Pictures of Broadwindsor

About Broadwindsor

Broadwindsor is a sleepy picturesque village in the countryside of West Dorset, 2 miles west of the pretty town of Beaminster, and was once a hiding place for King Charles II as he fled Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentary troops in 1651.

Another famous connection with the village is that of the churchman and historian Thomas Fuller (1608 -1661) who was a preacher at Broadwindsor and was known to have a great sense of humour, often having his congregation roaring with laughter during his sermons, which was rare in those times.
Fuller wrote The Worthies of England and The History of the Holy Warre, and he preached at Broadwindsor between 1634 and 1650.

As for King Charles II, it was the night of 23 September 1651 when Charles was sheltering in the village after fleeing Parliamentary troops after the Battle of Worcester. He was staying at the Castle Inn when enemy troops arrived, demanded accommodation and began a search for the fugitive King. However, luckily for Charles one of the camp followers began to give birth, giving Charles an opportunity to flee, which he did disguised as a maid.

There is a plaque on one of the buildings in the village identifying it as where the King stayed.

Interesting & Historical Facts about Broadwindsor

King Charles II stayed 2 nights at Broadwindsor, Dorset after fleeing from Cromwell's troops after the Battle of Worcester. However, Parliamentarian troops turned up in the village, demanded accommodation and started looking for the King. Luckily for Charles, one of the women of the enemy camp went into labour, which gave him a chance to flee, which he did dressed as a woman.

Broadwindsor facts | Dorset facts