Littlebredy

Littlebredy (pop. 85) is a small village between Bridport and Dorchester, in the ancient county of Dorset, on the south coast of England.

It lies at the head of the Bride Valley, where the River Bride tumbles down a waterfall from its springs. These springs feed the lake in the grounds of Bridehead, which is the mansion at the centre of the village estate.

For more information on the village's history click here, here and here (external sites).

The village medical service is provided by nearby Portesham Surgery.

The BRIDE VALLEY NEWS is a free publication which announces coming Events and reports on what has been happening recently in the Church Parishes of the Bride Valley. There are occasional articles on Gardening, the Night Sky, the Book Club, WI reports and many others. To read it, click here.

Littlebredy Walled Gardens
These contain the 'Lost' Victorian Walled Kitchen and Flower gardens belonging to the village estate.

The attractive gardens and walks are being restored and the 5-acre site is open to visitors. The picture shows a view of the long lawn next to the river in the autumn sunshine.

The Walled Garden Workshop is a not-for-profit organisation offering Gardening Placements for suitable people interested in acquiring hands-on experience in gardening and horticulture. It is currently restoring the Littlebredy Walled Gardens with volunteer help and support.

Christine McFadden Cookery Christine is a well-established food writer, well-known for her inspiring cookbooks and regular magazine features. She writes a lively blog with must-try recipes that reflect her current food-related enthusiasms. She has also run occasional local Cookery Classes, which are are hands-on one-day courses with seasonal and local emphasis, but having flavours and cuisines from around the world.

River Cottage Upholstery is a venture about which the owner says she has "an absolute 24-hour-a-day unexcusable passion". She uses traditional upholstery methods and new or vintage textiles to professionally restore cherished furniture such as chairs, seats and sofas.

Lucie Milner - Decorative Artist offers a portfolio of original artworks, prints and highly creative decorative pieces. She will also consider taking on commissions. See her web site for more information and to view some of her skilled, artful and even humorous works and surface finishes, both classical and modern.

The Open Air Dairy's local cheeses Littlebredy boasts Europe's only large-scale dairy farm that is milking cows using mobile milking parlours which follow the cows in the field. The cows can graze and enjoy the open air year-round, not being confined indoors. The milk is turned into rich, distinctive Cheddar just two miles down the road from the fields and sold in local farm shops. The Open Air Dairy's web site lists some of the places that stock the tasty Coastal and Cave Aged Cheddars.

Top Parts Bed & Breakfast is set high on the downs above Littlebredy, two miles from the village of Abbotsbury and from the World Heritage Jurassic Coast. The newly refurbished Guest accommodation is in a converted period stable block across the courtyard from the main residence. There are two en-suite double or twin bedrooms and a delightful private breakfast/evening room. It's an ideal base for walking or touring.

Also of interest, in nearby Long Bredy:

Bellamont Topiary has the largest and most varied collection of British field-grown topiary shapes and hedging for sale in the UK, some as old as twenty years. "We are passionate about cultivating and shaping our trees..."

...and a little further down the Valley we find:

Bride Valley Nurseries who specialise in cultivating aquatic plants and water lilies, and who hold stock on site. They also have supplies of regularly sought-after Cottage Garden plants. Download their catalogue to see what is currently on offer.