In our time at Cerne Abbas we came to realize it is a special little place. It is different from all the other small villages in Dorset. It has a rich history like many U.K. villages do. Pubs? It has three. Perhaps other villages may have more (I can’t confirm this). A beautiful little church? Yes, it has one of those too! But it has more than just those basic ingredients needed for any quaint village. The character of Cerne Abbas comes alive in its day to day delights.

The hub of Cerne Abbas is the store. Tourists come to see the Abbot’s Porch or the Giant but the store is where the locals meet. The staff are lovely and ready to help with anything. They have the stock of a conventional shopping market with all the local produce you would crave from your own garden or Farmers’ Market. The number one tip I can give is to get there early for the pasties, croissants, or pain au chocolat. They sell out quickly. Call ahead to reserve the pasties for pick up if you can’t be there early..

Now if you have taken my advice and purchased the perfect pasties then you have lunch and are prepared for a hike on the trails. Buy the Cerne Abbas guide from the store to aid you in planning your hike. These guides aren’t just directions moving you from spot 1 to 2. They have side notes giving depth to the area. One map tells about about the suspected cockfighting pit from centuries ago. Another map takes you up the Ridgeway so you can see the village from a different perspective. They will help you find great views and learn the local quirky history.

The Cerne Abbas Brewery sits just south of the town. It can be accessed by footpath either through the local community gardens or by taking the path past the Tithe barn. They carry 7 different beers most made from local in gradients like watercress. It is better than it sounds. They make great beer, host frequent concerts, and serve up reportedly great food.

Looking for more beer adventures? Then go to church! The congregation of St. Mary the Virgin celebrates Lammas day. Otherwise known as Loaf Mass day it is a celebration of the fruits of the harvest. Wheat, bread, and beer are brought up to the alter and thanks are given for the harvest and those that made it possible. Afterwards they will feed you a ploughman’s lunch with bread, cheese, and Cerne Abbas Brewery beer. We also made corn dollies by braiding wheat. The big bonus here is that you still get to hear the word of God. Amen to that!

Did someone mention a pirate grave? (I just did in the caption above) My favourite English village has a pirate grave. Does yours? Not only will a walk through the graveyard show you the headstone of a pirate’s grave but it will also take you to St. Augustine’s well. The legend states that St. Augustine (Patron Saint of Brewers) struck the ground at this site and water flowed from it. He did this after asking some shepherds if they wanted beer or water. They chose water. I’m not judging them. It has since been a place of pilgrimage and one of the reasons that Cerne Abbey is located near by.

These are a few examples of how the village of Cerne Abbas is unique. One of the things that kept Dorset county and Cerne Abbas as pristine as it is, is a lack of coal. This means it was left virtually untouched by the industrial revolution. While the area was poorer during the industrial revolution it is now richer in pre-Victorian history now.

Correct me in the comments below if you know better than me. I don’t think it possible to find a village as lovely, hip, or with so much character in all of the U.K.. If you REALLY want to prove me wrong simply pay for me to come and live in your town for a month or two. Maybe you can change my mind.