15 Apr Five Architectural Highlights of Dorchester

Five Examples of Stunning Exteriors in Dorchester

Dorchester is a vibrant town and offers a great variety of things to see and do. Because of the town’s rich history, it’s the perfect place to enjoy different types of architecture. In this blog, we want to highlight five examples of stunning exteriors in Dorchester.

1. Poundbury

Poundbury is an experimental new town or urban extension on the outskirts of Dorchester and it has been built according to the principles of Charles, Prince of Wales. It’s built to a traditional high-density urban pattern, rather than a suburban one, focused on creating an integrated community of shops, businesses, and private and social housing. Poundbury has become a stylish, eco-friendly ‘model’ village quite unlike anywhere else in Dorset. Built on the principle of giving priority to people rather than cars it provides an alternative community feel.

2. Judge Jeffreys Building

Judge Jeffreys Building is one of Dorchester’s most historic buildings on High West Street. It was built in the early 17th century, and it’s one of the few timber-framed buildings to survive Dorchester’s disastrous town fires. The inside of the building has been used as a restaurant, but the exterior retains the rustic timber look of the building as it would have appeared in Judge Jeffreys’ day. The distinctive black and white timbered building is listed as being of architectural and historic importance and is an iconic feature in the town centre.

3. Dorchester Corn Exchange

Dorchester Corn Exchange – Dorset

Another one of Dorchester’s most historic buildings is Dorchester Corn Exchange. The Building is two stories with walls of Broadmayne brick with Bath and Portland stone dressings and a tiled slate roof. The building was designed by Benjamin Ferrey (who also designed All Saints’ Church and the old County Hospital in the town) and erected in 1847-48 by the builder Samuel Slade. The building originally comprised a corn exchange, assembly hall, and council chamber, now you can have exclusive use of the whole venue for your wedding.

4. Max Gate

Max Gate is a beautiful Victorian house that Thomas Hardy designed and his father and brother built. Thomas Hardy initially trained as a professional architect and is the only English author of note to have done so. Hardy made the windows exceptionally large, partly to see the extraordinary garden that surrounds the house. The building began as a rather small centre hall, two-over-two plan, but over time, as Hardy’s writing became popular, he was able to add the entry porch and several rooms at the rear, including a study.

5. The Keep

Two round towers to the front, the archway between. Three storeys of long slit windows. Today the Keep Military Museum is a striking landmark in the heart of Dorchester. Completed in 1879, it was designed to resemble a Norman Castle, and is built of Portland stone which gives it a white appearance. It has an unusually realistic interpretation of a medieval castle in response to local sensibilities over the historic character of the town.

Do you live in Dorchester or the surrounding area?  We’d love to help you with your project!  HRG Services offer a selection of packages for the improvement and preservation of wooden windows.

These include:
* Draught-proofing and overhaul

* Window restoration

* Window refurbishment

* Sash window furniture

* New timber windows

* Rotten timber repair

* Slim double glazing

* Secondary glazing

* New window joinery

* Wooden window painting and more

For a free, no-obligation quote contact us on 0800 246 1947 or visit our contact page https://hrgservices.co.uk/contact-us/