Section 4 of 6, Stour Valley Way
Blandford St Mary to Pamphill
11.9 miles (19.2 km). About 4 hours, moderate.
Start: ST 883 057. Finish: ST 992 004. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 129 m of climbing and 117 m of descent; highest point 51 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Blandford St Mary.
- Bus stops
- Bryanston School Gate, 100 m from the start. Directions ST 883 058The Maltings, 150 m from the start. Directions ST 884 059Chettell Way, 200 m from the start. Directions ST 884 056
- Car parks
- Car park, 230 m from the start. Directions ST 885 057Car park, 310 m from the start. Directions ST 886 057Marsh & Ham Car Park (pay), 340 m from the start. Directions ST 883 061
Getting back
The section finishes at Pamphill. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stop
- Queen Elizabeth's School, 680 m from the finish. Directions ST 998 007
What to expect
Underfoot: grass 34%, paved or flagged 28%, gravel and tracks 12%, earth, rock and mud 7%; the rest (18%) isn't recorded.
About 25% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 7 stiles, 16 gates, 1 stream crossing.
Steepest climb: about 29 m in a kilometre (1 in 34), starting 11 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Stour Inn, Blandford St Mary: at the start.The Anchor, Shapwick: 6.4 miles in.The Crown Hotel, Blandford Forum: near the start, about 350 m off the way.The Crown Hotel Bar, Blandford Forum: near the start, about 350 m off the way.The Greyhound Inn, Blandford Forum: near the start, about 350 m off the way. Seats outside.Charlton Inn, Charlton Marshall: 2.2 miles in, about 250 m off the way.The Red Lion, Sturminster Marshall: 8.2 miles in, about 150 m off the way.
- Cafés
- Keyneston Mill Cafe, Tarrant Crawford: 3.4 miles in.Beaton‘s TeaRoom, Blandford Forum: near the start, about 350 m off the way.Brasserie, Blandford Forum: 0.1 miles in, about 400 m off the way.Barford Farm House (icecream), Sturminster Marshall: 9.4 miles in, about 200 m off the way.Pamphill Dairy: 11.6 miles in, about 200 m off the way.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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