Sturminster Newton in Lockdown
Essential shops open for business Just click on the shop name to access their web site or Facebook page. Bulgarian
Sturminster Bridge (see walk 4)
Sturminster Newton is an ancient town mentioned in the Domesday book. Its old town is an eclectic mix of old and older shops and houses and is itself host many interesting walks. It is surrounded by the renowned countryside of the Blackmore Vale with its mills, drovers’ lanes and old vernacular architecture to produce a gentle engaging countryside perfect for the dedicated rambler as much the occasional weekend family group.
Whilst there has been a concerted effort to reduce stiles in favour of gates and most of the paths have good accessibility for those of limited physical ability those organising these walks for the less able are strongly recommended to recce them before any group activity.
There is an active council run effort to make sure these paths and others in the county are well looked after. This operation is run by Graham Stanley and his team based in Blandford. Should you encounter problems with the walks (Signage, broken stiles etc you can report these to his team on 07957 557311.
Here are a number of walks. Visit occasionally as we add to them.
We would like to increase the number of walks in this section.
If you have a walk yourself that you would like to see here? Email [email protected] with the walk description and any photographs and pdf’s that you can muster.
So let’s get started
Here is a list of 8 of the best walks in and around Sturminster Newton with downloads of maps and guides for each of them for you to take with you when you explore the town and surrounding areas.
If you are looking for a walk or walks in the region then before deciding on which one read the brief description of each and then simply download the pamphlet you require and take it with you, or better still download it to your phone and make a small contribution to reducing our waste foot print.
Walk 1 Gotts Corner to Honeymead Lane and Butts Pond Meadows
Download the trail by clicking here Gotts Corner
The path liable to flood after heavy rain. About 1.5 miles long
Things you might see;
The UK’s rarest amphibian the Great Crested Newt lives on this route
Walk 2 Manston, Hammoon and Fiddleford Mill
Download the trail by clicking here. Hammoon and Manston
Generally good underfoot. About 5.5 miles long.
Hammoon is an ancient hamlet – The village(Ham) of Moyon (Moon) named after a Normandy knight that came over with William the Conk later rewarded rewarded with many lands.
Things you might see;
Hammoon Manor in the lovely Hamlet of Hammoon
Walk 3 Fiddleford Mill to Piddles Woods and Broad Oak
Download the trail by clicking here Fiddleford Mill to Piddles Wood
A walk with a climb! Generally good underfoot. About 5 miles
Things you might see;
Fiddleford Mill
Walk 4 The Recreation Ground, Hardy’s House, Sturminster Mill and Bridge and the Coach Road
Download the trail by clicking here Hardy’s House and Sturminster Mill
Generally good underfoot. Easy walking. About 1.5 miles,
Thing you might see;
Sturminster’s famous Mill
Walk 5 The Stour to Cutts Mill and back via Stalbridge Lane
Download the trail by clicking here Stour to Cutts Mill
Can be very wet underfoot in all parts of the walk. Some tricky ground underfoot too. About 5.5 Miles
Things you might see;
Photograph of Cutts Mill near Hinton St Mary, Dorset [c.1930s-1980s] John Piper 1903-1992
Walk 6 The Trailway to Fiddleford Mill and back
Download the trail by clicking here Trailway to Fiddleford Mill
Generally good underfoot. About 2 miles
Things you might see;
Fiddleford Mill workings
Walk 7 The Stour meanders, Hinton St Mary and Back to Sturminster
Download the trail by clicking here The Stour ‘Meanders’
Can be very wet along the Stour – wear the right footwear. About 4.5 miles.
Things you might see;
A tile with a copy of the earliest mosaic found in UK depicting Christ
Walk 8 Rudge Hill to Plumber Manor and Puxey Farm
Download the trail by clicking here Rudge Hill to Plumber Manor
A scenic route to the south of the town. About 5 miles
Things you might see;
Plumber Manor Hotel and Restaurant
A few notes for the would-be walker