St Mary’s parkrun takes place on Saturdays at 9 am at St Mary’s Field adjacent to Bridport FC in Bridport, Dorset. Bridport is situated approximately half way between Bournemouth and Exeter. If you’ve watched the TV programme Broadchurch, the area will be familiar to you as this is where the series is filmed.

Getting There

By car, St Mary’s Field is around a kilometre south of central Bridport, just off the A35. Bridport Bus Station is a 5 minute walk from the start. The X51 Jurassic Coaster from Dorchester and the X53 Jurassic Coaster from Weymouth stop here.

Parking

There is plenty of free parking at Bridport FC, a few minutes walk from the start.

Toilets

There are toilets in Bridport Leisure Centre across the road from the car park (in the opposite direction to the start of the run). If you’re likely to need to use the toilets, it’s obviously best to head straight there from the car park instead of setting off towards the start, realising you need a wee, and having to retrace your steps.

Course

The course consists of 3 laps of St Mary’s Field, with an out and back section through a housing estate at one end and another out and back section along a riverside path at the other end. It’s reasonably flat. There are a total of six 360 degree turns to negotiate as each out and back sections needs to be run three times.

Terrain

The course consists of a grass section in the field and some tarmac paths either side of the field.

Shoes

Trainers.

Difficulty

Run Britain rankings for UK parkruns places St Mary’s as 410th fastest out of 706. It has a total elevation of 16 metres.

Fun Factor

It’s a run of two halves with a more scenic section through the park and along the River Brit and a less scenic section through a housing estate. The course is a bit fiddly with all the turns to negotiate. Otherwise, nothing notable to report; I can’t think of anything particularly positive or negative to say. We ran here because we had entered another event nearby the following day and the locals were very friendly and welcoming to the influx of visitors.

Where we Stayed

We stayed at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park in Bridport. This has camping sites plus static caravans for rent right next to the sea. The site has a private beach, restaurant, bar, swimming pool and bowling alley. if you’re a Broadchurch fan, you’ll recognise the park as several scenes were filmed here.

Nearby Attractions

Bridport is on the Jurassic Coast. As well some great beaches, there is a pleasant harbour area with plenty of restaurants, pubs and cafes. From Bridport, there are some beautiful (if a little undulating) coastal walks along the cliff tops in either direction.