Cerne Abbas situated in the valley of the River Cerne. The village of Cerne Abbas is a beautiful little North-West Dorset village, located midway between the holiday town, of Bridport and the County Town of Dorchester. The village owes it existents to the great Benedictine abbey, which was founded here in AD987. The great Abbey dominated the area for over 500 years: until Henry the V111 broke with Rome and instituted the reformation. The reformation striped the Roman Catholic Church of any influence in England, and confiscated the Church's land, and wealth. The Abbey was surrendered to Henry VIII in 1539, and was largely destroyed. But it is still possible to visit what remains of the Abbot's Porch, and St Augustine's Well, reputedly blessed by the saint; the well can be found situated in a peaceful, if damp, spot in a corner of the cemetery. Legend say's that the monks claimed that they met some shepherds who claimed to prefer water to beer? The saint allegedly struck the ground with his staff crying out "Cerno El" (meaning "I percieve God" but also a pun on the village's name at the time, Cernel) and as his staff hit the ground water gushed out.. St Mary's Church, which was  built by the Abbey for the parish in the late 13th Century, remains the heart of the parish, and retains many original features.

For  centuries  the village thrived as a small market town. Its wealth was partly generated by brewing, its underground water made it famous for the quality of its beer, which was sold as far afield as London and was even exported to the Americas. At one time Cerne Abbas boasted no fewer than 14 public houses, serving visitors and a population of about 1500!. Water-power also gave rise to milling, tanning, silk weaving, glove and hat making and many other small industries. The coming of the railways in the 19th century bypassed Cerne Abbas and the village went into decline. By 1906 the population had halved and many of the houses had fallen into disrepair. However, in 1919 the village was sold off by the Pitt-Rivers estate who owned it. Cerne Abbas regenerated it's-self and it is now a bustling community of over 700 people.

The Cerne Abbas Giant, alongside the Abbey, the Cerne Abbas giant is a major tourist attraction. It is a 55 meter high (180ft) naked figure carved into the chalk hillside, and its origin has historians split, some believe it is of a fertility symbol dating from the Iron Age, while other historians believe this can not be true, as the monks of the old Abbey would not have tolerated such a symbol on their doorstep, some historians go even further and say the giant is a parody of puritanical Oliver Cromwell, either way, one thing is certain the giant's sex it is definitely male, and this conclusion was not reached by the massive wicked club in the giants hand?. Whoever is right, about its origins. what is not in doubt is the Giant is a very interesting talking point amongst visitors.

To-day Cerne Abbas is a small friendly Dorsetshire village that warmly welcomes visitors. Abbey Street is one of the most handsome in Dorset. The jettied houses are thought to have been built by the Abbey around the 15 century. Originally these were reproduced on both sides of the street and along its entire length. The lovely village church St Marys was built in AD 1300. There are three nice traditional pubs, and several restaraunt's, one of the pubs, being the originally named The Giant Inn. Cerne Abbas also has several small shops selling souvenirs, naturally of the local attraction the mysterious Cerne Abbas giant, For the walker's either serious, or just someone out for a stroll in the beautiful countryside, there are numerous well sign posted walks. Yes you can retrace the steps of Thomas Hardy through the Dorsetshire countryside, that the famous author, loved so much. If peace and tranquility in a beautiful, historical setting is the holiday for you, then Cerne Abbas certainly provides both in abundance.

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