Stour Valley Way (Dorset)
A 60-mile long-distance path in Dorset and Wiltshire following the course of the River Stour upstream from where it enters the English Channel near Bournemouth to its source at Stourhead. Beautiful villages, ancient sites, and nature reserves feature prominently along the way. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SZ 182 912
Distance: 60 miles (97 km)
Time: 24–30 hours
Duration: 3–5 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL22 New Forest, Southampton, Ringwood, Ferndown, Lymington, Christchurch and Bournemouth
117 Cerne Abbas and Bere Regis
118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase
129 Yeovil and Sherborne
142 Shepton Mallet, Mendip Hills East, Frome and Midsomer Norton
Summary
The Stour Valley Way is a long-distance footpath which follows the River Stour upstream as it winds through the Dorset countryside. From the beginning of the Stour Valley Way at Hengistbury Head, the walk goes by Christchurch Harbour, Tuckton, Iford, Holdenhurst, Throop, Muscliffe, Stour Valley Nature Reserve, West Parley, Millhams Mead Nature Reserve, Knighton, Canford Magna, Oakley, Pamphill, Sturminster Marshall, Shapwick, Spetisbury, Charlton Marshall, Charlton-in-the-Hill, Blandford St Mary, Bryanston, Durweston, Stourpaine, Hod Hill Roman Fort, Hambledon Hill, Child Okeford, Hammoon, Fiddleford Mill, Sturminster Newton, Marnhull, Fifehead Magdalen, Stour Provost, West Stour, Gillingham, Silton, and Bourton to its end at Stourhead Park near Stourton.