Charlton Down
{{Short description|Village in Dorset, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
| static_image_name = Cypress Road, Charlton Down - geograph.org.uk - 545462.jpg
| static_image_caption = Charlton Down
| official_name = Charlton Down
| country = England
| region = South West England
| os_grid_reference = SY679948
| coordinates = {{coord|50.7522|-2.4563|display=inline,title}}
| population = 1,459
| civil_parish = Charminster
| unitary_england = Dorset
| lieutenancy_england = Dorset
| constituency_westminster = West Dorset
| post_town =
| postcode_district =
| postcode_area = DT
| dial_code = 01305
| london_distance =
| website =
}}
Charlton Down is a new village in Dorset, England, situated approximately {{convert|4|mi|km}} north of the county town Dorchester. It lies within the civil parish of Charminster.
History
The village of Charlton Down developed from the site of the old Dorset County Asylum. In 1920 it became the Dorset County Mental Hospital, and in 1940 was renamed Herrison Hospital.{{cite web|url=https://www.countyasylums.co.uk/herrison-dorchester/|title=Herrison Hospital|publisher=County Asylums|accessdate=13 April 2019}} The hospital closed in 1992 and three of the larger buildings — Redwood (built in 1863), Greenwood (1896) and Herrison House (1904) — have been converted into apartments.
Facilities
Cottage style terrace houses, semi-detached and detached 3, 4, and 5 bed roomed house with all modern services fill the old site. The original cricket ground has a new pavilion and there is a thriving cricket club in the summer{{Cite web |title=Charlton Down CC |url=https://charltondown.play-cricket.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928212945/https://charltondown.play-cricket.com/ |archive-date=2022-09-28 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=charltondown.play-cricket.com}} with one large and one small park serving to the village {{cite web |title=Charlton Down Play Areas – Charminster Parish Council |url=https://www.charminster.info/charlton-down-play-areas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928212900/https://www.charminster.info/charlton-down-play-areas/ |archive-date=2022-09-28 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=Charlton down parish council}}{{cite web |last=Hogger |first=Harry |date=2012-11-15 |title=Paralympian medallist opens Olympic Park |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/10049443.paralympian-medallist-opens-olympic-park/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928212705/https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/10049443.paralympian-medallist-opens-olympic-park/ |archive-date=2022-09-28 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=dorsetecho}} the village has a shop which contains a post office {{cite web |date= |title=Branch Finder | Post Office |url=https://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder/3375188/charlton-down |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928212332/https://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder/3375188/charlton-down |archive-date=2022-09-28 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=www.postoffice.co.uk}} and a cash dispensary. It is one of the few in the area without a church or pub. The village hall is used regularly for various social events.{{Cite web |title=Charlton Down Village Hall |url=https://www.charltondownvillagehall.info/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |language=en-GB}}
Toponymy
After the closure of Herrison Hospital in 1991 the area became known as charlton down. The new name of Charlton Down was chosen to honour a medieval epithet for the hill on which it was built.{{Cite web |title=Charlton down or charminster herrison area appraisal |url=https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/documents/35024/288481/Charlton+Down+Conservation+Area+Appraisal.pdf/49270715-bb06-7528-334c-43d5e62f6237 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928201619/https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/documents/35024/288481/Charlton+Down+Conservation+Area+Appraisal.pdf/49270715-bb06-7528-334c-43d5e62f6237 |archive-date=2022-09-28 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=Dorsetcouncil.gov.uk}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.charltondownvillagehall.info Charlton Down village Hall]
- [https://charltondown.play-cricket.com/ Charlton Down Cricket Club]
{{Dorset}}
{{authority control}}