Heritage Britain

Abbeys and Priories in Dorset, England.


Sherborne Castle

Dorset is often known as ‘Thomas Hardy country’ as the writer immortalised the county in his books. ‘Casterbridge’ was based on Dorchester the county town, for example, and his cottage is open to visitors. This is a land of small thatched cottages and quiet back roads and, without a large conurbation, Dorset is little changed in centuries. The warmth of the local people with their curious dialect belies a certain turbulent past with memories of the ‘Bloody Azzizes’ of Judge Jeffreys and the ruins of Corfe Castle standing as spectacular reminders. The Purbeck hills that surround Corfe are both rugged and beautiful and stretch to a chalk-cliffed coast. Historic house builders have left their distinctive marks at places like medieval Athelhampton, Cranborne Manor with its wonderful gardens and Sherborne Castle (home of Sir Walter Raleigh).

Abbeys and Priories in Dorset

Blandford
Milton Abbey Church
Christchurch
Christchurch Priory Church

Sherborne
The Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin

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