Wareham: River Piddle, North Mill and North Walls

Wareham's rivers

To the south of the town runs the Frome, to its north is the Piddle, this name being perhaps a comment on the fact that it produces a lower volume of water. In the names of most of the villages along this river, the piddle becomes a more respectable puddle, e g in Tolpuddle or Puddletown. However, it should be noted that the change of vowel is a modern one.

Just to add to the confusion, the river can also be called the Trent... and both names can even appear in conjunction, as in the village of Piddletrenthide.


Wareham's north mill

There was a working mill here for seven or eight centuries before it became redundant late in the 19th century. This incarnation was built in about the year 1700.


Wareham's walls

The town's walls are believed to have been constructed in the ninth century under King Alfred, as a defence against the Danes. They are massive earth ramparts, which protect the west, north and east of the town. None was created to the south, which was considered to be sufficiently protected by the river Frome.