The River
Toller Way
The River Toller Way is a one-day guided pilgrimage event, following a Dorset river from source to confluence.
April 25th 2026 + May 16th 2026 + June 6th 2026
Tickets £85 (max nine pilgrims)
River Toller (aka Hooke) rises and runs through some of the quietest and most beautiful landscapes in South England, a gently bucolic path of peace and plenty. For much of the journey, you will be hard pressed to hear a car.
This 9.5 mile pilgrimage begins at the river’s source, from where we will (with song and silver) draw water. We then walk slowly along her path, pausing to drop pure spring water back into the river at every opportunity, to remind the river of her original risen form. We also offer this source water to the fonts of all the ancient churches we meet, of which there are four (with the potential for a fifth).
Come join this flowing journey through old slow England, a meander along ancient paths to which modernity has not yet caught up.
A January Recce Along the Toller Way
The above journey was made in the depths of winter, so expect a far greener path when we walk in April/May/June.
Also, the culmination at the confluence will be in daylight, and we can get much closer to the joining waters…
What to Expect
A gentle riverside pilgrimage through old England, learning about holy water, sacred song, herblore, history, and the forgotten lore of English pilgrimage.
Distance
9.5 miles - not a short way, but we shall walk slowly all day
Dates
Saturday April 25th - May 16th 2026 - June 6th 2026
Times
10:00am - 6:00pm
Location
We meet at Maiden Newton train station at 10am, where taxis will be waiting to take us to the start of the river, from where we shall slowly walk back.
Where we walk
We meet at Maiden Newton train station, where car-parking is available all day. Fom here, taxis will take us to our start point at Toller Whelme.
Here we will meet the source of River Toller (aka Hooke), where after gifts of song and silver we will draw water, to purify and drink (if desired).
We then meet the church of St John at Toller Whelme, where we will offer the source water to its font.
Our pilgrimage then progresses along the river, via the churches of Hooke, Toller Porcorum, and Toller Fratrum.
Our journey ends at the River’s confluence with River Frome in Maiden Newton.
FAQ
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.
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The pilgrimage is 9.5 miles, over relatively easy ground, requiring moderate walking fitness. We will stop often and move slowly.
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There are trains to Maiden Newton, and car-parking is available in the village. We will take a taxi from here to the source of the river, and then walk back.
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Pilgrimage is as religious as you are. This journey is not aligned to a particular faith, except perhaps faith in water. But we will be visiting a bunch of Christian churches, as these are the local built holy places that have in some cases stood on site for over a thousand years. As local community temples, we’ll be using these places to be still, and connect internally with spirit of place.
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You’ll enjoy a whole day’s guidance along the path, with a hazel wood pilgrim staff to take home afterward. You’ll have expert pilgrimage guidance from a guide with over 20 years experience. You’ll be part of a small group of dedicated water pilgrims.
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We’ll be following the river Toller/Hooke from source to confluence, to signify our own life journey from borth to death (or at least, to our current moment). Along the way we’ll offer the river gifts of song and silver and silence, and give source water to the ancient fonts in churches along the path. There is no real scientific basis for this, but it is an act of ritual and gesture.
