Christchurch Online - River Stour

Content

Town Centre

The Priory

River Stour

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 23 July 2008

River Stour at Iford

The longest "stour" in England, the River Stour flows for 59 miles, being fed by six springs but the most prominent being Stourhead in Wiltshire and the largest catchement area is the chalk hills edging the Blackmore Vale. It meanders it's way southwards through fertile fields and a rolling landscape of hills and vales. Once a powerful river especially after heavy rainfall periods allowed the use of many corn mills along it's course but now those that have survived are museums albeit a couple are still in working order.

The river enters the Borough of Christchurch at Throop Mill flowing under the new and ancient bridges at Iford, running slowly under the bridge at Tuckton then on past Wick and the Quay. A little further south-east the Stour converges with the Avon where they both flow in to the harbour and finally surging twice a day through the "Run" at Mudeford and finally out to sea.

In the photo gallery the new road bridge can be seen at Iford built in 1932 carries the A35 trunk road connecting Christchurch to Bournemouth. This is point where the river is non navigational to propeller driven boats. The river at this point is shallow and wide and now due to it's slow flowing supports reed and water plant beds, an ideal environment for fish. The new road bridge viewed from the medieval Old Iford Bridge just a few hundred metres downstream.

Fishing is mainly coarse and licensed, salmon and trout being confined to the lower reaches. The most abundant species are roach, pike, dace, chub, barbel and perch.

From the Old Bridge pictures below show the river flowing south towards Tuckton. Even though there is housing on either side of the river virtually none are on the built on the treelined banks of the river, as it meanders through several bends. Below Tuckton Bridge on the northern bank holiday homes and a new five star hotel have been built.

Tuckton Bridge also connects Christchurch with Bournemouth, built at the turn of the 20th century. See History/Transport Photographed from Tuckton Bridge is the river upstream. As the river is now fully capable of carrying boats, moorings are now possible. Note that "Moorings" are extremely difficult to acquire, expensive and there is a long waiting list.

On the south side of Tuckton Bridge the river now becomes fully recreational. The easterly bank has been developed with riverside homes and landings but on the west bank you will find a cafe and a pathway running alongside the river. This riverside walk has wide grass area and tall trees and is ideal for peaceful picnics or to just idle time away watching the river activities.

Other facilities found here are a Putting Green and if you fancy it you can hire a motor boat and take a cruise up the Stour to Iford or downstream towards the Quay and even up the Avon at Waterloo Bridge, taking in the sights from the advantage of the river. For the children you could keep them occupied by letting them loose on the Bumper boats here at Tuckton.

A pleasant walk alongside the Stour from Tuckton to Wick is recommended. A ferry is available at Wick to cross the river, landing by the Christchurch Rowing Club and access to the Quay. Frequent river cruise ferries from Tuckton via Wick Landing and Christchurch Quay to Mudeford Beach.

A walk has been created called the Stour Valley Way. Originally running from Christchurch to Sturminster Marshall, but has been extended to follow the river for the 62 miles between Christchurch Priory and the main source of the river, the spring at Stourhead which is National Trust. A Kingfisher symbol signs the route.

On the banks of the river on both sides are many pleasure craft of all types and sizes. Mix this scene with the all year round resident water bird population makes a walk all the more pleasurable.