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| Tolpuddle Old Chapel, built in 1818, is the first material trace of the men who were later known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Built by the Standfield and Loveless families and a group of Dorset Methodists, and restored recently by the Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust, the building is one of only two cob-built Methodist Chapels known to be still standing in the UK. For the 2026 Tolpuddle Festival, we have produced an exhibition around the theme of Methodist persecution to commemorate the inaugural service opening of the Chapel in October 1818, at which the congregation and the minister’s party were attacked by a vicious reactionary mob intent on trying to repress the spread on Methodism which was seen as a serious threat to the status quo. The exhibition will also include the working context of the families, and a full scale replica of the 1818 Deeds complete with the signatures of the Trustees, including that of George Loveless, the leader of the Martyrs. The story of the Martyrs, and the terrible prejudices which they fought to overcome starts here, right at the centre of the village. All festival-goers are welcome to visit the exhibition which will be open from 10am until 4pm, Friday 17th until Sunday 19th inclusive. There is no charge for entry, but donations will be welcome from those who can afford to help us maintain this wonderful edifice built by the working people of the village, against all the odds.On the evening of Saturday 18th July at 7pm, Professor Philip Martin, volunteer at the Trust and former Chair, will give a talk at the Old Chapel entitled ‘The Persecution of Methodist Radicalism and Tolpuddle Old Chapel: a story of the Little People against the Great.’ This is a ticketed event, £5 per ticket. Please book through the Old Chapel website at https://tolpuddleoldchapeltrust.org/ or enquire at the Chapel. All proceeds go directly to the maintenance of the Chapel.
Tolpuddle Old Chapel (to avoid confusion with the ‘new’ 1862 Chapel) is at the centre of the village, around a hundred yards east of the Martyrs’ Inn. On Saturday 18th July The Tillbrook Troubadour Trio will be playing tunes from The Thomas Hardy Family Music Collection at the following times and venues:
And on Sunday 19th July at 10am, the Tillbrook Troubadour Duo will be playing English folk tunes outside Tolpuddle Old Chapel |
For more information, please visit the Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust website.