Blandford Forum

Blandford Forum
Market Place, in the town centre
Blandford Forum
Location within Dorset
Population10,355 (2021 Census)
OS grid referenceST886069
 London101 mi (163 km) NE
Civil parish
  • Blandford Forum
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townBLANDFORD FORUM
Postcode districtDT11
Dialling code01258
PoliceDorset
FireDorset and Wiltshire
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament

Blandford Forum (/ˈblænfərd/ BLAN-fərd) is a market town in Dorset, England, on the River Stour, 13 miles (21 km) north-west of Poole. It had a population of 10,355 at the 2021 census.

The town is notable for its Georgian architecture, the result of rebuilding after a major fire in 1731; it was assisted by an Act of Parliament and a donation by George II, to designs by local architects John and William Bastard.

The town's economy is based on a mix of the service sector and light industry. Blandford Camp, a military base, is on the hills two mi (three km) north-east of the town. It is the base of the Royal Corps of Signals, the communications wing of the British Army, and the site of the Royal Signals Museum.