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Please follow this link to our new Stour Valley Way website.
Walking Holiday on Dorset's
Stour Valley Way
Stourhead to Christchurch
Suggested Tour Duration:
7 nights, 6 days walking
Total Distance:
66 miles
Min/max daily distance:
7/14.5 miles
Average Daily distance:
11 miles
Grading:
easy
Features:
Stourhead
River Stour
Wimborne Minster
Christchurch
Hengistbury Head
To start your UK walking holiday you make your own way to East Stour in Dorset. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of this Dorset walking tour.
Stourhead is a National Trust Property at the head of the Stour Valley and provides plenty to see with its fine gardens and buildings. Then you start walking on the Stour Valley Way to Gillingham in Dorset with its fine church and selection of shops and pubs, then on to East Stour.
Walking on from East Stour the River Stour is alive with wildlife, providing a great chance to relax and unwind taking in the gentle sights around. Sturminster Newton is in the heart of Thomas Hardy's famous Blackmore Valley. The town was once known as Stourcastle and along with Marnhull was made famous by Thomas Hardy, and the area is part of the setting for his book 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'.
Day 4: Sturminster
Newton to Charlton Marshall. 14.5 miles easy
Before leaving Sturminster Newton the famous 17th mill with its weir are
well worth a visit. It can be seen working between Easter and September.
Walking on, the trail follows the River Stour's course until you reach
the village of Child Okeford, mentioned in the Domesday Book at the foot
of Hambledon Hill. Hambledon Hill is the site of a National Nature Reserve
and is important for its archaeology and rare chalk grassland. Man's influence
on the hill dates back 5,000 years and it was occupied by the Romans for
perhaps 100 years. Before today's walk ends at Charlton Marshal, the trail
crosses Dorset's
Jubilee Trail.
From Charlton Marshall the Stour Valley Way uses the route of the old Somerset and Dorset railway line which closed in 1966 after over 100 years of service. Sturminster Marshall, a small village, is one of the few places in the UK to still have village stocks.
Day 6: Wimborne
to Longham. 7 miles easy
Wimborne offers a fine selection of shops and pubs . The Minster dates
back to 1120 and is well worth a slight detour. Walking on, the trail
passes by Canford Magna famous for its gothic-style railway bridge built
over Lady Wimborne's driveway.
Walking on from Longham you come to Throop which has a mill mentioned in the Domesday Book and a mill has stood on this site since saxon times. Christchurch with its fine shops, historic harbour and Priory built in 1094 is the official end of the Stour Valley Way. Christchurch is a great place to spend a few days, and extra nights can be arranged. Christchurch is also the point were the Avon Valley Path meets this trail. It is a short walk to Hengistbury Head with its nature reserves and fine beaches. You have now reached the south coast of England and the English Channel.
Why not extend your walking holiday and spend some time exploring Dorset.
We can transfer you to your car, station or airport.
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This walking holiday in the UK operates March to October and in either direction. The above distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too. Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages. Rest days can be taken in any location. Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of England or the UK. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers. Online booking available. A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure. |
What's included
in your Walking Holiday
on the Stour Valley Way
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
Stour Valley Way 8 day itinerary: 6 day walking and 7 nights accommodation |
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| £630pp dbl/twin |
£798pp single occ |
£833pp solo traveller |
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| All prices subject to change | |||
Optional Extras
for your UK Walking Holiday
on the Stour Valley Way
- upgrade to the region's most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
| Holiday
Travel Insurance We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let's Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following: cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays. This is in addition to our existing booking conditions. |
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| Lunches
and Dinners These are not included. Evening meals: These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village. Packed lunches: These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route. |
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Telephone Lines are open 7 days a week. UK +44 (0)1837 880075 or +44 (0)207 193 1252 9am to 9pm US +1 (646) 233-1541 New York 5 hours behind UK time: 4am to 4pm EST AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182 Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time: 7pm to 7am EADT CAN +1 (647) 4786251 Toronto 5 hours behind UK time: 4am to 4pm EST |
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By Car to East Stour where parking is available
By Train / Bus to Castle Cary or Christchurch
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Contact
Us Booking Conditions Payment About Us Responsible Travel |
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