St. Mary the Virgin Cerne Abbas
Cerne Abbas was once one of the most important towns in Dorset. It owes its origins to the presence of the great abbey founded there in 987 by Ethelmar, Earl of Devon and Cornwall, but during the C19 the railways went elsewhere with the inevitable result that it withered commercially.
Nevertheless, the town is a most appealing place set in its own beautiful fold in the chalk hills and blessed with some exquisite half-timbered buildings, which nowadays attract tourists from all over the world. All that remains of the great abbey, which was dissolved in 1539, is a gate house with a most impressive oriel window. Slightly outside the settlement is the famous Cerne Giant cut into the chalk on the side of a hill.
The Trust gratefully acknowledges images and text by Robin Adeney ©
Grants
Churches Nearby
| Ref | Title | Town | Postcode | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Mary the Virgin | Cerne Abbas | DT2 7JQ | 0 | |
| All Saints (Redundant) | Nether Cerne | DT2 7AJ | 1 | |
| Church | Up Cerne | DT2 7AW | 1 | |
| St. Pancras | Alton Pancras | DT2 7RW | 2 | |
| The Holy Rood | Buckland Newton | DT2 7BX | 3 | |
| St. Andrew | Minterne Magna | DT2 7AZ | 3 | |
| All Saints | Piddletrenthide | DT2 7QR | 3 | |
| St. Nicholas | Sydling St. Nicholas | DT2 9PA | 3 | |
| St Nicholas | Hillfield | DT2 7BA | 4 | |
| St. Mary | Hermitage | DT2 7BB | 4 | |
| St. Mary | Batcombe | DT2 7BG | 4 | |
| St. Quintin | Frome Saint Quintin | DT2 0HF | 4 | |
| St. Mary the Virgin | Piddlehinton | DT2 7TE | 4 | |
| St. Mary the Virgin | Glanvilles Wootton | DT9 5QE | 4 | |
| Saint Mary's | Frampton | DT2 9ND | 5 | |
| Church | Stratton | DT2 9RU | 5 | |
| St Peter and St Paul | Cattistock | DT2 0JG | 5 | |
| St Mary | Maiden Newton | DT2 0AA | 5 | |
| Chapel | Lyscombe | DT2 7PB | 5 | |
| Holy Trinity | Chilfrome | DT2 0HA | 5 |