DorsetCERNEABBASStMary(garryknightCC-BY-2.0)1 GarryKnight

St Mary

St Mary's was built by the nearby abbey (of which the gatehouse remains at the top of the village street).

Cerne Abbas, Dorset

Opening times

Sorry, there are no regular opening times for this church.

Address

Abbey Street
Cerne Abbas
Dorset
DT2 7JQ

Largely 15th century in appearance, including an elegant tower, the church was originally built in the 1300s.

Above the west door is a stone carving of Mary and the infant Jesus. In the nave are elegant painted biblical texts, originally painted in 1679.

There is a 15th century rood screen, and the elaborate wooden pulpit with its tester dates from 1640.

Carved into the chalk hillside above the church is the world famous Cerne Abbas Giant, which may be prehistoric, or, as some local legends, say, may have been carved by a monk as a joke against a disgraced senior cleric.

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Parking within 250m

  • On street parking at church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

Holy Rood

Buckland Newton, Dorset

Set away from its village, Buckland's church looks unappealing at first because it is completely rendered on the outside.

St Mary Magdalene

Batcombe, Dorset

The epitome of a peaceful rural church standing on its own at the head of the beautiful and peaceful Wriggle Valley.