Experience the charm of a Dorset seaside village when vacationing in Abbotsbury. This pretty village sits nestled amid the glorious countryside of southern England’s UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast. Teahouses line ancient streets, architectural wonders sit on hilltops and trails lead to a striking beach. Delight in attractions for all ages surrounded by an area of natural beauty that inspired the works of novelist Thomas Hardy.
Wander along Rodden Row, a lane decorated with stone and thatched-roof cottages that date to the 1500s and 1600s. Many of the cottages are private residences while others house the galleries of local artists. Find other attractive stone buildings, including the Victorian-era Strangeways Hall, along Market Street. Enjoy the welcoming ambiance of a pub and sample a quintessential cream tea at a teahouse.
Remnants of Abbotsbury Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century, lay scattered around the village. See two medieval sarcophagi and ruined abbey walls in the churchyard of St. Nicholas Church. Visit the hilltop St. Catherine’s Chapel, erected by monks as a place of pilgrimage and once part of the abbey. Views from the chapel reach over coastal and undulating green landscapes.
Bring the children to Abbotsbury Swannery. Established by monks, it’s the world’s only visitable nesting ground for mute swans. Another option for a family day out is Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens where you can wander around the exotic flower displays, sunken gardens and woodland trails.
A section of the South West Coast Path connects the village outskirts with Chesil Beach. Bask in the solitude of this shingle beach, spot seabirds and watch anglers fish for mackerel. Follow the coastal path inland to Abbotsbury Castle to see the relics of an Iron Age fort.
Abbotsbury is a 10-minute drive from Weymouth, which you can reach by train from Bournemouth, Bristol and London. The coastal setting and marked pathways make it a paradise for walkers. Visit other quaint village, such as Littlebredy and Portesham, on foot.
