A brief history

There is no mention of Bridport in Roman times but the town was certainly in existence in Saxon times. Bridport is one of four towns in Dorset known to have had a mint during the Saxon period. The Domesday book states that there were 120 houses in Bridport at the time of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066). However, in 1086 when the Domesday book was compiled the town consisted of only 100 houses.

By the time of Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603) the town had become an important for the manufacturing of rope. Rope / net making being the industry for which Bridport has been famous for. The town was for parliament during the civil war. Charles II did stay briefly at the George inn (now a charity shop!) after the battle of Worcester. The aim had been to take a boat from Charmouth to France but the boat was not there so he came to Bridport.

In the centre of town stands the town hall a distinctive if not particularly attractive building. Work on building the town hall began around 1786; the cupola and clock were added in 1804. The town like most towns has long had its own brewery and unusually still does. It is said that there was once 15 public houses in the half-mile between the town hall and the brewery.