13 miles long (for now), the North Dorset Trailway reclaims the trackbed of that most rural railway, the Somerset & Dorset.

It follows the valley of the River Stour to connect two attractive market towns, Blandford Forum and Sturminster Newton. The path is wide and well-surfaced, both a lovely family ride and a welcome alternative for the tourer seeking to avoid the busy A357. Stop off for a break at the old station café at Shillingstone.

There are short on-road sections in Blandford, including a busy roundabout to cross.

The North Dorset Trailway Network hopes to extend the path in future, towards Poole on the south coast, and north to the Somerset border at Henstridge.

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