WALKS IN DORSET at TOLLER PORCORUM & TOLLER FRATRUM [4K]

This is another video in my series “ Walks in Dorset” accompanied by my Whippet (Logan). In this episode, I visit the villages of Toller Porcorum & Toller Fratrum which are located 10 miles to the North West of Dorchester in Dorset.
I parked my car by the church in School lane (just off the High Street) in Toller Porcurum and start my 4 mile circular walk with a look at the church of St Peter & St Andrew. I then head South to explore what remains of the old railway station - basically just a platform!
I then head through the village, over the railway bridge & past the Old School House, to the South West where I take a track which becomes an overgrown (!) footpath (the finger post points to Toller Fratrum).
The next section of the walk is uphill, past Ferndown Farm, and on to a ridge before heading East towards Wynford Wood. I descend into a valley & up the other side (with the woods on my left) to a couple of finger posts on the Jubilee Way. Ignoring the path back to Toller Porcurum, I continue on to Toller Fratrum.
Toller Fratrum is a small hamlet and I get the chance to explore the delightful tiny church of St Basil before returning to the Westerly track back to Toller Porcorum, The homeward leg gives me the opportunity of enjoying some stunning landscape views as well as a wander along part of the disused railway track.
It was a glorious Autumnal day although the low sun was a challenge at times - trying to prevent sun glare on the camera!
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 a GOPRO HERO 7, 8 or 10 Black Action Camera (sometimes with a Gimbal) & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.
TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN OS MAP!
1) From church, walk over railway bridge and along to end of Toller Porcorum High Street. At bend in road just after “Toller Porcorum” board, turn down “Toller Fratrum” footpath signed track. Before cantilever metal gate, take left “overgrown” footpath.
2) Descend downhill, over a stream & straight up on to grass track over a sedge field. See Ferndown Farm up ahead. Continue up along right hand hedge into narrowing corner right of the cottages. Go through gate & continue uphill on farm track. Pass bridleway arrows on right fence point.
3) Reach the left fork way bridleway arrow post half gate. Go through gate (on left) up & over a high field to gate on other side (to East). Go through that gate & another one then turn right & follow path alongside hedge (woods are on your left). At next gate, turn left downhill (steep) into a valley & cross wet area at bottom & climb other side. Go through gate and walk left (wood on left) over field aiming for corner roadside gate appearing left of a bar /trees.
4) Go on to road and immediately take left footpath back towards woods. Follow side of woods (Eastwards) until you come across a pair of finger posts. Ignore track back to Toller Porcorum but continue along ridge (to Toller Fratrum) past clumps of beech trees. Through end path gate and take “footpath” directly across field (it will not be an obvious path across the field!). Aim for church & look for a gate at end of field. Go through gate & follow sunken path (watch out for brambles) which continues downhill, through a field to a gate at the bottom of a farm track.
5) Go through gate & continue left along track BUT first turn right and after 100 yards spot a pretty thatched cottage on the left. Go up a track beside it to visit St Basil's church before heading back to the route. Follow the farm track Westwards, going under an aqueduct. Follow this track - it starts to bend uphill. It splits into a fork - follow the right hand fork which is now grass - uphill. Look out for a metal footpath gate on your right (well hidden) & go through that to follow a path across a field downhill. It crosses a stream. Go over stream & gate & head uphill.
6) Walk half left over field to corner stile with Toller Porcurum ahead. Over stile, walk down field to right corner footbridge & half gate. Go over and cross track to a kissing gate into a field corner. Cross to next kissing gate on other side of field (well hidden!). Go through & walk straight down into a thicket with left footbridge. Cross over to stile on to old railway track, Follow railway track left (it is a permissive path) & it takes you back into Toller Porcurum.

[@surfing982]

Thank you for your show

[@DaveFord]

Thanks for watching.

[@edwardgd2h303]

Another great walk in a lovely area, keep it up

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Edward. :)

[@susantaylor927]

Thank you Dave and Logan for such a beautiful video! Just beautiful!😊 We loved all the Autumnal colours.... Sooo interesting too!

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Hello Dave. I’ll tell you what! If I was lucky enough to live in an old station, I would lay some track and maybe put a carriage or wagon on it. I didn’t know there was a line from Bridport to Maiden Newton. I loved that old cottage toward the end of the walk and also the chapel. The church in the opening scene was also beautiful inside.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lionel. I was quite taken by that little chapel.

[@surfing982]

My great grandfather was the gamekeeper at Rousdon manor from 1903 till 1924 Sam Edwards. I visited there 2007 and stayed at the gamekeepers cottage. Louise Brown.Just lovely

[@stephenlarking2247]

Great video, thanks Dave & Logan. Many years ago I stayed at Powerstock station when it was a B & B. I believe there are plans to develop that old line into a cycle/walkway but not much appears to be happening on that front sadly.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Stephen. it would be great if it could be developed into a walkway / cycleway for sure.

[@surfing982]

Lyme regis

[@PinnedonPlaces]

Another great walk with yourself and beautiful Logan! Lovely route around Dorchester, loving the scenery! Toller church was absolutely stunning, really beautiful stained glass windows, thanks for sharing, really enjoyed watching and walking along with you both!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks and indeed thank you for watching.

[@richardlongmuir8348]

Could stop myself from saying…..”BASIL,BASIL !! “ David have you thought of putting together a walking guide of your travels?

[@DaveFord]

That would certainly be an interesting idea Richard. Logan & I have come across some very interesting things along our journeys ..... and a few surprises as well!

[@truebrit3578]

Gret video. My father was headmaster at the village school in the mid-late 1960s. He also played that church organ on many occasions. I remember the railway well. There’s an excellent book on the railway line by the way ‘The Bridport Branch’ by Jackson & Tattershall.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. I must look out for that book - sounds interesting.

[@AlaineFrancis]

I used to holiday there every year at the farm ,shame you didn't film the "high street" i would have loved to see the farm now ,used to go on the little train and sat on the steps of the pub while the adults went in ,there was a kiosk connected to the pub where you could get a drink and crisps takeaway .

[@DaveFord]

Thank you for sharing your lovely memories Alaine.

[@PentoPelican]

Thanks a lot this is really important to me because I have just found out that I have family from that area way back and that is also where my family name comes from, I’m Australian by the way

[@DaveFord]

That is great that you have a family connection with the area. Thanks for watching.

[@jeanblemings5352]

Another magnificent well researched video I really enjoyed watching. So full of interest. Thank you.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Jean. I just loved that tiny church at Toller Fratrum!

[@RAX1Music]

What a lovely walk - I'll definitely do this one. Do you host guided walks, Dave? My wife and I woul certainly pay for a walk like this one with someone as knowledgeable and interesting as you!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Kev. I don't do guided walks I am afraid - just me & Logan pottering about ourselves (although the actual "filming process" can take a fair bit of time with a lot of "starting & stopping" - fortunately Logan is very patient!).

[@colindowkes7061]

Thank you Dave for another great video. Parts of Dorset are similar to the Yorkshire Wolds , with similar chalky soil. The village names in Dorset are so interesting , thanks for explaining what some of them mean .

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Colin. Some of these little villages have some lovely names for sure.

[@christinegibbins6105]

That was delight Dave and Logan, thank you. Love the old villages. Take care.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Christine. :)