Broadwindsor is a beautiful old village on the western edge of West Dorset in the U.K. (50.8188° N, 2.7986° W) nestling in the folds of the twin peaks of Lewesdon Hill (the highest point in Dorset) and Pilsdon Pen (an Iron Age Hill Fort).
It is two miles west of Beaminster and seven miles north of Bridport.
Broadwindsor is approx 9 miles to the coast at West Bay (nr. Bridport) and approx. 12.5 miles from the coast at Lyme Regis.
There were signs of settlements in this area prior to the arrival of the Romans in AD 43 and the village is recorded in the Domesday book. It had a recorded population of 57 households in 1086, putting it in the largest 20% of settlements recorded in Domesday, and is listed under 2 owners in Domesday Book. as the manor of Windesore held by Hunger, the son of Odin. This first census recorded – Households: 38 villagers. 12 smallholders. 7 slaves.
The village population @ Feb 2020 = approximately 654, with not so many elderly as one may presume.
The village square is much photographed, especially the 17th century village pub, The White Lion and King Charles Cottage, the place where King Charles II is reputed to have stayed the night in 1651 after his flight from the battle of Worcester.
- The Church of St John the Baptist, Broadwindsor, is situated in a commanding position in the centre of the village. It is probable there has been a Christian building on this site since Anglo-Saxon times. The church bells will chime 6am – 9pm… more HERE.
- The Comrades Hall is our village hall and one of our village’s main community hubs. Lots goes on here, from Brownies to Pilates, from short mat bowls to outreach Post Office sessions twice a week (Monday and Thursday mornings), parties and a Community Film Club which shows movies every month and hosts regular visits from Artsreach entertainers.
- Our lovely school, Broadwindsor CofE VC Primary School strives to offer the very best learning environment and to promote high levels of self-esteem and a lifelong love of learning. (The link will open in a separate tab)
Outside the school gates, there are two big clothes banks so deposits (in carrier bags only please) can be made at any time. All of the clothes donated raise vital funds to help support the school. Thanks for all donations so far – keep them coming! - The White Lion successfully became a Community pub in April 2022. Now with Clive and Kerry Dammert managing it, serving delicious food with their South African twist – always best to book to avoid disappointment.They also hold various food theme nights and entertainment events.
- Our shop, Broadwindsor Community Stores opened in 2013 and is manned by volunteers, doing an outstanding job in the current climate. They use their Facebook page to keep customers regularly updated. Find them HERE. (The link will open in separate tab)
- Our Multi Use Games Area (locally referred to as MUGA) is located at Broadwindsor School and is a marvellous community asset which opened in 2019. It offers a wide range of sporting options including tennis, basketball, hockey, netball, football, bowls and badminton and it’s free to use. Reopened July 2020 – Read more HERE
- Hursey Playing Field
- What was the Broadwindsor Craft Centre is now trading as Redlands Yard.
- Our Village green is known as Bernards’ Place.
- The village adopted a Neighbourhood Plan in August 2019. Read more here on Dorset Council’s website. (The link will open in a separate tab)
- Our elected Parish Councillors can be found HERE.
- Bin day – put out Monday night for collection Tuesday morning
If you’re interested in Broadwindsor’s history – and the village has lots of it – you can get yourself some further reading by acquiring a copy of My Story by Leonard Studley from Amazon by clicking HERE or from World Books by clicking HERE. More content will be added to the site in due course and your pictures, local stories and events are always welcome.
Please email them to info@broadwindsor.org.
You’re now invited to take 5 minutes out to relax and enjoy a tour of our twin peaks: Lewesdon Hill & Pilsdon Pen – this YouTube video created by local musician Simon Emmerson with his beloved spaniel Spice who sadly died in 2019. Simon now has a very cute, growing Spaniel pup, Pepper.
Simon sadly died in March 2023.
More recently, on a windy day
Local photographer, James Dawson took this 45 second video giving you a full 360 degrees from Pilsden Pen.
What a wonderful place we live!
The Brief History of Broadwindsor on the Web:
Broadwindsor.Org evolved from the first village website, broadwindsor.co which was originally set up Margery Hookings. Margery moved to the village in 2001 and was an ex-editor of the Bridport & Lyme Regis News. She continues to write for People’s Friend magazine and continues her blog as Maddie Grigg.
Margery then made her plans to move to France. . . . . However, Covid-19 and the lockdown brought different circumstances and conditions for us all: Margery’s move to France was delayed and brought the village “The Sound of Music Through The Square Window“; the new website was a project developed and launched ahead of the proposed Easter date and now continues to be developed and maintained by local* resident and Web Mistress, Wendy Shields.
* The term local is used here – but a Scot residing South of the border for almost 40 years – 15 years in Lyme Regis and since 2005 in the village of Broadwindsor – is a Scot and doesn’t really qualify as a local – just as someone from Carlisle is not and will never be a Scot. 🙂
In April 2021, Broadwindsor.org became a not-for-profit community organisation with commercial businesses paying a nominal fee to register with and be promoted by the website. The fees are purely to generate enough revenue to cover the essential operational overheads in order to keep the website going and update equipment where necessary. The Editor’s labour continues to be voluntary. Donations are always welcome!
To donate to Broadwindsor.Org
Scan the QR code and enter your own amount.
Thank You!
The aim is to
- deliver as much up-to-date, accurate local information as possible – primarily of interest and/or importance to residents of the parish.
- to inform the visitor to the village where they may find board, meals, transport, entertainment and assistance within the village and the surrounding areas.
- to both invite and welcome contributions, photographs and feedback from all who live in, visit and serve residents of the village of Broadwindsor and record our history through these exceptional times.
Please contact: info@broadwindsor.org or Message through Facebook HERE.
Follow Broadwindsor on Facebook and/or Twitter by clicking the icons below.
Broadwindsor.Org – Privacy Policy – Click HERE.