Stour

The River Stour in Dorset is well known by anglers across the country for the quality of its fishing. Over the years many British record captures have been made here, for example, the current Roach record stands at 4lb 3oz, taken from the Stour near Wimborne. The Stour rises on the Greensand at St. Peters Pump in Stourhead Gardens and flows through Gillingham. Nearby it is joined by the Shreen Water and the River Lodden.

The Stour stretches out for 96 km, passing through the Blackmoor Vale down to the sea at Christchurch; the total fall over this distance is approximately 230m. Other notable tributaries along its length include the River Tarrant confluencing near Spetisbury, the River Allen at Wimborne and the Moors River coming in near Christchurch. The Stour confluences with the River Avon at the 'Clay Pool' in Christchurch, before flowing into the harbour area and ultimately out into the English Channel.