
Town in Dorset, England
Photo: Chris Downer, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Wimborne Minster, also called just Wimborne, is a town of 16,000 people (2014) at the confluence of the River Stour and the River Allen, on the Dorset Heaths in Dorset, England. The namesake Minster, which is a beautiful large church, has existed for over 1300 years and is recognised for its unusual chained library (one of only four surviving chained libraries in the world).
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
For over 1300 years this church has been a living centre for pilgrimage, prayer, mission and worship. The foundation goes back to c. 705 AD, when Cuthburga, sister to Ina, King of the West Saxons, founded a nunnery on the site. Five hundred nuns are reputed to have lived at Wimborne, many of whom followed St. Boniface to the then pagan Germany, as missionaries. The chained library, founded in 1686, can be visited on weekdays Apr-Oct, no disabled access.
Built in 1936 as a theatre and cinema. It features a wide variety of Art Deco features, including original chrome and Bakelite door handles.
Located on the outskirts, is one of the largest and most established model towns in England. It depicts Wimborne at the time it was made, in the 1950s. It is at 1/10 scale, so the model of the Minster is several feet high. The shop windows accurately show the goods the shops were selling at the time. The exhibition also includes a model railway based on Thomas the Tank Engine, which was opened by Christopher Awdry. Children are invited to complete a quiz sheet (there are several, graded by age).
10 galleries on East Dorset archaeology, costume and more, including period rooms, plus a tea-room.
An annual event of traditional folk dance and music that is one of the largest gathering of dance teams and musicians in the South of England. The festival involves morris dancing, Appalachian dancing, concerts, workshops and children's activities, with parts of the town being closed to traffic.
Kayak and rowing boat hire, run by a charity.
Indian restaurant.
Hall & Woodhouse pub with food at lunchtimes.
Old English Inns
200-year-old hotel. Pets are allowed in some rooms, if booked by phoning the hotel.
Guest House.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Bournemouth · Regional · BOH
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Wimborne Minster and United Kingdom.
Complete 2026 guide to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Check eligibility, the £20 fee, application steps, and transit rules.
7 min read
Complete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Find the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
A complete guide to taking the Eurostar from London to Paris. Learn about check-in times, border controls, baggage limits, ticket tiers, and booking tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.