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Places to stay in Sturminster Newton
Sturminster Newton is a traditional Dorset town, which built up to serve the surrounding agricultural area of North Dorset. It stands halfway between Blandford and Sherborne on the River Stour, across which spans a six-arched 17th century bridge of medieval origin. Market stalls fill the square on Mondays even though what was the largest calf market in Britain has long since closed. As also has the Artificial Insemination Centre at nearby Rivers Corner, which was set up in 1947 and served the whole of south-west England. The town has strong literary links - the Dorset poet William Barnes was born and educated in Sturminster Newton, where the small stone school survives. Thomas Hardy, Dorset's most noted author wrote The Return of the Native during the two years he lived in the town.
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