Bridport

This article is about a place in England. For other meanings, see Bridport (disambiguation).

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50.732552-2.75862

50.732552-2.75862Coordinates: 50° 44′ N, 2° 46′ W

Bridport is a town with a population of 12,977 (2001) in Dorset, England.

Geography

The town is about 2 km from West Bay, which was originally called Bridport Harbour and is on the Jurassic Coast. Bridport lies on the River Brit, into which the Rivers Asker and Simene flow in the town.

History

The place originally lived from its fishing port and the production of ropes. Today the place is a popular second home and lives from tourism. The Palmer's Brewery (JC & RH Palmer Ltd) is located in Bridport.

The citizens of Bridport formed the Bridport Railway in 1854 and began construction of a railway line in 1855, which was completed in 1857. However, the line was then operated by the Great Western Railway, which extended the line to West Bay in 1884. The connection to the railway lessened the importance of the harbour and led to the community becoming a seaside resort. The West Bay branch line closed in 1930 and Bridport station closed in 1975.