Maiden Newton

Maiden Newton is a village and civil parish in the county of Dorset in south-west England. It lies within the West Dorset administrative district of the county, about 9 mi north-west of the county town of Dorchester. It is sited on Upper Greensand at the confluence of the River Frome with its equally-sized tributary the Hooke. Both these rivers have cut valleys into the surrounding chalk hills of the Dorset Downs. Maiden Newton railway station, which serves the village, is situated on the Heart of Wessex Line. The A356 main road also passes through the village. In the 2001 Census the village had a population of 952, of whom 29.7% are retired.

Maiden Newton was the basis for the village of Chalk-Newton, South Wessex, in many of the works of Thomas Hardy. In the vicinity of the village is evidence of Roman occupation and early British settlements. The parish church of St Mary contains much Norman work, with additions from the 14th and 15th centuries. Maiden Newton is also home to one of the country's oldest fire engines, restored and in full working order.