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Stour Valley Way Walking Holiday
in Dorset, Southern England
from Stourhead to Christchurch
in 7 days
6 nights and 5 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
66 miles walking route following the River Stour from Stourhead in Dorset to Christchurch in Dorset.
This is one of our Dorset and Jurassic Coast walking holidays, one of our River Walking Holidays and also one of our Wiltshire Walking Holidays.
Stour Valley Way Walking Holiday
West Country River Walking Holiday in Dorset England
from Stourhead to Christchurch
via Sturminster Newton, Blandford Forum, and Wimbourne Minster
Enjoy a self-guided Stour Valley Way walking holiday along Dorset’s River Stour between Stour Head and Hengistbury Head (Christchurch).
This self-guided Stour Valley Way walking holiday in Dorset is a great introduction to walking holidays in the UK. Dorset’s Stour Valley Way passes through some of the River Stour’s most spectacular landscapes full of wildlife and heritage.
The Stour Valley Way walking holiday connects with the Avon Valley Path at Christchurch for a longer walking holiday.
Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.
We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.
Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.
All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.
This walking holiday in the UK operates March to September and in either direction.
The daily 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 the UK or Ireland. 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.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.
Stour Valley Way Walking Holiday
Stourhead to Christchurch
Suggested Tour Duration:
6 nights, 5 days walking
Total Distance:
66 miles/106 kms
Min/max daily distance:
9/18 miles
Average Daily distance:
13 miles
Grading:
Easy/Moderate
Features:
Stourhead
River Stour
Wimborne Minster
Christchurch
Hengistbury Head
This route connects with:
Avon Valley Path
Stour Valley Way Walking Holiday
in Dorset, Southern England
from Stourhead to Christchurch/Hengistbury Head on The Dorset Coast
6 nights and 5 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at East Stour
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.
Day 2: Stourhead to East Stour 9 miles easy
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, and then on to East Stour.
Day 3: East Stour to Sturminster Newton 10 miles easy
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 Marshall.
Day 5: Charlton Marshall to Wimborne 14.5 miles easy
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. Wimborne offers a fine selection of shops and pubs . The Minster dates back to 1120 and is well worth a tour.
Day 6: Wimborne to Christchurch and Hengistbury Head 18 miles easy
The trail passes by Canford Magna famous for its gothic-style railway bridge built over Lady Wimborne’s driveway. Throop has a mill mentioned in the Domesday Book and a mill has stood on this site since saxon times. Iford has a fine old bridge built in 1784. 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, and 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.
Day 7: Depart after breakfast
Depart after Breakfast or extend your holiday walking and spend some time exploring the Christchurch area
We can transfer you to your car or station.
Stour Valley Way Walking Holiday
from Stourhead to Christchurch
7 day itinerary
5 days walking and 6 nights
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at East Stour
Day 2: Stourhead to East Stour 9 miles
Day 3: East Stour to Sturminster Newton 10 miles
Day 4: Sturminster Newton to Charlton Marshall 14.5 miles
Day 5: Charlton Marshall to Wimborne 14.5 miles
Day 6: Wimborne to Christchurch and Hengistbury Head 18 miles
Day 7: Depart after breakfast
8 day itinerary 7 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2024 | £805 | £1,218 | £1,358 |
| 2025 | £805 | £1,218 | £1,358 |
All prices subject to change
Extra nights from £55 per person depending on location
What’s included
in your Stour Valley Way Walking Holiday in Dorset England
- 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
- OS 1:25,000 map
Optional Extras
for your Stour Valley Way Walking Holiday in Dorset England
- 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
What’s not included
in your Stour Valley Way Walking Holiday in Dorset England
- lunches and dinners
- travel insurance
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.
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.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.
UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or
Stour Valley Way Walking Holiday:
How to get there:
- By Plane to London, Gatwick, Bournemouth or Southampton where we can arrange transfer to the start of your walk
- By Car to East Stour where parking is available
- By Train/Bus to Castle Cary or Christchurch
We have river walking holidays in the UK in England, Scotland and Wales.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
- Annandale Way in Scotland
- Avon Valley Path in Wiltshire and Hampshire
- Dart Valley Trail in Devon
- Exe Valley Way in Devon
- Nidderdale Way in Yorkshire
- Severn Way in Wales and England
- Shakespeares Way from Stratford upon Avon to London
- Speyside Way in Scotland
- Stour Valley Way in Dorset
- Teesdale Way in Northern England
- Test Way in Hampshire
- Thames Path from the Cotswolds to London
- Wye Valley Walk in Wales
