Stalbridge

Stalbridge is a small town situated in the Blackmore Vale, close to the Somerset border. It has held market rights since the time of Edward I, it has a market cross dating from the 15th century made from the local yellow Ham stone it is nearly 30 feet high, the cross head is a modern copy replacing the original which fell off in the 1950s. The church of St Mary's is mostly of 19th century design although it does retain its 14th century medieval roof. To the south of the town is Thornhill House home to Sir James Thornhill most famous as the painter of the Dome of St Paul's Cathedral, Sir James' daughter married one of his own pupils, Hogarth.

Called Stapulbreicge in 988, Staplebrige in 1086 & Stalbriggh in 1346 the name derives from the Old English stapol & brycg - a bridge built on posts or piles. The tything of Stalbridge Weston takes the 2nd part of its name from West Farm. There are also two other tythings Gomershay and Thornhill.

From September 1863 Stalbridge was served by Stalbridge railway station on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway, with trains to Bath and Bournemouth. The last train ran on 7 March 1966, and most of the tracks, station and goods yard have been replaced, though tracks still cross the road.

In 1618 Mervyn Tucher (or Audley), 2nd Earl of Castlehaven, who had inherited Stalbridge Park from his father, decided to build a mansion house on his Stalbridge estate. He enclosed an area used as common land to the northwest of the church, moving tenant farmers out, and built a Jacobean style mansion, one of the largest houses in Dorset. His son, James sold the house to Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork. After his father's death, the scientist Robert Boyle became Lord of the Manor, and the house was his residence between 1644 and 1652. It was here that he conducted many of his experiments. By 1822 the house was in poor repair and the then owner, the Marquess of Anglesey, had it demolished. By 1827 all that remained was the raised area where it had stood. The stone was sold off and much of it is in use elsewhere in the town, including the large farm house which now stands in the park. Stalbridge Park features in Thomas Hardy's Wessex as "Stapleford Park".

Stalbridge Market Cross
  © Copyright Chris Downer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

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