The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here: Home > Explore your past > England > Dorset > Godmanstone

Godmanstone

Godmanstone photos (1 available)

Old photo of Godmanstone

Godmanstone maps (2 available)

Old map of Godmanstone

Godmanstone books (13 available)

Godmanstone memories

A tiny sketch by Judges 1958 found in Brisbane Charity Shop

Godmanstone, the Smiths Arms c1955

I found a delightful pair of sketches beautifully framed 16cm x 11cm - one of the subjects was a skillfully crafted sketch of the Smith's Arms at Godmanstone - almost identically as it appears in the above photo - it was a real place.
The artist signed his/her name Judges.
The second sketch is of a Dorset cottage in Cerne Abbas the year earlier.
These sketches are a window to a place in a time long ago.
Contributed by Adaiha Evans

Dorset memories

A tiny sketch by Judges 1958 found in Brisbane Charity Shop

Godmanstone, the Smiths Arms c1955

I found a delightful pair of sketches beautifully framed 16cm x 11cm - one of the subjects was a skillfully crafted sketch of the Smith's Arms at Godmanstone - almost identically as it appears in the above photo - it was a real place.
The artist signed his/her name Judges.
The second sketch is of a Dorset cottage in Cerne Abbas the year earlier.
These sketches are a window to a place in a time long ago.
A memory of Godmanstone contributed by Adaiha Evans

Easter 1962

I was one of 14 cyclists from Sussex who descended upon Cerne Abbas on Good Friday 1962, staying until Easter Monday.  We literally descended, as the route we used was to come over the hill from Piddletrenthide swooping down the narrow lane into the village.  We had left Sussex that Friday morning at about 7am and arrived in Cerne at about 7pm.  We were 8 blokes and 6 girls and we were booked in at the Old Cerne Union workhouse, then doing bed and breakfast, now in 2007 a rest home.  Torrential rain on the Saturday didn't stop us visiting Weymouth but on Sunday, when we went to Sherborne and Sturminster Newton the sun came out to allow us to don ...read more here
A memory of Cerne Abbas contributed by William Lovell

The 1st Hatch End Scouts camp at Piddletrenthide

Piddletrenthide, the Village c1955


THis view is EXACTLY as I remember this lovely village where the scouts from Hatch End spent a two week summer camp in 1957.

Although I no longer recall the name of the particular farm where we set up camp, I do remember our troop carrying out a good turn for the farmer. We were asked to demolish one of the ruined outbuildings and a month or so later we received an impressive scroll from him giving us the "right to call ourselves barnstormers and to march over his land forever with flags flying and knives unsheathed". A great impression on this 11 year old! The farmer's scroll was displayed in the Scout Hut back in Hatch End ...read more here
A memory of Piddletrenthide contributed by John Howard Norfolk

Extracts From Godmanstone & Dorset books

Godmanstone, the Smiths Arms c1955

Once the village smithy, the inn at Godmanstone is said to be the smallest public house in England. The beautifully-thatched building measures only 20?ft by 10?ft; it is about 500 years old.
An extract from from"Dorset Pocket Album".

Godmanstone, the Smiths Arms c1955

The sign reads ‘The smallest public house in England, originally a blacksmith’s shop. King Charles I stopped here to have his horse shod. He asked for a drink and the smith replied ‘I have no licence, sir’. So there and then the King granted him one’. The building measures some 20 ft by 10 ft.
An extract from from"Dorset Living Memories".

Dorchester, Max Gate, Thomas Hardy's Home 1930

Close to the Top o’Town, Dorset’s most famous son is commemorated in this life-size bronze statue by Eric Kennington, set on a Portland stone plinth. Unveiled by Sir James Barrie in 1931, the statue shows Hardy seated and dressed for the country, wearing a jacket and leather gaiters, with his hat on his knee. Around the figure are plants and animals, symbolizing Hardy’s love for his native countryside.
An extract from from"Dorchester Photographic Memories".

Charminster, Church and War Memorial 1922

The river runs alongside the right of the churchyard. The church building includes parts of an 11th-century pre-Norman church, with further additions being spread over the next eight hundred years. In the background is the war memorial and several thatched cottages . The church of St Mary was recently damaged by flooding.
An extract from from"Dorchester Photographic Memories".

Charminster, Man on the Bridge 1922

This footbridge is still to be found in the village. The young man may be delivering post, judging by his bag. He is apparently travelling on two wheels, as he is wearing bicycle clips. His straw boater is in the fashion of the time.
An extract from from"Dorchester Photographic Memories".