The best gravel rides around Winfrith Newburgh

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.

If open go inside, also there a bench next to the river

* Athelhampton Chantry: The south transept, known as the Athelhampton Chantry, is a major historic interest. It contains numerous monuments to the Martyn family of nearby Athelhampton House, with tombs dating back to the 13th century. The effigy of Sir William Martyn (d. 1503), who built much of Athelhampton House, is particularly high quality.

* 17th-Century Woodwork: The interior boasts a wealth of 17th-century woodwork, including the pulpit, reading desk, altar rails, font cover, and box pews. The gallery over the west end of the church, dated 1635, is wonderfully carved and bears a Latin inscription: "You come hither, not to be seen, but to listen and to pray."

* Norman Period Elements: The base of the tower, parts of the southwest corner, and possibly the south respond of the chancel arch survive from the original Norman building. * 12th-Century Font: A notable feature is the superb 12th-century font, which has an unusual beaker-like shape and is intricately carved with interwoven acanthus leaves. Its cover is an octagonal pyramid from around 1635.

St Mary the Virgin Church in Puddletown, Dorset, is a historic church with Norman origins, though much of its current structure dates from the 15th century rebuilding. It is considered one of the finest historic churches in Dorset. Key features and historical aspects include: