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The Church of St Mary in Lower Blandford St Mary (often just referred to as St Mary's Blandford St Mary) has a rich history that has seen significant changes over the centuries. Medieval Core (14th & 15th Century) West Tower: The unbuttressed three-stage west tower is the oldest standing part, likely dating to the 14th century. Chancel: The main body of the chancel dates from the 15th century (Perpendicular style). Materials: The building uses a variety of local stones, including coursed Heathstone and Flint, with parts featuring chequerwork (alternating squares) of flint and ashlar (dressed stone). Victorian and Later Additions While the main body is in the Perpendicular style, it was subject to significant 19th and early 20th-century rebuilding and enlarging: The South Aisle and Porch were added in 1837. The North Aisle and Transept were built in 1862. The Vestry was added in 1908. Notable Internal Fittings and Monuments Roofs: The nave and south aisle feature a plastered waggon roof, while the chancel has a ribbed waggon roof. Pulpit: It contains an open traceried pulpit from the 19th century. Pews: The pews are of fielded panel, possibly incorporating woodwork from 18th-century box pews. Memorials: The church is noted for its interesting memorials, including one to Francis Cartwright (died 1758), who was a local architect. Thomas Pitt: The ancestor of two British Prime Ministers, Thomas Pitt, who died in 1726, is buried here

Unfortunately it was locked up, like the other church I visited. They are both under ministership by the same Reverend. Maybe just having a lazy day, but churches should always be accessible to those who seek them.

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.

The structure you see today stands in isolation in the flood meadows and acts as a major landmark for the area. North Dorset Trailway: The former railway line's route, including the embankment leading up to the remaining arches, has been repurposed as the North Dorset Trailway. This popular multi-use path is enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, and stretches for miles along the former trackbed. Stour Meadows Park: The park itself is a beautiful area for recreation and nature walks, situated next to the River Stour, and the preserved arches are a key historic feature on the route. Essentially, the remaining spans of the railway bridge are a powerful, tangible reminder of a celebrated piece of British railway history that once played a vital role in the commercial and social life of Blandford Forum.

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.

Historic Significance: It is a Grade I Listed Building (the highest level of protection), noted for its special architectural and historic interest. Age: The first record of the bridge dates back to 1334, suggesting its medieval origins, with parts of the current structure likely dating to the 15th century. Construction: It is built of coursed rubble and ashlar stone and features nine semi-circular arches. Widening: The bridge was widened in 1819. The upstream side is the original, medieval part and features triangular cut-waters which extend up to form pedestrian refuges. The downstream side is the later, plainer widening. Inscriptions: There is a reset stone on the east side of the bridge inscribed with the year 1719. Name Origin: The bridge is named Crawford Bridge because it carries the road from Spetisbury to Tarrant Crawford. The nearby area of Spetisbury was historically one of three manors, including Great Crawford.

Single lane beware of on coming vehicles

* On the north wall, there are more fragmentary paintings, including depictions of St Michael weighing souls and St Christopher carrying the Christ Child. * A 13th-century painting in the chancel features a simple masonry pattern with a flower stencil. * There is also a 14th-century depiction of the Annunciation.

Medieval Wall Paintings: One of the most significant features of St Mary the Virgin is its extensive and relatively well-preserved 14th-century wall paintings that cover much of the nave. These paintings were intended to instruct and inspire parishioners.    * Scenes include the life of St Margaret of Antioch (said to have been swallowed by a dragon).    * A morality tale depicting three animated skeletons warning three princes about the emptiness of earthly wealth.

Queen Joan of Scotland: Another notable figure associated with the Abbey and church is Queen Joan, daughter of King John and wife of Alexander II of Scotland. She was also buried at Tarrant Crawford shortly after Bishop Poore's death, and her reputed coffin lid is also found in the church. Architecture and Features: * Dating and Materials: The church's chancel dates to the 12th century, with the nave and tower having 13th-century elements. The upper part of the tower and the porch are 15th-century, and the nave roof is early 16th-century. The construction primarily uses flint, with dressings of Upper Greensand, Tertiary heathstone, and Wardour Portland white oolite.

Abbey Origins: The church was likely a lay chapel to Tarrant Abbey, which was founded in the late 11th century by Ralph de Kahaines and refounded in 1228 (or 1230/1233) as a Cistercian nunnery by Bishop Richard Poore. * Bishop Richard Poore: A prominent figure, Bishop Richard Poore was baptized in Tarrant Crawford and went on to become Bishop of Chichester, Salisbury, and Durham. He is credited with planning and building Salisbury Cathedral from 1219. He was buried in Tarrant Crawford in 1237, and his coffin lid, made of Purbeck Marble and bearing a cross, is still within the church.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Tarrant Crawford, Dorset, is a historically significant church with roots dating back to the 12th century. It sits in a picturesque valley, a little distance from the village itself. This church is notable as it is all that remains of the once-wealthy Tarrant Abbey, a Cistercian nunnery.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Tarrant Crawford, Dorset, is a historically significant church with roots dating back to the 12th century. It sits in a picturesque valley, a little distance from the village itself. This church is notable as it is all that remains of the once-wealthy Tarrant Abbey, a Cistercian nunnery.

Nice stop off point

Perfect views when the sun is out.

The old spetisbury station

Lovely old Somerset and Dorset railway line

Lovely river views from Crawford bridge