STURMINSTER LKABO NEWTON A U T STURMINSTER POINTS OF INTEREST WALKABOUTS W

A P S NEWTON P E R 5 IL O The walk starts along the WALKABOUT 5 X. 5.5 M WALKABOUTS long-distance ‘Stour Valley River Stour / Cutt Mill / Stalbridge Lane Way’ which follows the river The walk follows the Stour river valley, crossing it at from its source at Stourhead River Stour / Cutt Mill / Stalbridge Lane Cutt Mill and returning along the ancient lane linking to Christchurch Harbour. Sturminster and Stalbridge (approx. 5.5 miles). Until 1966, the arches carried the single track This is one of a series of circular walks from Sturminster of the old railway. Newton which take in the surrounding area of the Blackmore Vale. They are mainly on Public Rights of Way, Cutt Mill (remains) would with some on paths with access permitted by the once have been an important landowners. and busy part of Hinton St Mary’s village life – but now These walks are intended to encourage exploration and it is a haven of riverside appreciation of the variety and beauty of the countryside tranquillity. in this locality, on foot. Cyclists are not permitted to ride on public footpaths and by law must give way to walkers A huge oak tree beside and horseriders on bridleways. Stalbridge Lane (cover When walking, please remember the Countryside Code, photo) is known locally as particularly: the ‘Barnes Oak’ after the • respect the local community, farmland and others Dorset poet who was raised enjoying the countryside in the area. This ancient • leave gates and property as you find them lane, the Halter Path, can be • leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home very wet, even in dry spells. • keep dogs under effective control • keep to the marked paths and cause no damage to ‘Colber Bridge’ is named crops, livestock or wildlife after a nearby settlement that has long since vanished. Appropriate footwear is recommended, since wet or muddy conditions can be encountered at any time. The ‘J Conway 1841’ inscribed in the ironwork was a clock- The Sturminster Newton Walkabouts have been maker in the town who was developed by the Sturminster Newton Town Council in paid £163 to design and association with Dorset County Council and are available build it. from Sturquest Community Office, Sturminster Library, the Museum and Sturminster Mill or can be downloaded from Looking from the top of the www.dorsetforyou.com/walkabouts Recreation Ground towards Further information can be obtained from the Town the river, Bathing Island Council on 01258 475136. can be seen.

Sturminster Newton Photo credits: John Lewis, Graham Rains, Jan Wardell Town Council 4 miles DISTANCE approximately 5.5

START Path liable to flooding to liable Path STARTING POINT STARTING Station Road car park, Sturminster Newton All walks start from the Station Road All walks start from car park (DT10 1BD). business premises This and the surrounding on the site of former Railway Station. are Opened in 1863, the old Somerset and Dorset Railway ran steam-hauled trains between Bournemouth and Bath. Sections of now usedthe old railway line are as a walking, cycling and horse riding route some picturesque which takes you through Known as Vale. villages of the Blackmore in it features the North Dorset Trailway, many of the walks. Society

in places Museum & Mill Visit www.sturminster Sturminster Newton newton-museum.co.uk muddy

Wet and the organisation that provided you with the data. You are not permitted to copy, sub-licence, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form. sub-licence, distribute or sell any of this data to third not permitted to copy, are you with the data. You that provided the organisation © Crown copyright and database rights 2016 Ordnance Survey 100019790. You are permitted to use this data solely to enable you to respond to, or interact with, permitted to use this data solely enable you respond are Survey 100019790. You copyright and database rights 2016 Ordnance © Crown 200 m KEY 500 ft Walkabout route Walkabout Way Stour Valley Other rights of way 01258 471456 RIVER STOUR / CUTT MILL / STALBRIDGE LANE RIVER STOUR / CUTT MILL STALBRIDGE it at Cutt Mill and crossing The walk follows the Stour river valley, along the ancient lane linking Sturminster and Stalbridge. returning Old Market Hill www.stur.org.uk Dorset DT10 1FH Community Office Sturminster Newton

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