Experience a
critic-led tour
of Poundbury —
a traditional-style
Urban extension
in Dorset

Join Open City for a day-long visit to Poundbury on Saturday 7 June – in the company of architectural historians and critics – exploring the unique residential development of Poundbury, an urban extension to the Dorset county town of Dorchester

Epicentre of housing's culture war or a force for higher quality new homes in southwest England? Poundbury is a multi-decade ongoing development built on Duchy of Cornwall land in accordance with the principles of architecture and urban planning as advocated by King Charles III in his 1989 book ‘A Vision of Britain’.

Poundbury was envisaged as an integrated rather than zoned development, consciously designed to challenge a number of the town planning trends and policies of the late 20th century.

Featuring historically-inspired buildings by Leon Krier, Ben Pentreath, ADAM Architecture, Calderpeel and others – Poundbury set out to counter the growing trend of isolated housing estates and shopping centres far from places of work and leisure, forcing ever greater reliance on the car.

Critically evaluating the successes and shortcomings of Poundbury at a moment when the UK faces an intense need for ambitious new live and work settlements day will include:

• Tour of Poundbury with architectural historian Matthew Lloyd Roberts

• Group discussion over lunch

• Walking tour crit focussing on placemaking and sustainable urbanism with guest speaker Ross Sharpe of Cirencester-based Yiangou Architects and Hilary Satchwell, founder director of Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design

• This event is open to everyone with an interest in exploring new housing.

Key Information

Meet: 11.30am Café Octagon, 4 Pummery Square, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3GW

Cost: £65 - £125. Ticket prices include lunch at a pub

Duration: 5 hours

Tour walking distance: Approx 4.4 miles including walk to and from Dorchester South station.

* If travelling from London by train we suggest the 08.35am train from London Waterloo arriving Dorchester South 11am, returning to Waterloo on the 17.13pm train arriving at 19.51pm*

We aim to be inclusive and accessible where possible, please contact Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk to discuss your accessibility needs, reduced ticket prices and if you require a free carer ticket. 

Aerial view of Poundbury