Overview of Bridport

Bridport is a market town in Dorset, England. Located near the coast at the western end of Chesil Beach at the confluence of the River Brit and its Asker and Simene tributaries, it originally thrived as a fishing port and rope-making centre (the hangman's rope being made at Bridport gave birth to the saying "stabbed with a Bridport dagger"). The port is no longer in existence although the harbour at West Bay is a mile away. In 2006 West Dorset district was named 10th best place to live in the UK. The town is twinned with Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, France. According to the 2001 Census, the population of Bridport stands at 12,977. One and a half miles from the town centre and within the town's boundary lies West Bay, a small fishing harbour known as Bridport Harbour until the arrival of the railway. At that time it was "rebranded" to its current name to make it sound more attractive. West Bay was also the scene for the opening shot of The Life and Times of Reginald Perrin and the 1950s film of The Navy Lark was also shot there. Bridport has been subject of articles where it was nicknamed "Notting Hill on Sea" but is also known to locals as "Bridders". The town attracts a large numbers of second home owners.