STURMINSTER NEWTON MILL is on the south bank of the River Stour approximately three yards upstream of a fine mediaeval six-arched bridge. The Mill provides a unique opportunity to journey back to a simpler time, where you and your family can discover the age-old secrets of harnessing natural power amidst the tranquil beauty of the Dorset countryside. Informal guided tours by the mill supervisors are highly-praised features of visits to the Mill.
To the south east of Sturminster lie the three Okeford villages: Okeford Fitzpaine is one of Dorset’s most attractive villages with timber-framed cottages, no overhead cables and a green post box to add to the aesthetics. Shilling Okeford has a memorial Celtic cross commemorating the perished of the 1914-18 war with a
German field gun on the same site. At E
xplore and enjoy Rural Dorset, an area of great scenic beauty, with picturesque villages, historic market towns, interesting events and family attractions. Stroll in picturesque gardens or majestic parkland or discover the area’s rich heritage at mills, churches and museums. Get active with golf, boating on the River Stour, walking or cycling in one of the area’s great country parks. Browse craft galleries and markets to meet the friendly local residents. Whatever the season and whatever the weather the attractions and events ensure that a Day Out in Rural Dorset is enjoyable and memorable.
Blandford Forum is “Shottesford Forum” in Hardy’s ‘Wessex’ and the inspiration for several of his many novels. The town has a good range of shops and several museums, and many seasonal attractions with events virtually every day in the season. The Great Steam Fair is a five-day showcase for steam engines from across the UK and Europe. The Blandford Carnival lasts for a complete week.
Near Blandford is the National Trust Kingston Lacy House with Bradbury Rings, and an ancient Hill Fort surrounded by concentric ditches and ramparts. This huge estate has a mansion with an art collection and extensive gardens. There are walks, cycle routes, rivers, woodland, farmland, ancient trees and rare orchids. Just south of Blandford the Jubilee Trail has walking, cycling and horse riding opportunities.
Dotted along the very picturesque Tarrant Valley; Rushton stole the limelight when it became the site of a wartime airfield that served a major role in the Second World War and later it was the base for experiments carried by Sir Alan Cobham. Gunville is home to Eastbury Hall and the local church has a memorial to Thomas Wedgwood son of the famous Josiah who built the first basic camera. Tarrant Hinton is where in the Great War men of the Naval Division did their training before embarking for Gallipoli. The Monkton and Launceston village pub has a memorial to four sons of the village who perished in the Great War, and Rawston has such high speed traffic through the village it has ‘the fastest High Street in the West’. Crawford is the last village along the river and has a nine-arched bridge; the name derives from the Saxon ‘Crow Ford’ which is apt as just across the river is Spetisbury which got its name from the woodpecker.
Sturminster Newton is an ancient market town on the River Stour. This is a pleasant and interesting old town with a Museum located at Old Market Cross House in its centre. During September there is the largest Cheese Festival in Dorset and much more fun to interest the whole family. There is over ten miles of fishing on the beautiful River Stour as it flows through the Blackmore Vale above and below the town. Nearby Bulbarrow Hill is the second highest point in Dorset and a very popular beauty spot.
84
Turnworth Down, Ibberton Hill and Lulbarrow all above the Okefords, there are picnic areas and stunning views. Child Okeford is dominated with the impressive Hambledon Hill and by its side the ancient hillfort of Hod Hill.
Yetminster is home to the Minster of St. Andrew where the bells of the three hundred years old faceless clock chime the National Anthem six times per day. The village has another claim to fame as this is where the first successful vaccination against smallpox took place.
Stalbridge is the smallest town in Dorset and is home to one of the best preserved Market Crosses in the south of England. To the south of the town is Thornhill House, built by the artist Sir James Thornhill in 1730.
Sherborne has much to offer visitors and is one of the most beautiful towns in England. Situated on the Dorset and Somerset border it has excellent transport links making it a great centre from which to explore the Thomas Hardy (Wessex) area, and neighbouring counties.
Sherbourne has a number of medieval buildings, the most important of which are the Almshouse of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist; the 15C Conduit House and the Julian. There is a superb Abbey, which if you have never visited before will impress, and Sherborne Castle which includes antiquarian books, period furniture, portraits by the finest artists of their time and works by local craftsmen. At the castle there are country fairs, classic car rallies, sporting events and a miniature Thomas Tank railway for the children. The town has an excellent museum with many local artefacts, and nearby Purse Candle Manor and Sandford Orcas Manor are interesting places to visit.
THE KINGS ARMS in the village of Charlton Horethorne, near Sherborne is a special place where pride is taken in everything from pulling a pint to every dish that leaves the kitchen and in the way that rooms are presented guests. The pub & country house hotel is run by the owners Sarah & Tony who ensure that you experience the exceptional home-made dishes for which this house is renowned. There is something for everyone, different dining areas, croquet lawn and terrace, comfy sofas and interesting artwork displayed throughout and available for purchase.
Gillingham is the ‘Leddenton’ of Thomas Hardy’s novels, and is the most northerly town in Dorset. The town, being on the main railway line from Exeter to London and only four miles from the A303, is a convenient base for explore surrounding area. Much of the town is still much as it was in the days of Hardy. John Constable knew the area too, and his painting of the old town bridge over the River Shreen is in the London Tate. There are other local vistas by the great painter in the town museum. An annual event is
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100