For ease of navigation I have divided Downstream Dorset into 6 sections -

North Dorset,

West Dorset,

the Isle of Purbeck,

rivers that flow into Poole Harbour 

East Dorset

Each river, stream and brook has its own chapter, except the smaller streams which are collected into one chapter.

The towns and villages which have settled along the waterways are in order from the source of the river to its mouth or confluence.

Place names in Dorset have always intrigued me so the derivation of each is shown, along with anecdotes from history, stories told by villagers and more up to date snippets are included with the town or village.