St Catherine's Chapel Abbotsbury

St. Catherine's Chapel rests on a hill a short distance to the south-west of the village of Abbotsbury.  It is worth the effort to climb up to it because the views are spectacular.  Built in late 14c by the great abbey in the village and, although only 45 x 15 ft. internally, it is immensely strong with massive buttresses and thick walls, which support a stone tunnel-vaulted roof with eight transverse ribs.  A notice inside records the fact that once a year spinsters could pray to St. Catherine:

A husband, St. Catherine,A rich one, St Catherine,A nice one, St. Catherine,And soon, St Catherine!

Churches Nearby