Footscape Holidays

Cerne Abbas Independent Walking Holiday

Cerne Abbas is one of Dorset’s most beautiful and historic villages, and is surrounded by gorgeous countryside. It has a general store, three very pleasant pubs, the ruins of its medieval abbey, a tithe barn, a church and houses dating from the early 16th century and, of course, its famous "Cerne Giant". It is a gem of a place to spend a short holiday. 

You can choose your own dates for this walking holiday or short weekend break (up to 3 days of walks), subject to room availability. Each trail is approximately 10 miles (16 kms) in length.

Cerne Abbas is a short taxi ride from Sherborne or Dorchester railway stations, which are reached from London in around 2½ hours.

About the walk

Each of our three trails (moderate) starts in the village and goes through scenic, rolling countryside. On one day, after a stop (if you wish) at a very  pleasant village pub, you head for Minterne Magna, where, in the 17th century, the first Sir Winston Churchill lived. You will have the time to see the house (from the outside) and visit the beautiful and little known Minterne Gardens before completing the round walk back to Cerne Abbas via the Giant.

The second trail is mostly a ridge walk along an old drover’s path, with a choice of village pubs on the way. You end up in Dorchester, the Casterbridge of Thomas Hardy’s novels, with its excellent museum and other sites of interest. A local bus will bring you back to Cerne Abbas.

On the third day you will walk across the Piddle valley and beyond - from one picturesque village to another - along open paths with sweeping rural views to a welcoming and excellent old pub, before joining the Wessex Ridgeway for the return to Cerne Abbas.

Accommodation and services

Your accommodation is in the heart of Cerne Abbas, either in a village inn or a B&B, both of a good standard and full of character. We will give you a holiday pack comprising our detailed Cerne Abbas Trail Guide, the relevant ordnance survey map with the Footscape trail highlighted and all other information that you will need.

Trail Highlights

• Cerne Abbas, with its Abbey ruins, medieval tithe barn and attractive streets
• The Cerne Giant
• Minterne Gardens
• A series of pretty villages, each with an attractive church and pub
• The historic county town of Dorchester, with its museums and Roman remains.