Monday 13 June 2016

Cerne Abbas, Dorset,


From this unpretentious, independent pub on the high street of one of England's loveliest villages, you can strike out in almost any direction for a beautiful country walk. My advice would be to head up Abbey Street, through the graveyard, across the meadow (where one of England's great abbeys once stood, before Henry VIII did for it), and then climb the chalk hill on which Cerne's famous naked giant is carved out. From there you can walk along the ridgeway, through what was once a prehistoric settlement, then drop back down along the "priest path" – past a medieval lime kiln – to the Giant Inn (01300 341441,thegiantinncerneabbas.co.uk). Inside there's a fire in winter, good beer, and traditional scampi-and-chips-style fare.Cerne Abbas is located six and half miles north of Dorchester on the A352. A Benedictine Abbey was founded in the area in the 9th century and the remains of the imposing 15th century gatehouse and a 14th century barn are still standing. 
Cerne Abbas sits beside the River Cerne and was once a thriving market town, before their decline in the 19th century there was a malt house and tannery which made leather goods like gloves and sandals.
Today Cerne Abbas is very famous for the Cerne Abbas Giant. The giant is 182 feet tall and was first mentioned in 1742, fortunately throughout the years he has been well maintained but his origins are still unclear. He is thought to be a pagan fertility figure as the giant stands naked displaying his manhood and brandishing a club. His colossal figure is clearly seen marked in white on the chalk grass covered hillside. Apparently couples wishing to hear the patter of tiny feet still make night time journeys to the giant in the hope that he will work his fertility magic. 
A more sinister depiction of the giant is that he was one of the Druids brutal wicker men and that the vast figure was covered in a wicker framework in which humans were sacrificed.
Obviously when visiting this area a trip to view the giant is a must but stop a while in the village and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, wonderful buildings and the teashops. 

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