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Blandford Forum sits in a loop of the River Stour, a Georgian market town that owes its distinctive look to a devastating fire in 1731. Because the town was rebuilt almost entirely in one go by local architects John and William Bastard, the central marketplace has a symmetry and architectural consistency that is quite rare for Dorset. It’s a practical place to live, acting as a natural hub for the surrounding Blackmore Vale villages, with a good mix of independent shops alongside the larger supermarkets. While the town is famous for the Hall & Woodhouse brewery - which has been a major local employer for generations - it feels very much connected to the landscape. You can walk from the town centre straight into the water meadows, and the Trailway follows the old railway line out towards Sturminster Newton, making it easy to get out into the countryside without needing a car. Crucially, it remains a working town with its own pace, positioned well for those who need to reach Poole or Dorchester while preferring to stay tucked in the valley.