Panorama taken beside the River Stour in fields near to Canford Magna and Wimbourne in Dorset. The image shows the weir near to Canford School, it was taken on Christmas Day 2009.

River Stour at Canford Magna - Wimborne Minster visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'River Stour at Canford Magna' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Dorset.

The River Stour flows for about 64 miles through the contryside of Wiltshire and Dorset in southern England. The river rises near Bourton and flows into the English Channel near Christchurch.

En route the Stour passes through Gillingham, Sturminster Newton and Blandford Forum. It then flows down the Stour Valley to Sturminster Marshall and Wimborne Minster, around the northern parts of Bournemouth before being joined by the River Avon just before entering Christchurch Harbour on the northern side of Hengistbury Head, flowing into the sea between the head and Mudiford Quay.

The Stour Valley Way footpath follows the river for much of the route. It is a popular walking and cycling path. The path and surrounding fields are liable to flooding after heavy rain. This panorama shows a view over the weir near to Canford Magna, just south of Wimborne Minster. Here the river loops around Canford School and Canford Magna Golf Club.

The River Stour is quite popular with anglers. Some stretches are free to fish in, others require either day passes or membership of one of the local angling clubs and associations. The river supports a wide range of fish with barbel, bream and chub in the lower stretches and mullet near Christchurch Harbour. In the northern stretches perch and dace are commonly caught. The river also has some fairly large pike.

Car: Canford Magna is just off the A341, about 3 miles southeast of Wimborne Minster, 5 miles north of Poole and 7 miles from central Bournemouth.