River Stour

I often walk here in my lunch hour (well lunch half hour!). If very quiet you can see an abundance of wildlife. These are the remains of the railway bridge that kept Thomas Hardy in touch with the literary world of the capital. Thomas Hardy is well known for his links with the South West but his days at Sturminster Newton are said to be among his happiest. Thomas described his time here with his new bride Emma as "idyllic". While he was here he wrote Return of the Native.