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Cerne Abbas

Cerne Abbas is a picturesque village in Dorset with a population of about 730 people. Best known for its hillside chalk drawing, the Cerne Abbas Giant, the village is also well worth a visit for its Benedictine abbey ruins, historic parish church, and sacred well.

The village of Cerne Abbas grew up around the Benedictine abbey, which was founded in 937 AD. At one time, virtually every inhabitant of Cerne Abbas worked for the abbey in one way or another. The abbey was closed and sold off by King Henry VIII as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. Cerne Abbas survived without the abbey as a market town, and became especially famous for its beer, the quality of which was attributed to the village's underground water.

The village went into decline after it was bypassed by the railways in the 19th century, and today Cerne Abbas is a quiet and exceedingly pleasant village with several pubs, shops, historical attractions and fine country walks. It appears as "Abbot's Cernal" in Thomas Hardy's fictional county of Wessex. There are accommodations available in the village, but Cerne Abbas also makes an easy day trip from Dorchester, Sherborne, Weymouth or Bournemouth.

Cerne Abbas Map A detailed, interactive city map of Cerne Abbas. Dorset Travel Forum Get travel advice and insider tips on Cerne Abbas and all of Dorset from fellow travelers. England Car Rentals Explore Cerne Abbas and anywhere else the road takes you with the freedom of your own rental car.

Cerne Abbas Giant This intriguing chalk figure of a club-wielding naked man may be a drawing of a fertility god, Hercules... or maybe Oliver Cromwell. Cerne Abbey The village of Cerne Abbas owes its existence to this Benedictine abbey founded in 987 AD. Interesting parts like the Abbot's Hall and guest house still stand. St. Augustine's Well A well said to have been blessed by St. Augustine himself, and to have healing properties. St. Mary's Church This lovely parish church was founded around 1300 by the abbey, to provide the growing village of Cerne Abbas with a place of worship.

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