From Stourhead to Hengistbury Head, the river flows for over 61 miles through the heart of Dorset. The names derives from the Old English meaning ‘Strong One’, providing Dorset with the lifeblood that led to its development in the form of food, water, transportation, communication and defence. Explore the landscape, all along its course, crossing ancient bridges, passing ruined mills and finding a few secret swimming spots.
Click on names for details and routes.
Stourhead
From the steep slopes and waterways that split Somerset and Wiltshire explore the forests of Stourhead. Find Jack’s Castle, used as a beacon site to call troops, and discover King Alfred’s Tower, its peak visible for miles around. Venture deep into the ancient Selwood Forest, haunted by forces that could steer you off your path. Weave between the trees and dip into the valleys of small tributaries of the Stour to climb up to one of two hidden Iron Age hillforts. Skim the mighty earthworks to descend to Six Wells Bottom, the springs included in the Stourton Family Crest. Climb up to Peter’s Pump, an installation that was once critical to Bristol’s water supply, to return to Tower Road and the path of the Harrow Way, one of the oldest routes in the country.
Bourton & Silton
Starting in the small hamlet of Silton, hidden in the northern corner of the Blackmore Vale, follow the medieval roads through the landscape to Bourton. Join the little River Stour and follow it up stream to the remains of a bustling industry that kept the village alive. Skim the three corners of Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset, marked by an ancient stone, placed there by King Alfred’s grandfather, Egbert of Wiltshire. Return via the tracks that have been sliced apart by the A303 and into the old estate of Silton, linked to the famous drink of Babycham. Pass more evidence of long gone industry to arrive at Wyndham’s great oak, standing for 1000 years. Its name derived from a notary character whose remains outweigh his own manor house.
Milton On Stour
Wander between the watery paths of the Stour, Slod and Shreen. Skim a spiritual barrow dating back to the Neolithic, later used to bury the dead from battles with Vikings. Explore the village of Milton on Stour with medieval links to King Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Climb up the hill to Pierston Farm, originally its own hamlet, but its chapel has been lost in the landscape. Venture down the hidden back lanes of the village, past old manors and new ones to replace them, to the fields and farms of the Upper Stour Valley, all with views into Wiltshire. Return via a colourful church and an old mill, once painted by John Constable, to pass the eco-friendly Neal’s Yard and its garden full of natural ingredients.
Madjeston
From the unassuming town of Gillingham, where Kings hunted their precious deer and artists painted the countryside, explore the landscape trapped between three rivers. Wander the last few fields before they are encased in development, crossing a brand new road. Skim the edge of the Royal Forest, over medieval trackways, to the hamlet of Madjeston, its manor house towering over the crumbling walled garden. Pass the confluence of the River Stour and Lodden before meeting the railway which encouraged the town’s growth and saved many lives during the Second World War. Finish the walk by exploring the little lakes of the town, hidden behind the sprouting residential estates.
Wyke & Eccliffe
Starting at Wyke’s old brewery, its coach house, pound and pub cut across the landscape, over the railway to reach the River Stour. Find the heart, etched into the stone on Eccliffe Bridge, the mill and river once inspiring John Constable. Discover impressive manors, medieval halls and houses fit for a Queen, with tales of tragedy, hospitality, racing and meditation. Follow the river downstream to reach the towering viaduct, its arches stepping high up over the country lane. Enter into the wilder landscape around Muddock’s Copse to return to Wyke using the old country lanes. Pass Stock Hill, sitting opposite its thatched chapel in memory of those lost during WW1. Walk under the watchful eye of the eagles, which sit on the entrance posts to Wyke Hall, before arriving back at The Buffalo, named after Wyke Brewery’s very own trademark.
West Stour
Follow the flow of the River Stour across Thomas Hardy’s valley of the little dairies. Explore the remains of an ancient country house and the scattered ruins of mills that traced the river’s path. Wander across the flood plains through the woodland and over the little bridges linking the villages and hamlets.
King’s Mill
From Thomas Hardy’s village of Marlott, wander the old tracks once trodden by Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Pass her childhood cottage and drift into open fields, past a weathered stone quarry and an avenue of trees near the site of a Roman temple. Follow the sunken path of Leigh Lane as it drops into the valley of the River Stour, where the ruins of Cutt Mill crumble beside the water. Trace the river upstream to the lovingly restored Kings Mill and the vital 19th-century stone bridge that spans the flow. Climb back up the valley to return to Marnhull, weaving between tranquil ponds and handsome listed buildings.
