Dorset's Cern Abbas Giant

dorsetcountrylife
May 22
3 min read

View from the car park of the Cerne Abbas Giant set on a hill in Dorset.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Dorset, England, the Cerne Abbas Giant is one of the Dorsets most intriguing landmarks. This colossal chalk figure, measuring around 180 feet tall, depicts a muscular, naked man holding a club, and has long been a subject of mystery and speculation. The giants exact origin remains uncertain, adding to its allure.

The Giant is carved into the hillside, and its striking appearance can be best appreciated from a distance. Surrounded by lush farmland and the picturesque village of Cerne Abbas, it’s a perfect spot for a scenic walk or a picnic with a view. While some theories suggest it could be the Roman god Hercules, others feel that he is a Pagan fertility symbol. Recent studies feel he is from Saxon times. Between AD 700 and 1100.

Visiting the Cerne Abbas Giant is not just about seeing a piece of history; it’s an experience. The Giant is part of the rich tapestry of Dorset’s heritage and offers a glimpse into the mysterious and sometimes whimsical past of this beautiful region. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a unique adventure, the Cerne Abbas Giant is a must-see attraction in Dorset.

Today we went on a lovely walk to visit this true gems, and the beautiful village of Cerne Abbas. We parked in the free car park with a view of the Cerne giant, and strolled into the village. The Cerne Giant at its 180ft high carved out on a steep hillside is in easy walking distance of the village.

The Giant Inn, one of the three pubs in the village of Cerne Abbas.

There are a multitude of beautiful walks in this area to suit most people.

The village itself is very pretty with three pubs, one The New Inn is an old coaching inn and was used by the mail coaches until 1855.

The village has lots of little shops from a convenience store to “The Old Saddler” that sells craft kits, souvenirs,clothes and fabric.

The village is very well kept and full of charm. If you walk past the church you come to the old mill pond, a fresh underground water supply that was used to brew beer . And you can still buy beers brewed by the Cerne Abbas brewery but I’m unsure if the same water supply is used.

The mill pond late spring and early summer is always teeming with tadpoles, and while we were looking over the millpond and musing over the shear amount of tadpoles we noticed two young grass snakes hunting the tadpole. They feasted for sometime before disappearing into the weeds of the pond.

Past the mill pond is the Abbey House; you can walk the gardens for a small fee. The Abbey House is one of many grade one listed buildings in Cerne Abbas. And there is a gateway on the right of the Abbey House that leads to the graveyard and a further gate on the other side of the graveyard that leads you to some beautiful walking areas.

Keep left across the field and you are able to get to the base of the Cerne giant. Although you are not permitted on the giant itself, you can climb the hill next to it. If you go to the right out of the graveyard there are some lovely shady walks.

Well worth a visit as it’s a very quaint and quintessential English village.