In addition to the main rail bridge spanning the river, smaller bridges were built to allow traffic and pedestrians to cross the cuttings and track as it travelled north-west. Three bridges were built for this purpose and all of them remain integral to the navigation of the town today. Arguably the most distinctive of them is the Alexandra Street pedestrian footbridge, above the site of the dismantled station. Constructed from iron and now partially supported by four narrow legs, the bridge stands at what was once the northern end of the station, where the single-line section to Templecombe began.
Blandford station remained open until 7 March 1966, when the entire line from Bath to Bournemouth closed to passengers. Goods traffic continued for a further three years, but the station was finally closed and the track lifted in 1969. Following the closure, the Damory railway bridges, on the southern approach to the station, were eventually demolished in 1978.

51m

October 19, 2022

One of two-foot bridges across the River Stour in these meadows. The views up and down stream are nice and if you're very lucky you may spot an otter here.
The two arches of an old railway bridge are visible to the west. This is the last remains of the old railway line that served Blandford Forum. The line was closed in 1966 and most of the bridge demolished, it's not clear why this bit remains.

Andy Lewis MTB 🇬🇧

April 9, 2023

Now only two spans remain and are preserved by the Blandford Railway Arches Trust. The railway bridge was built by the Somerset and Dorset Railway around 1880 and was demolished after the line closed in 1966 as part of the Beeching cuts.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Distance 109 m

Downhill 0 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 26 October

12°C

10°C

70 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Blandford Forum, North Dorset, Dorset, South West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Spetisbury Station Project

Shillingstone Railway Station and Museum

Union Hotel

Sika Trail

Zig Zag Hill Climb

Ashmore Village and Pond

Badbury Rings Iron Age Hillfort

Woolsbarrow Hillfort

North Dorset Trailway

View from North Dorset Trailway

Spetisbury Old Railway Station

Spetisbury Station

Blandford Railway Arches and Footbridge

1. Tarrent Rawston & Witchampton loop from Blandford Forum

2. Hodway Lane Trail Intersection – Sika Trail loop from Sturminster Newton

3. Mill Lane Bridge – Hodway Lane Trail Intersection loop from Blandford St Mary

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️