Rolls Mill
From the River Stour, enter the landscape of its tributaries. Climb to Sturminster Castle, a ruin that evolved from an Iron Age hillfort into a medieval manor house. Follow old drove roads with wide views across the Blackmore Vale to Duncliffe, before descending to the River Divelish, passing areas of modern development. Trace the Divelish to the old Rolls Mill and the bridge that once formed part of a turnpike road. Continue along the meandering watercourse towards Bagber to join the old Stalbridge Road. Return along the banks of the Stour to Sturminster Mill and the crucial historic crossing point at the bridge.
The Swan
From the Swan Inn wander through the town and down to the River Stour. Cross the water via Colber Bridge, a Victorian remnant of earlier life, to meet another old bridge that once carried the trains from Bath to Bournemouth. Explore the landscape of two Dorset Poets – William Barnes and Thomas Hardy. Both characters favouring this little section of the Stour Valley and featuring strongly in their work. Return to Sturminster via the crumbling Cutt Mill, with views down the river to Bulbarrow Hill.
The Bull
Starting at The Bull Inn, make your way up the hill to skim Sturminster Newton Castle, its ruins said to hide a wealth of treasure. Make your way to Piddles Wood with views across the Vale to then be blocked by the towering trees. Tread through the woodland down the steep hill to Fiddleford, its Manor House being one of the oldest in Dorset. Cross the River Stour to the old railway, following the long gone tracks back into town. Return to The Bull by winding through the old streets of Sturminster Newton and across the medieval bridge.
North Dorset Trailway
Originally part of the Somerset and Dorset Railway line, the trailway stretches from Sturminster Newton to Blandford Forum. It traces the majority of the old railway line, with only a few diversions, due to modern development.
Hammoon & Child Okeford
Follow the River Stour as it meanders through the valley under the shadow of Hambledon Hill. Visit an island nature reserve, with the river lapping at its banks and otters splashing in the water, before arriving at the old Somerset and Dorset railway line. Cross fields and farms to the secret village of Hammoon, hidden from the world and often cut off by floods, with a thatched manor house, Victorian hunting lodge and little church that harbours a legend dating back to the Battle of Agincourt. Return along the river banks, with Hambledon sitting on the horizon, back into Child Okeford to The Baker Arms and stone cross, standing on a spiritual ley line.
The Crown
From the centre of Blandford, travel by foot, wheel or hoof over the meadows and out of town. Cross over the old railway and up the hill, where many Roman treasures have been discovered. Make your way through the ancient landscape of Little Down, skimming the estate of Inside Park, its manor having burnt to the ground. Travel along the humble track of Lady Caroline’s Drive to reach the peak of the hill. Return to Blandford via the woods and chalkland landscape, looking down upon the town.
Charlton Marshall
Venture up into the high chalk hills and wide open landscape of the Stour Valley. Starting at The Charlton Inn, dip under a railway bridge and weave between fields, farms and forests with views across the landscape to large country estates. Trace the footsteps of ancient people as they travelled between giant monuments, now just fading earthworks and holloways. Return to the valley to follow the River Stour past an Irish bolt hole where plans were put in motion to blow up Blandford Camp. Discover the ancient ford, trumped by stone bridges, and return on the old dismantled railway, lined by apples trees which have grown from strewn cores out of passing train windows
Spetisbury
Starting at the dismantled old railway and remains of the station of Spetisbury, head to Crawford Castle, an Iron Age hillfort. Cross the River Stour, using one of the oldest bridges in the county, into the Tarrant Valley. Discover the isolated St Mary’s Church, where a Queen was buried and the walls are still painted with frescos. Continue to Keyneston Mill, which features a botanical garden and café using local flora, before returning over the flood plains of Stour.
Shapwick
From the red brick cottages and thatched roofs of Shapwick, complete with tales of strange creatures and floating coffins, follow the meandering River Stour to one of the oldest bridges in the county. Trace the route of pilgrims to skim the remains of one of the richest nunneries in England. Climb up into the Iron Age and Roman landscape of Badbury Rings and Vindocladia, the Roman town once in competition with Durnovaria, Dorchester’s ancestor, but has since disappeared under the soil. Return to the village and back to the Saxon cross, topped with later memorials, which appeared in the background of a 1980s Doctor Who episode.
