Sturminster Newton, known to locals as Stur, is a town in the Blackmore Vale area of Dorset, England. The town is famous as the home of poet and author William Barnes, and, for part of his life, Thomas Hardy. The town had a population of 3,105 during the 2001 census, but is growing fast. 30.93% of the population are retired. The town has 43 shops and there is a primary and secondary school, both of which are in need of expansion to cope with the fast growing population of the town and surrounding villages. A market is held in the town on Mondays. Formerly one of the largest cattle markets in England was held here, but the market was closed in 1998 and is currently undergoing redevelopment into housing and retail. The town is part of the historic West Country Carnival circuit. Sturminster Newton is situated on a low limestone ridge in a meander of the river Stour. The town is at the centre of a large dairy agriculture region, around which the town's economy is built. The larger part of the town, including most shops and services, is north of the river, but to the south is Newton and Broad Oak. These areas are divided by a wide flood plain.