Jane's Midlife Journey

The tiny Dorset village of Tolpuddle, with its quaint cottages running along the banks of the River Piddle has one particular claim to fame. Back in 1834, it is here that six farm workers, who became known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs, formed a union in an attempt to protect their wages. This small protest and its subsequent hugely disproportionate punishment laid the foundations of the British trade union movement.

The Tolpuddle Martyrs

The six aforementioned workers were concerned about their decreasing wages, so they formed a trade union to seek guarantees that their wages wouldn’t be cut further. Prospective members were asked to swear an oath and pay a fee to join the union.

Although forming a union wasn’t illegal, the authorities were concerned by the group’s burgeoning popularity and wanted to break it up. So, in 1834, the group’s leaders were charged with swearing a secret oath, which was illegal. The leaders were put on trial in nearby Dorchester, found guilty and received the maximum punishment for their crime: Seven years transportation to Australia.

The public were outraged by this sentence. A petition in favour of the men gained 200,000 signatures and there were several demonstrations and protests about their treatment which drew large crowds. In 1836, the Tolpuddle Martyrs were pardoned and permitted to return home. The following year, all six men returned to Tolpuddle.

This now quiet little village houses a museum telling the Martyrs’ story (as well as a pub bearing their name) and makes for a pleasant day out.

How to get to Tolpuddle

Tolpuddle, situated in central Dorset, is 20 miles west of Bournemouth along the A35.

The village isn’t blessed with good public transport links. The nearest station is at Moreton, 3 miles away. On week days the CR9 bus, which runs between Dorchester and Blandford, stops at Tolpuddle 4 times a day.

Parking

There is free parking at the museum.

Getting around Tolpuddle

The village is best explored on foot. The out and back Village Trail is just over a mile long.

Tolpuddle in 1 Day Itinerary

1	Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
2	Martyrs’ Sculpture
3	Village Trail
4	The Martyrs Inn
5	Old Chapel
6	Methodist Chapel
7	Martyrs Tree
8	St John’s Church

Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

The focus of a trip to Tolpuddle is inevitably the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum. Here, you can learn all about the history of the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ arrest, trial and punishment: And see how these events were the forerunner to the modern trade union movement.

In 1934, the TUC (Trades Union Congress) built 6 houses – the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Memorial Cottages – to mark the centenary of the Martyrs’ conviction. The library, initially meant for use by the cottages’ residents, morphed into a depository for various artefacts relating to the history of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, which in turn evolved into the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Museum. The museum also has a nice little gift shop with a wide range of items relating to the Martyrs, trade unions, universal suffrage etc.

Museum opening times are seasonal. Details can be found here. Entry is free.

Martyrs’ Sculpture

In 2000, the TUC organised a competition to design a new sculpture for the museum. The winning design depicts when George Loveless was in Dorchester Prison, so ill that his warders feared for his life if he were to be transported. So, he was held behind for a few weeks to recover whilst his five fellow Martyrs were shipped to Australia. The Martyrs’ Sculpture, which is made from local Portland stone, is designed so that visitors can sit alongside George.

Village Trail

You can follow the dramatic events that unfolded in the village through the Village Trail. Pick up a leaflet from the museum shop. Alternatively, you can download an App or hire a device to play the audio-visual guide as you walk around the village. The out and back trail is just over a mile long.

The Martyrs Inn

The village pub is aptly named The Martyrs Inn. You can break your wander through the village for refreshments and even a Martyrs Burger – the same as a normal burger, but with the word Martyrs at the beginning.

Old Chapel

George Loveless, leader of the Martyrs, was a lay preacher at the Old Chapel, which was used by the Martyrs. The chapel, which dates from 1818, still stands, although it has not functioned as a chapel since 1844, when the lease expired.

Note: Since this photo was taken, the Old Chapel has been renovated and now serves as a community centre.

Methodist Chapel

At the eastern end of the village, you can find the current Methodist Chapel, which was built in 1862. In front of the building stands a Memorial Arch, which was erected in honour of the Martyrs.

Martyrs Tree

It was under a sycamore tree on the Village Green, that the six farm labourers met to form a union. That old tree, now owned by the National Trust and referred to as the Martyrs Tree, still stands. It is believed to be around 340 years old.

There is a thatched shelter next to the tree, which acts as both a memorial and a place to sit and reflect.

St John’s Church

The grave of James Hammett, one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs lies in the graveyard of St John’s Church.

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival

Every July, thousands of people come to Tolpuddle to celebrate trade unionism and to remember the sacrifice made by the six farm workers. The Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival features a weekend of music, comedy, discussion, theatre, speakers and kids’ activities. Entry is free on Sunday, which includes the popular banner march through the village.

• Updated: February 2026