WALKS IN DORSET at FONTMELL MAGNA (4K)

In this episode of my series “Walks in Dorset”, I take a 4 mile circular walk from the village of Fontmell Magna which is located about 4 miles South of Shaftesbury. Once again I am accompanied by my Whippet, Logan.
I parked my car in the Fontmell Magna and started off with a wander through the village. Beginning at the Northern end by the War memorial & village shop, I made my way past the old Watermill and the enchanting Fontmell Brook to pay a visit to the Church of St Andrew. After a small detour along West Street, I made my way past the tiny village green (site of the “Gossip's Tree”) towards the Fontmell pub before crossing to A350.
At this point I followed the course of the stream (called Collyer's Brook at this point), Eastwards out of the village.
My route took my uphill, into the countryside, towards the Fontmell Down Nature Reserve where there were some stunning views down into Longcombe Bottom & over Fontmell Down.
I continued Eastwards to explore Fontmell Wood - where there was a super display of bluebells -before heading back to the village (walking along a ridge around Littlecombe Bottom).
My final destination was the Fontmell pub where I took light refreshment!
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
For further videos in the series, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.w...
My Facebook page is: / davescountrysidewalks
I use an INSTA360 ACE PRO Action Camera & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go II) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

[@LNelson882]

Love this town tour… was in the area recently from over seas visiting Irwene as family from Irwene and further back to fontmell magna. Love seeing the history of this beautiful area

[@DaveFord]

It is certainly a beautiful part of the county for sure. Thanks for watching.

[@dianeknott3655]

Dave, thank you so much for the visit to the village. I SO enjoy seeing all of the cottages, pubs, mills, etc. as I am a watercolor painter of cottages. I also love hearing your commentaries about the history of the villages and buildings. Again, thank you!!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Diane. There were so many interesting things to explore in the village!

[@markshrimpton3138]

What a lovely Friday evening surprise. You always have the knack of making us feel as though we’re tagging along with you both.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Mark.

[@lynnb_and_ky_springer_spaniel]

@markshrimpton3138 I agree

[@catherineshipley5799]

Can you believe I’m having a few Tyrrell’s crisps😂. Lovely walk again

[@rodneytaylor6952]

We enjoyed your walk as much as you did. Steep Hampshire, Edward Thomas country 👀

[@bosse641]

Lovely village, so nice these old houses. And that church was a beauty. And the bugs were out already it looked like. ...the views on that ridge were amazing. 🙂 .....Summer is on the way.

[@DaveFord]

Yes indeed - pleased to see the back of that wet Winter!

[@JimNicholls]

That village was totally beautiful, Dave, and the rest of the walk great too. Do you have any idea what the protruding room on the house next to the pub was for?

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jim. The building next to the pub was initially a brewery and then a flax mill so I guess that bit protruding out was used for hoisting up flax seed ?

[@craigmarsh3221]

Good evening Dave beautiful video the Brook running through the village is absolutely stunning again enjoy the history of the village.the scenery in the valley so picturesque

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Craig. That brook was so crystal clear - quite beautiful.

[@martincannon1078]

Luxury crisps today! Funnily enough that's what I'm on at the moment with my evening apertif. I love your beer testing Dave purely research for the channel of course. Walk strait my friend.🍺

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Martin. A village pub always makes an excellent way to end a walk!

[@keithjoseph5671]

Amazing walk through the village with wonderful buildings and church . strole through the countryside

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Keith. It is such a pretty village & the views were amazing.

[@susantaylor927]

Thank you Dave and Logan! Beautiful walk in such a beautiful day! Glad you found that Boundary stone! 😊 We love seeing Logan's zoomies!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Susan.

[@markcox8762]

Thanks Dave and Logan for a lovely video. The village was delightful and the footpaths were absolutely beautiful. Mark and Karen from New Zealand

[@DaveFord]

Thank you both. :)

[@denisemann5817]

I'm new and I LOVE the walk! It's the history and old pictures that are so interesting. Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge! ❤

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Denise and indeed welcome to the channel! I hope that you enjoy the future videos in the series.

[@JezDavis]

What a great walk, thanks, you bought back some happy memories as a former resident of Ashmore just over the hill.....

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. We enjoyed our visit and walk at Ashmore last year.

[@PennyVarnes]

I'm looking forward to trying this walk. It looks great. Thank you Dave.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Penny. I hope that you have good weather when you visit.

[@ianbaker8225]

Many years ago i used to stop off at The Fontmell Magna pub on my way to Bournemouth. Then the pub was called The Crown Inn,not because of any royal connection but because,i was told,it was where the metal tops (crowns) for beer bottles was invented. Also there was a small brook which actually ran through the pub.

[@DaveFord]

The pub serves a fine pint of ale for sure!

[@eldred1809]

Great walk Dave. The views west from anywhere at the top of Spreadeagle Hill, and just over to the east at Charlton Down/Wingreen looking north must be the best that Dorset has to offer (and there are many to pick from). I always think of the beach when I smell gorse in flower, just like suntan lotion. Or perhaps that's just me! I must say the research that you put into your village visits always impresses with it's thoroughness, must take hours. Still, keeps you off the streets. Though I suppose it actually encourages it.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Yes, that area is terrific for views for sure.