Sturminster Marshall
From White Mill, sitting on the River Stour, and the medieval bridge of the same name, discover the old railway cutting through the floodplains. Walk through the forested park of Henbury, the land developed into the modern age. Meet the boundary of Charborough Park, one of the largest private estates in the county, its 120ft folly peeking through the trees, and its dubious history mixing slavery and extravagance. Drop back down into the valley via the village of Sturminster Marshall, The Rose and Crown pub nestled opposite the church. Return to the river where the mysterious bells of Knowlton church are said to lie, immersed within the river bed.
Pamphill
Nestled in the low valley of the Stour, hidden behind the large estate of Kingston Lacy and neighboured by the conurbation of Wimborne, Pamphill is a little gem, glistening along with the water. Buried in woodland with a 17th century manor house and fed by a small local farm shop, its history was endorsed by the Roman arrival and the river crossing they used here between Badbury Rings and Poole Harbour. Taking advantage of National Trust permissive paths, traveling along ancient Holloways, leading to many other long gone river crossings, the route highlights a few perfect spots for elusive wildlife and for dipping toes in the water!
Wimborne
Explore the historically rich landscape split by two rivers and conquered by Iron Age tribes, the Romans and Wessex Kings. From the River Stour’s shoreline at Eye Bridge, follow the water downstream to the shallow ford that was topped by Julian’s Bridge. Wonder through the medieval town of Wimborne to its Saxon Minster, complete with astronomical clock, Roman pavements and a chained library. Re-join the Stour, crossing at Canford Bridge, to the lodge that stands at the entrance to Canford Manor. Weave between new residential estates onto old roads, trumped by the bypass, to return over the site of Lake Farm, one of the largest Roman forts of its time.
Lady Wimborne
From a large country estate with tales of murder and mystery, follow the old driveway to discover a forgotten but elaborate, stone bridge. Built by the Lord of the Manor’s mother to impress arriving guests and hide the newly developed yet invasive railway line, it is now left abandoned in woodland. With the tracks now gone, trace the route to the river banks of the River Stour. Curve with the meandering course to return to Canford Manor, passing under modern day graffiti covered road bridges and a Victorian suspension bridge, wobbling over gushing water, requiring worried dogs to be carried!
Throop
As the wide and fast flowing River Stour enters the conurbation of Bournemouth it winds its way through Throop. Pass the village’s ruined mill still standing on the river banks, apparently haunted by children lost to the water. Cross the mill stream using its iron sluice gates, holding back the flow from the giant mill pond. Join the old cart road to reach Pansy’s Bathing Place and the ford that crossed the Leaden Stour. Skim the edge of the growing Bournemouth Airport and the fading Alice in Wonderland Adventure Park to return to the river. Follow the meandering course of the Stour back to a gushing weir and the crumbling Throop Mill.
Iford
Starting in Holdenhurst, a village both locked and lost behind urban development, follow the River Stour towards Throop. Weave between cottages, gas lamps and modern day flats for the peace to be disturbed by Bournemouth’s busy trunk road. Return to the Stour to follow its flow to the medieval bridge of Iford. Cross over the water, broken by a little island, where elephants would play, crocodiles swam and a monkey caused mischief. Wander through Iford Golf Course, over a little footbridge and past a gushing weir, to arrive back at Holdenhurst on its dead end road.
Christchurch
Explore Christchurch with a history much deeper than its surrounding harbour waters. Find the Priory, its location selected by a divine being and the wood carved by Jesus himself. Wander the ruins of the castle and the Norman Hall, the medieval hotel for royalty, with its toilet hanging over the little mill stream. Discover secret hiding spots and sites of battles involving well skilled smugglers, their accumulated wealth given back to the town. Venture over the wild marshes to Grimbury Beach, with views to the hill fort of Hengistbury Head and over the Stour and Avon rivers to the Priory, and return following the little mill stream.
Hengistbury Head
Travel through the vastness of time along the sandy coast of Hengistbury Head. Once a bustling settlement during the Stone Age, Iron Age and Roman period it became an important gateway into the rest of the country, but is now a peaceful nature reserve. Stroll along the beach with views across the sea to the Isle of Wight and round to Christchurch Harbour. Return via Warren Hill, looking over the ancient landscape of castles and priories as well as the natural landscape of the Purbecks and the New Forest.
The Stour Valley Way
A Long Distance Footpath known as The Stour Valley Way cover 64 miles, following the river downstream from source to sea.
