Tolpuddle

Tolpuddle is a small village in the southern English county of Dorset, situated in the Piddle valley, eight miles east of Dorchester and 12 miles west of Poole. The village has a population of 331 (2001).

In 1999 the A35 trunk road, which cuts through south Dorset, was moved to bypass the village.

The village is famous as the home of the Tolpuddle Martyrs who were transported to Australia after they formed a trade union in 1833. A row of cottages, housing agricultural workers and a museum, and a row of seated statues commemorate the martyrs. The annual Tolpuddle Martyrs festival is held in the village in the third weekend of July. grid reference SY792944