For many miles the river is followed by the now disused Somerset and Dorset Railway, which bridged the river five times.
Because much of the river's course is accross clay soil the river's waterlevel varies greatly. In summer low water level makes the river a diverse and important habitat, supporting many rare plants. In winter the river often floods, and is therefore bordered by wide flood plains.
A number of towns and villages in Dorset are named after the river, including East and West Stour, Stour Row, Stour Provist, Sturminster Newton, and Sturminster Marshall. Sturminster Newton is famous for its Water Mill and town bridge, which still bears the notice warning potential vandals that damaging the bridge is punishable by penal transportation.