Places to visit

The Upper Stour

Sturminster Marshall retains several fascinating relics of earlier village life; for example, the village stocks and maypole (still in use today) can be seen on the village green. The nearby eight-arched medieval stone bridge over the River Stour at White Mill is believed to be the oldest in Dorset, dating from 1170. Legend tells that thieves dropped the bells from ruined Knowlton Church into White Mill Pool in guilty haste and that they can still be heard ringing today! The mill itself is part of the Kingston Lacy Estate and is open to the public.



Further upstream, Charlton Marshall was formerly a stop on the Somerset and Dorset Railway Line, the route of which offers today a peaceful off-road stroll or cycle ride.

Beyond Blandford, on a wooded riverbank facing the town, lies the pretty hamlet of Bryanston, historically closely connected to the Bryanston estate and its impressive 19th century mansion, now a public school. Close by lies Blandford St Mary, home to the the Hall and Woodhouse Brewery and Visitor Centre and some of Blandford`s finest Georgian cottages. The village today lies on both sides of the town bypass.

Yet further upstream, Shillingstone offers superb views across the river to Hambledon and Hod Hillforts, as well as a popular tea rooms, pub and a two village shops.