Bridport & Allington

Bridport is a market town situated 15 miles west of Dorchester. In Victorian times it was also described as a seaport. The town was mentioned in the Domesday Book as having a mint and an ecclesiastical establishment.

The parish church of St Mary was completely restored in 1859 and the registers date from 1600. There is also the Roman Catholic church of Sts Mary & Catherine in Victoria Street. The Society of Friends have a meeting house which was erected in 1700 in South Street. There were chapels for Congregationalist, Baptist, Unitarian and Wesleyans.  

The town burial ground was opened in1856. Market day is Wednesday & Saturday. The importation of hemp & flax was an important trade. Other trades associated with the harbour were the manufacture of fishing nets, twines and sailcloth.

Allington parish forms part of the borough, the parish church of St Swithin was erected in 1827 but the registers date from 1600 although the many parts of the earlier ones are illegible. The population within the municipal limits in 1891 was 6,611 with 3,768 in Bridport and Allington 1,711.

Bridport and Allington are two large parishes that will eventually have a page of their own. Whilst data is limited it will be combined on this page.

The Online Parish Clerk for Allington & Bridport is Bernard Meech

Bernard is also OPC for Bothenhampton and Shipton Gorge so please ensure you include OPC and the Parish name in your email subject