Shillingstone, Dorset

Flower Delivery to Shillingstone with Clare Florist

With a varied landscape of chalk downs, limestone ridges, and clay valleys, it comes as no surprise that much of Dorset has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In the northern part of the county is a wide valley comprised of alternating belts of clay and limestone soils: the Blackmore Vale. One of the many settlements in the vale is the quiet village of Shillingstone.
Featured in the Domesday Book of 1086, it was once an agricultural community known as a supplier of moss. Today, many of the residents now commute to neighbouring towns for work.

Shillingstone once featured a railway station, which was integral in allowing the transport of moss to surrounding towns. The station was on the single track stretch from Templecombe to Blandford. It was one of the most beautiful stations on the line thanks to its architecture as well as setting. The station has played host to a king during its centuries-old history: King Edward VII passed through the station on his way to the nearby Iwerne Minster House, home of the Lord and Lady Wolverton.

The frequent visits of the king prompted one of the most elegant changes to the station: an ornate canopy, a feature that is unusual for small railway stations. And just like many stations operating in the 19th and 20th centuries, one could find beautiful Shillingstone flowers in the garden, which was cared for by the station’s staff. Although the station completely closed in 1966, it is being restored by the North Dorset Railway Trust.

The trust has already made several achievements, including the restoration of the station gardens and greenhouse, where seeds used to plant flowers in Shillingstone station were propagated. A visit to the Shillingstone Railway Project is one of the best experiences not only for the architecture but also for the views: it is overlooked by Hambledon Hill (an ancient hill-fort) with the River Stour flowing in the foreground.

Apart from the gardens, the station buildings in the old Shillingstone railway have also been renovated to include a cafe, shop, museum, and model railway exhibition.

Shillingstone is a visually arresting place and as such, outdoor activities such as cycling, walking, and horse riding are ideal. The village is along the North Dorset Trailway, which traverses many picturesque villages located in the Blackmore Vale. The trailway passes through the Shillingstone Station Restoration Project, which can serve as a starting point. Other places of interest on the path include the Fiddleford Manor and Hambledon Hill National Nature Reserve.

Another place of interest in the village is Shillingstone House, a 30-acre property that dates back to 1879. It was home to the Portman family but is now in the ownership of Michael and Lady Caroline Salt. Set in a beautiful area of the Dorset countryside, the property is a great setting for weddings and other events.

We are an online florist where you can order flowers for delivery to Shillingstone and neighbouring areas. We stock a variety of floral arrangements perfect for anniversaries, birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day, among others. Simply get in touch with us when you want to send flowers to Shillingstone to avail of our next-day delivery service!

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