Blandford Forum | |
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Market Place, in the town centre | |
Location within the United Kingdom | |
Population | 10,355 (2021 Census)[1] |
OS grid reference | ST886069 |
• London | 101 mi (163 km) NE |
Civil parish |
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Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | BLANDFORD FORUM |
Postcode district | DT11 |
Dialling code | 01258 |
UK Parliament | |
Blandford Forum (/ˈblænfərd/ BLAN-fərd) is a market town in Dorset, England, on the River Stour, 13 miles (21 km) north-west of Poole. It had a population of 10,355 at the 2021 census.
The town is notable for its Georgian architecture, the result of rebuilding after a major fire in 1731; it was assisted by an Act of Parliament and a donation by George II, to designs by local architects John and William Bastard.
The town's economy is based on a mix of the service sector and light industry. Blandford Camp, a military base, is on the hills two mi (three km) north-east of the town. It is the base of the Royal Corps of Signals, the communications wing of the British Army, and the site of the Royal Signals Museum.