Union Hotel – Blandford Forum Market Place loop from Spetisbury

Running trails & routes

Union Hotel – Blandford Forum Market Place loop from Spetisbury

Moderate

runners

Union Hotel – Blandford Forum Market Place loop from Spetisbury

01:32

14.5km

110m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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6.98 km

Black Cactus Café

Highlight • Cafe

Black Cactus is a very friendly cafe with delicious food. you can charge up, recharge and refresh. Nice space to park your bikes right infront too. dogs also welcome.

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7.11 km

View of the River Stour and Stone Arch Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

From this beautiful multi-arched stone bridge, you can enjoy views of the River Stour as it flows through Blandford Forum. The only downside is that it has a sidewalk on only one side.

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7.40 km

Union Hotel

Highlight • Historical Site

Good pub part or hall and Woodhouse brewery which is the local brewery

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7.62 km

Blandford Forum Market Place

Highlight • Rest Area

Blandford destroyed by fire then rebuilt by the Bastard Brothers resulting in one of the most beautiful town centres in England

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8.40 km

Start of the North Dorset Trailway in Blandford Forum

Highlight • Trail

Nice easy going route from Blandford to Sturminster Newton, running along old railway line. Very easy going gravel.
Bit of history in nearby Railway Garden: flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/17454467195/in/photostream

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8.98 km

Remains of the Old Railway Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

The former railway bridge in Stour Meadows (part of the wider flood meadows near the River Stour) is significant for several reasons:

The Line: It carried the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway line, which ran a crucial cross-country route connecting Bath to Bournemouth.

The Town's Station: The bridge was essential for the railway to reach the final location of Blandford Forum Station, which opened north of the River Stour in 1863. This required the extension of the line from its original temporary terminus south of the river at Blandford St Mary.

Closure: The entire S&DJR line, often referred to simply as the "S&D," was closed as a result of the infamous Beeching Cuts. The Blandford station closed to passengers in March 1966, with the track eventually lifted around 1969.

Demolition & Preservation: Following the line's closure, the original railway bridge that crossed the River Stour was largely demolished. However, two of its arches/spans were saved and are still visible in the meadows today. This is thanks to the efforts of local groups, like the Blandford Railway Arches Trust, who recognized their historical importance.

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9.06 km

Preetz Bridge and Old Railway Arches

Highlight • Structure

Opened in 1997, Preetz Bridge was the first pedestrian bridge built to cross the River Stour. To the west, you can see two arches that are the last remains of the old railway line of this town.

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12.4 km

Somerset and Dorset Railway Path at Spetisbury

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

The Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway linked Bath to Bournemouth and was built during the mid-1800s. Closed in 1966, sections of it have become walking and cycling tracks. This stretch runs alongside Spetisbury and Charlton Marshall; it's used by the Stour Valley Way long-distance footpath as well.

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