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Ashley Wood Ashley wood is an ancient hazel and ash coppice which used to be part of a large woodland area. It is located just east of Blandford Forum in East Dorset and can only be accessed by foot from the nearby village of Tarrant Keyneston. In the spring the woodland is carpeted in bluebells, which I couldn’t resist using as inspiration for today’s colourway. The woodland is managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust to encourage wildlife such as butterflies, wild… Read More »December Calendar Day 8: Inspiration & Reveal

Winspit Quarry Winspit is a disused quarry on the Isle of Purbeck. It was used to mine stone for buildings mainly in London. It was also used in World War II for naval and air defences. Some caves are usually open to the public, however many of them have been closed for public safety and bat conservation (the caves are home to fifteen of Britain’s native bat species). This year much of the area has been closed due to potential… Read More »December Calendar Day 7 (12 Day: 4): Inspiration & Reveal

Weymouth Weymouth is the third biggest town in Dorset after Bournemouth and Poole. It has a long history dating back to the 12th century, and is now a popular tourist destination. Like many seaside towns around Britain, Weymouth’s economy relies on tourism. Thanks to its harbour, beaches and position on the Jurassic Coast the town has many attractions to draw people to visit. The sailing events of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were held in Weymouth. Before the games… Read More »December Calendar Day 6: Inspiration & Reveal

Wimborne Minster Wimborne Minster is only a mile from where Bluebell Yarns is based. It is a market town with many thriving small businesses and at its heart lies the Wimborne Minster church. The Minster began its history around 705 when Saint Cuthburga founded an abbey of nuns on the current site. The central tower and nave remain from this time but most of the current building is Norman in construction. One of many interesting features of Wimborne Minster is… Read More »December Calendar Day 5 (12 Day: 3): Inspiration & Reveal

Kingston Lacy Kingston Lacy is a country house and large estate near Wimborne Minster. The original house was built by Ralph Bankes between 1663 and 1665, with various additions and alterations being made over the years. The current house was created between 1834 and 1855. The estate remained in the family until the death of Henry John Ralph Bankes. Upon his death in 1982 the estate was donated to the National Trust. The Bankes family originally lived at Corfe Castle… Read More »December Calendar Day 4 (12 Day: 2): Inspiration & Reveal

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens are situated in a sheltered valley on the east coast of Dorset, between Weymouth and Bridport, and leading to Chesil Beach. The microclimate of the area means delicate plants which usually require greenhouses to grow in England can be grown outside. The gardens have gone through many evolutions, the most recent beginning in 1990 after the great storm of 1987 destroyed many of the plant specimens. They are now known worldwide for their magnolias… Read More »December Calendar Day 3: Inspiration & Reveal

Bournemouth Gardens Bournemouth is the largest town in Dorset. It is situated on the South East coast. Bournemouth Gardens cover a wide area from Bournemouth Pier towards Poole. Created in the nineteenth century and now Grade II listed, they follow the River Bourne and contain many significant landmarks such as the Town Hall and the Pavilion Theatre. While there are many interesting features contained within Bournemouth Gardens, the colour which inspired me for today’s yarn came from Bournemouth Aviary, located… Read More »December Calendar Day 2 (12 Day: 1): Inspiration & Reveal

Tyneham Tyneham is a small village in the south of Dorset which was abandoned in 1943. It was requisitioned by the by the War Office for use as firing ranges for training, and all residents given 28 days to leave. The village was supposed to be returned at the end of World War 2 but has remained in use ever since for military training. Tyneham, and the nearby coastline at Worbarrow Bay, is now only accessible when the Lulworth Ranges… Read More »December Calendar Day 1: Inspiration & Reveal