieval and post-medieval
- Part 5.3 and 5.4 Historical development - Nineteenth and twentieth century
- Part 6 Character appraisal
- Part 6 Historic Urban Character Area 1 The historic core
- Part 6 Historic Urban Character Area 2 The Ring
- Part 6 Historic Urban Character Area 3 Barrow Hill
- Part 6 Historic Urban Character Area 4 Station Road
- Part 7 Research and appendices