The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Blandford St. Mary

All aboard for a massive hit of nostalgia! Shillingstone Station is like a beautifully preserved 1950s time capsule tucked away in the Dorset countryside. Once a vital stop on the legendary Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (the "Slow and Dirty"), it’s now being lovingly restored by a team of dedicated volunteers. You can wander the original platforms, explore vintage signal boxes, and even have tea in a converted railway carriage. It’s the perfect spot to pretend you're an extra in Brief Encounter while the North Dorset Trailway hikers buzz past. No trains to Bath today, but the atmosphere is pure gold!

The Church of St Mary in Lower Blandford St Mary (often just referred to as St Mary's Blandford St Mary) has a rich history that has seen significant changes over the centuries. Medieval Core (14th & 15th Century) West Tower: The unbuttressed three-stage west tower is the oldest standing part, likely dating to the 14th century. Chancel: The main body of the chancel dates from the 15th century (Perpendicular style). Materials: The building uses a variety of local stones, including coursed Heathstone and Flint, with parts featuring chequerwork (alternating squares) of flint and ashlar (dressed stone). Victorian and Later Additions While the main body is in the Perpendicular style, it was subject to significant 19th and early 20th-century rebuilding and enlarging: The South Aisle and Porch were added in 1837. The North Aisle and Transept were built in 1862. The Vestry was added in 1908. Notable Internal Fittings and Monuments Roofs: The nave and south aisle feature a plastered waggon roof, while the chancel has a ribbed waggon roof. Pulpit: It contains an open traceried pulpit from the 19th century. Pews: The pews are of fielded panel, possibly incorporating woodwork from 18th-century box pews. Memorials: The church is noted for its interesting memorials, including one to Francis Cartwright (died 1758), who was a local architect. Thomas Pitt: The ancestor of two British Prime Ministers, Thomas Pitt, who died in 1726, is buried here

Unfortunately it was locked up, like the other church I visited. They are both under ministership by the same Reverend. Maybe just having a lazy day, but churches should always be accessible to those who seek them.

The stretch of the old Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR) line at Spetisbury and Blandford area provides a tangible connection to the past and is a key part of the modern landscape. This crucial cross-country route connected the English Channel at Poole/Bournemouth with the Bristol Channel and Bath, allowing direct passenger and freight services from the Midlands and the North to the South Coast. Track Doubling: While initially a single track, the line at Spetisbury was upgraded to double track around 1901. This required the construction of the second platform (the 'Up' platform) and a signal box to manage the crossover points. Down Line: Trains travelling towards Bailey Gate, Wimborne, and Bournemouth used the Down platform (the original platform). Up Line: Trains travelling towards Blandford, Templecombe, and Bath (Green Park) used the Up platform (the new platform). The Scenery: The line through Spetisbury was known for its gentler curves and gradients compared to the difficult northern section over the Mendip Hills, allowing for fast running. It offered picturesque views over the River Stour Valley, which you can still enjoy today. Closure: The tracks at Spetisbury saw their final passenger services (the main S&D line closure) in March 1966. The rails were lifted a few years later in 1970.

The North Dorset Trailway Connection Today, Spetisbury Station is a popular access point for the North Dorset Trailway. Trailhead: The section of the Trailway running from Spetisbury north to Sturminster Newton, largely following the old railway bed, is a well-maintained, traffic-free path for walking, cycling, and riding. Visitor Stop: The former station site makes a perfect place to stop, rest, and picnic while exploring the Trailway, offering fine views over the Stour Valley. It's a wonderful example of local history being preserved and repurposed for community and recreation!

The Spetisbury Station Project Unlike the bridge at Blandford, which remains a preserved structure, the Spetisbury station site is being actively restored by volunteers. The Project: The Spetisbury Station Project Group was formed in 2012 by dedicated volunteers to clear and preserve the abandoned site. What You Can See: While the original station buildings were demolished shortly after the 1956 closure, the project has cleared the site to reveal the foundations of the station buildings, the booking office, and the signal box. Ambience: The site is now a peaceful, landscaped green space featuring picnic areas, benches, and information boards. Volunteers have added replica signage and restored the platforms to recreate the atmosphere of the former country station. Wildlife Haven: The site is also managed to be a haven for local wildlife, with features like a wildlife pond, bat boxes, and specific flower borders.

The Railway and Closure Original Line: Spetisbury Station was located on the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR), which connected Bath to Bournemouth. Opening: It originally opened on November 1, 1860, as part of the Dorset Central Railway's line from Wimborne to Blandford. It initially had a single platform. Double Track: Around 1901, the line was doubled through the station, and a second platform and a signal box were added to handle the increased traffic. Downgrade: Like many rural stations seeking to cut costs, it was downgraded to an unstaffed "halt" in 1934. Passenger Closure: The station closed completely to passengers on September 17, 1956, one of the early closures on the S&D line. Line Closure: Although the station itself was closed, the main S&DJR line through the site continued to operate passenger services until the whole route closed in March 1966. Goods traffic ceased in 1969, and the track was lifted in 1970.

The structure you see today stands in isolation in the flood meadows and acts as a major landmark for the area. North Dorset Trailway: The former railway line's route, including the embankment leading up to the remaining arches, has been repurposed as the North Dorset Trailway. This popular multi-use path is enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, and stretches for miles along the former trackbed. Stour Meadows Park: The park itself is a beautiful area for recreation and nature walks, situated next to the River Stour, and the preserved arches are a key historic feature on the route. Essentially, the remaining spans of the railway bridge are a powerful, tangible reminder of a celebrated piece of British railway history that once played a vital role in the commercial and social life of Blandford Forum.