Charminster is a small village and civil parish in Dorset, England, lying a few miles north‑east of Dorchester in the gentle valley of the River Frome. It sits where rolling farmland meets the chalk downs, making it popular with walkers and those wanting easy access to the county town and the wider Dorset countryside.
Historically an agricultural community, the village today mixes traditional cottages and farmsteads with more recent housing and a commuter population that works in nearby towns. Local life revolves around village amenities such as the pub, village hall and small shops, and there is a lively calendar of community events that gives Charminster a strong local identity despite its proximity to larger centres.
Postcode districts covering Charminster
Most populated places nearby
- Poole 21.6 miles
- Weymouth 8.5 miles
- Yeovil 15.8 miles
- Ferndown 24.5 miles
- Ferndown Town 24.5 miles
- Dorchester 2.6 miles
- Bridport 13.1 miles
- Chard 23.6 miles
- Chard Town 23.3 miles
- Portland 13.6 miles
- Blandford Forum 15.1 miles
- Swanage 23.4 miles
Neighbouring places
- Charlton Down Built-up area 0.4 miles
- Charminster St. Mary's Ward 0.6 miles
- Charminster Built-up area 0.7 miles
- Stratton Parish 1.7 miles
- Bradford Peverell Parish 1.9 miles
- Godmanstone Parish 1.9 miles
- Stinsford Parish 2.3 miles
- Dorchester Poundbury Ward 2.4 miles
- Dorchester West Ward 2.6 miles
- Dorchester Built-up area 2.6 miles
- Nether Cerne Parish 2.9 miles
- Dorchester East Ward 2.9 miles
Example postcodes in Charminster
DT2 9QZ, DT2 9FF, DT2 9UB, DT2 9QD, DT2 9UF, DT2 9UY, DT2 7SQ, DT2 9QJ, DT2 9FJ … See all
Transport links
- Bournemouth Airport 27 miles
- Exeter International Airport 41.8 miles
- Dorchester West Railway Station 2.6 miles
- Dorchester South Railway Station 2.8 miles
Hotels near Charminster Ad
- The Duchess of Cornwall 4 2.2 miles
- Greyhound Inn 4.4 miles
- Sleeping Bear Hotels Dorchester 3 2.3 miles
- The Brewers Arms 3 3.9 miles
- Premier Inn Dorchester 3 2.6 miles
- The Brace of Pheasants 4 5.4 miles
- The New Inn 4.3 miles
- New Inn Dorchester 3 5.3 miles
- The Junction Hotel 3 2.6 miles
- The Poachers Inn 4 4 miles
Schools in Charminster
- St Mary's C of E First School, Charminster Primary
Local points of interest
- Poundbury Camp Historic site 2.1 miles
- Chesil Beach Beach 9.2 miles
- Weymouth Harbour Harbour 9.6 miles
- Portland Harbour Harbour 11.3 miles
- Bindon Abbey Historic site 11.8 miles
- Man O'War Beach Beach 11.9 miles
- Bindon Abbey Estate 12.1 miles
- Portland Marina Marina 12.2 miles
- Little Bindon Abbey Historic site 13 miles
- Lulworth Abbey Historic site 14 miles
- Tarrant Abbey Historic site 16.2 miles
- Purbeck Hills Hill 16.9 miles