Tolpuddle

{{Short description|Village in Dorset, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox UK place

|static_image_name = The Church of St John the Evangelist, Tolpuddle - geograph.org.uk - 1592503.jpg

|static_image_caption = Parish Church of St John the Evangelist

|country = England

|official_name = Tolpuddle

|coordinates = {{coord|50.7495|-2.2962|display=inline,title}}

|map_type = Dorset

|population = 420

|population_ref = (2023 estimate) {{cite web|url=https://www.dorsetforyou.com/344882|title=Parish Population Data|date=20 January 2015|publisher=Dorset County Council|accessdate=11 March 2015}}

|civil_parish = Burleston and Tolpuddle

| unitary_england= Dorset

| lieutenancy_england= Dorset

|region = South West England

|post_town = Dorchester

|postcode_area = DT

|postcode_district = DT2

|constituency_westminster = North Dorset

|os_grid_reference = SY792944

}}

Tolpuddle ({{IPAc-en|pron|ˈ|t|ɒ|l|p|ʌ|d|əl}}) is a village in the civil parish of Burleston and Tolpuddle, in Dorset, England, on the River Piddle from which it takes its name, {{convert|8|mi|km}} east of Dorchester, the county town, and {{convert|12|mi|km}} west of Poole. The estimated population of the parish in 2013 was 420.

The village is well known as the home of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, six men who were sentenced to be transported to Australia after they formed a friendly society in 1833. A row of cottages, housing agricultural workers and a museum, and a row of seated statues commemorate the martyrs. The annual Tolpuddle Martyrs festival is held in the village on the third weekend of July. An ancient sycamore tree on the village green, known as the Martyrs' Tree, is said to be the place where the Martyrs swore their oath. It is cared for by the National Trust.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-29948177 |title=Tolpuddle Martyrs village tree pruning carried out |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date=7 November 2014 |website=news.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=27 November 2014 }}

The Martyrs Inn public house is owned by nearby Athelhampton House, a Tudor house open to the public approximately {{convert|1|mi|km}} to the west.

St John the Evangelist's Parish Church dates from the 13th century.{{cite book|title=West Dorset Holiday and Tourist Guide|publisher=West Dorset District Council|date=c. 1983|page=21}}

In 1999, the A35 trunk road through south Dorset, was moved to bypass both Tolpuddle and nearby Puddletown.{{cite web|title=A30 Exeter to Bere Regis|url=http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/3505.aspx|publisher=Highways Agency|access-date=7 January 2013|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120810121037/http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/3505.aspx|archive-date=10 August 2012}}

File:The Green at Tolpuddle - geograph.org.uk - 1592486.jpg agreed to form a trade union]]