Stalbridge

Stalbridge (/ˈstɔːlbrɪdʒ/) is a small town and civil parish in Dorset, England, situated in the Blackmore Vale area of North Dorset district, near the border with Somerset. In 2001 the town had a population of 2,579, and is still growing. 30.8% of the inhabitants are retired. The nearest towns are Sturminster Newton, four miles south east, Sherborne, six miles west, and Shaftesbury, seven miles north east. The town is situated on the A357 road on a low limestone ridge, one mile west of the River Stour. The settlement became a town in April 1992.