Sturminster Newton

St Mary's Church

Sturminster Newton stands on the River Stour between Blandford and Sherborne. Often called Sturminster Newton Castle in older documents 'castle' refers to the ruins on a 14th century castle on high ground to the south of the present bridge. The famous cattle market closed down in 1997 has recently been redeveloped and a market, though no longer for livestock still takes place every Monday.

The town has strong literary links; the poet William Barnes was born in nearby Bagber and educated in Sturminster Newton. Thomas Hardy lived in a house which is situated by the recreation ground, he spent two years in the town during which time he wrote 'The Return of the Native'.

The church of St Mary's was rebuilt in 1486 by one of the last abbots of Glastonbury, the carved wagon roof dates from this time although much of the remainder of the church dates from later rebuilding. It was almost entirely rebuilt in 1827 by and at the expense of the Rev. Thomas Henry Lane Fox M.A. The East stained glass window was erected in 1885 to the memory of William Loftus Lowndes, the West window erected the following year in memory of Mrs Lowndes was designed and executed by Miss Lowndes.

Newton is a tithing of the town divided from it by the river Stour. Bagber is a small tithing 2 miles to the west of the town, you will also often find records for people living on Sturminster Common and at Fiddleford within the Sturminster Newton records.

Sturminster Newton Mill

The new OPC for Sturminster Newton is Felicity Harrison

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