[@cathpeterson1944]

luv this walk in Fontmell along beautiful brook and stunning country views

[@DaveFord]

I was quite taken by that little brook!

[@thesolitarycyclist9005]

Hi Dave, did you get a traffic order to close the A350? Never seen the village look so quiet and peaceful! Best John

[@DaveFord]

Ha ha .... I was very patient, waiting for a gap in the traffic!

[@Ken-dr9gu]

Another very interesting Walk Dave, I Do love the great way you deliver all the facts of these places. You are very lucky that there are such beautiful places for you both to enjoy, and show to other people. Thanks for sharing these walks with all of us. 👍

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Dorset is such a pretty county with so many delightful villages to explore!

[@anthonystratton9927]

thanks Dave for your stunning walks in the magnificent Dorset countryside the views are to die for and the knowledge that you have and what joy to have Logan as your walking companion

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Anthony. Logan is a super dog for sure.

[@starfish370]

Nice to see you back again after such a while...hope all's been well, and thanks for a lovely video!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you for watching.

[@mrz5705]

Hi Dave, do you have any plans to visit some more northern counties..? Chris.

[@DaveFord]

Hi Chris. The rest of this year is scheduled for walks in Dorset, The New Forest, the rest of Hampshire, Wiltshire & Sussex. However, I do have plans for "something different" next year which will be based about "going on tour" .... which will involve "heading North"! Cheers. Dave.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Hello Dave. Beautiful area to match the weather. Yes. We've had some glorious spring like days recently. Must be a lot of history in that village alone. I expect you noticed the dandelions out in bloom. Dandelion Day is somewhere around the 21st to 25th of April. This is when the majority of these flowers are normally out. I reckon they are 10 to 14 days early this year, due to the very mild weather. It's the first time I've known this to happen.

[@DaveFord]

We have certainly had plenty of rain this winter, that is for sure!

[@charlesfulcrum3170]

Dave, your walks are always a pleasure to watch. Thank you.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Charles.

[@Kate-iz8rp]

Lovely video,always look forward to these at the start of the weekend ,thankyou Dave and Logan

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Kate.

[@gregtickle9356]

Dave…wonderfully researched…enhancing the video. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Greg. :)

[@SkylarkFields]

Beautiful area to walk! So pretty!

[@DaveFord]

It is such a beautiful part of Dorset around there.

[@marcogerlach1648]

What a charming little village!😮

[@DaveFord]

It is so pretty and the houses so well presented & looked after.

[@geoffw8565]

Thoroughly enjoyed your video Dave. Drive down the A350 to Swanage area via Fontmell Magna and Iwerne Minster etc a couple of times a year and its such a beautiful area and drive ! Bit slow though if behind something as not much chance of getting past anything ?

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Geoff. Yes, not a road to travel on if you are in a hurry!

[@geoffw8565]

@@DaveFord That's for sure !

[@jeanblemings5352]

So much of interest in the village which does not look very large on the map. Those woods were stunning with all the wild garlic. Any sign of rhe strip lynchetts marked on the 1958 map on the return slope into the village or had they all been ploughed out? Is Logan changing his crisp affinity from Pipers to Tyrrells??!! Thanks for such a well researched video. Love all the old photos!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jean. Yes, those strip lynchets were there .... I just didn't get around to mentioning them. Alas, the pub didn't have Pipers so we had to make do with a different make!

[@jeanblemings5352]

@@DaveFord the best strip lynchets I know of are around Worth Matravers - absolutely stunning.

[@lynnb_and_ky_springer_spaniel]

Oh Dave, I loved this video, so informative (as always) and the village gorgeous with those lovely cottages and the mill stream; there's something about the sound of running water. Of course I loved seeing Logan running about, he's such a good boy. Thanks for taking us here, thoroughly enjoyable watch on a Saturday evening 🥰 Will we be seeing you both next Sunday?

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lynn. I think that Logan really enjoyed that one! Now the weather is finally improving (!), it is full steam ahead with filming for me so I will not be able to make it over next weekend but hope to catch up with the crew some time during the year!

[@lynnb_and_ky_springer_spaniel]

@@DaveFord Oh yes, I understand Dave. The July one will be good at Firle/Charleston with Andrew Norris leading. Will be very scenic 👌 Enjoy your Sunday

[@paulineshave3880]

Another one we must try!

[@DaveFord]

The views are well worth the effort of climbing up to the ridge!

[@walkingthewyrd]

Such a beautiful walk, Dave! The church was lovely and clearly well looked after. Great to see.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Nic. I just loved that church!

[@walkingthewyrd]

@DaveFord I stopped with a friend at Holy Rood Church in Shillingstone a few weeks ago. It is a wonderful church with many saxon features, and I think it might just be my favourite so far! Do check it out if you're ever out that way!

[@DaveFord]

@@walkingthewyrd Will do!

[@melissaphillips3088]

Evening Dave .. lovely day for you and Logan to walk and give us a view of this gorgeous place! It is so beautiful and charming. I could walk all day long taking it all in. It always gets to me to see all this beauty.Spectacular Dave!! Thank you so much.Sending a big hug to Logan🌸

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Melissa. It was a great walk for scenic views for sure.

[@melissaphillips3088]

@@DaveFord I don’t know how you mange to find a new place that is more beautiful than the last but you do each time. My husband would the history of each village. We both are history buffs and love scenic places. ☀️