Sturminster Newton is a town and civil parish situated on the River Stour in the north of Dorset, England.

The town is noted for its connections with the authors Thomas Hardy and William Barnes, and as part of the historic West Country Carnival circuit.

Originally the two parts of the name referred to the settlements on the north and south of the river, but were combined to distinguish the town from Sturminster Marshall and other Newtons.

[3] Hidden on the hill above the bridge over the river are the ruins of Sturminster Newton Castle, a manor house rather than a defensive building.

Set back from the main road is the market square and parish church of St Mary, which was rebuilt in 1486 by the abbots of Glastonbury.

[11] In the UK parliament, Sturminster is in the North Dorset parliamentary constituency which is currently represented by Simon Hoare of the Conservative party.

[12] Sturminster Newton civil parish covers about 4,550 acres (1,840 hectares)[13] at an elevation of 45 to 119 metres (148 to 390 feet),[14][15] with the highest ground being in the southeast.

The larger part of the town (Sturminster) lies on a low limestone ridge to the north side of the river, and includes most shops and services, whilst to the south is the smaller Newton, separated by a wide flood plain.

[13] To the southeast of the town are Girdlers Coppice and Piddles Wood, areas of mature woodland that are designated as sites of special scientific interest.

Census data is for Sturminster Newton civil parish, which also includes the small settlements of Bagber, Broad Oak and Puxey.