Sturminster Marshall

Sturminster Marshall is a village and civil parish in the east of Dorset in England, situated on the River Stour between Blandford Forum and Poole.

The parish had a population of 1,895 at the 2001 census,[1] increasing to 1,969 at the 2011 Census and includes the village of Almer (50°47′N 2°07′W / 50.78°N 2.12°W / 50.78; -2.12) west of Sturminster Marshall, near Winterborne Zelston and the hamlet of Henbury to the south-east of the village.

[2] King Alfred the Great, in his will of 899, a copy of which can be seen at the British Library, left the village to his youngest son Æthelweard (c.880-922).

[3] Until 1857, St. Hubert's Church in Corfe Mullen acted as a chapel of ease to Sturminster Marshall.

[7] Crossing the River Stour to the east of the village is a 16th century stone bridge of eight arches.

An early 19th century iron plaque threatens anyone damaging the bridge with penal transportation.