The Tarrants named after the Tarrant River.

Tarrant Hinton Tarrant Hinton is a village in north Dorset, England, situated in the Tarrant Valley five miles north-east of Blandford Forum. The village has a population of 195 (2001).   The village no longer has a pub, shop or post office, but it has a church and a village hall which are used by an active community.   The name 'Tarrant Hinton' is well-known as the exact location of the Great Dorset Steam Fair, which is annually visited by some 200,000 people.  

Tarrant Gunville is a village in north Dorset, England, situated at the head of the Tarrant Valley on Cranborne Chase five miles north east of Blandford Forum. The village has a population of 236 (2001) In 1710 Thomas Archer was commissioned to build the existing Chettle House. The house has no corners, all corners are rounded in common with the Archer style similar to those at the Church in Smith Square in London.

Tarrant Launceston is a village in north Dorset, England, situated in the Tarrant Valley five miles north east of Blandford Forum. The village has a population of 414 (2001).

Tarrant Monkton is a village in north Dorset, England, situated in the Tarrant Valley five miles east of Blandford Forum. The village has a population of 2,370 (2001).

Tarrant Rushton is a village in north Dorset, England, situated in the Tarrant Valley five miles east of Blandford Forum. The village has a population of 105 (2001).   Tarrant Kayneston is a village in north Dorset, England, situated in the Tarrant Valley five miles south east of Blandford Forum. The village has a population of 296 (2001).

Tarrant Crawford is a small village at the end of the Tarrant Valley It is mainly a farm with a few houses. OS maps show it at the position of Tarrant Abbey, an even smaller village with only three houses. Although still part of the farm, it is referred to by the locals as a separate village. It is famous for its cross that reads -   "THIS WAYSIDE CROSS WAS RESTORED & SET ON NEW STEPS ON THE OLD SITE BY MANY FRIENDS OF TARRANT CRAWFORD ANNO DOM MDCCCCXIV"   In medieval times Tarrant Abbey Farm was the site of one of the richest Cistercian nunneries in England which was founded in the 12th century by Ralph de Kahaines (of nearby Tarrant Keyneston).   Two famous people are associated with the abbey. The first is Queen Joan, the wife of Alexander II of Scotland and daughter of King John of England (Richard I's brother and successor) who is buried in the grave yard (supposedly in a golden coffin). The second is Bishop Richard Poore, builder of Salisbury Cathedral, who was baptised in the abbey church and later (in 1237) buried in the abbey, which he founded. He was at one time Dean of the old cathedral at Old Sarum, and later became bishop of first Chichester, then Salisbury and finally Durham.   St Mary's Church, near Tarrant Abbey Farm, is known for its 13th and 14th century wall paintings, many of which are in a remarkable state of preservation.

Our View.

The countryside along the Tarrant Valley is spectacular and rich in history. The Cranborne chase once the hunting place of medieval Kings stretches before you on the B3081 south of the A354. The Manor house at Cranborne is witness to the importance of hunting on the Chase and was visited by Henry VIII. The views are fantastic and feature on our tour of this area of Dorset.

The villages vary in size and the property that does come on the market does seem to sell very quickly. Some are not supported by local shopping and other amenities and you would need to travel to Blandford, Wimborne, Shaftesbury or Salisbury.

There are plenty of local walks among the ancient hills and burial mounds, you can still pick up ancient worked flints in the local fields.