# Cerne Abbey

> Cerne Abbey (also known as Cerne Abbas Abbey) is a Grade I listed historic estate and former Benedictine monastery in Cerne Abbas, Dorset, England. It was founded in 987 AD and is privately owned by the Fulford-Dobson family. The grounds are open to visitors daily from 9am to 8pm (last admission 7pm). Admission is £5 for adults; children under 16 are free. Two notable medieval buildings survive: the 15th-century Guest House (1458–1471) and the Tudor Abbot's Porch (c.1497–1509). The estate is about 7 miles north of Dorchester on the A352, a short walk from the National Trust's Cerne Abbas Giant (a separate site the abbey does not own or manage).

## Key facts
- Address: Abbey Street, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7JQ, United Kingdom
- Founded: 987 AD by Aethelmaer the Stout; Benedictine monastery; surrendered in the 1539 Dissolution of the Monasteries
- Listing: Grade I listed (Historic England list entry 1323849)
- Opening hours: daily, 9am–8pm (last admission 7pm)
- Admission: adults £5; under-16s free
- Dogs: welcome in the grounds, on leads
- Contact: info@cerneabbey.com · +44 7967 326868

## Visiting
- [Plan Your Visit](https://www.cerneabbey.com/visit/): opening times, admission, parking and accessibility.
- [Things to Do in Cerne Abbas](https://www.cerneabbey.com/cerne-abbas/): the village — three historic pubs, the shop, the brewery, St Mary's Church and St Augustine's Well.
- [Visiting the Cerne Abbas Giant](https://www.cerneabbey.com/cerne-abbas-giant/): how to see the National Trust chalk hill figure (free) and combine it with the abbey.
- [Dorset Countryside & Walks](https://www.cerneabbey.com/dorset-countryside/): the Cerne Valley, the Dorset National Landscape, and walks near Cerne Abbas.
- [FAQs](https://www.cerneabbey.com/faq/): answers on parking, tickets, opening times, dogs and the Giant.

## History and buildings
- [History of Cerne Abbey](https://www.cerneabbey.com/history/): the 987 founding, the Dissolution, the Book of Cerne and notable figures.
- [About Cerne Abbey](https://www.cerneabbey.com/about-cerne-abbey/): the estate today, owned by the Fulford-Dobson family.
- [The Guest House](https://www.cerneabbey.com/guest-house/): a rare surviving 15th-century monastic guest house.
- [The Abbot's Porch](https://www.cerneabbey.com/abbots-porch/): a Tudor monastic gatehouse with carved heraldry and an oriel window.

## Visitor and hire services
- [Private Tours](https://www.cerneabbey.com/private-tours/): owner-led guided tours for groups of 8 to 65, with coach and cruise-ship groups welcome.
- [Weddings](https://www.cerneabbey.com/weddings/): exclusive-use wedding venue, with St Mary's Church 150m away for ceremonies.
- [Venue Hire](https://www.cerneabbey.com/venue-hire/): private events, corporate gatherings and drinks receptions for up to 150 guests.
- [Filming & Photoshoot Location](https://www.cerneabbey.com/filming-location/): a private historic location for period drama, editorial and photography.
- [Accommodation](https://www.cerneabbey.com/accommodation/): a self-catering cottage and a bed-and-breakfast room inside the main Abbey House.
- [Contact](https://www.cerneabbey.com/contact/): enquiries and bookings.