Walking:

Around the village, which is very pretty throughout the year. Most of the cottages are Grade II listed so there is a conformity of classic stone buildings, a couple of chapels now used as artists’ studio/workshops, a village shop and post office open seven days a week, and a farm shop as well as several teashops, craft studios and home and garden shops.

St Catherine’s Chapel, silhouetted on the hill behind Abbotsbury village, with great views over the Fleet and the ocean. Approached from Chapel Lane in the centre of the village leading up the hill for a twenty minute stroll. On a good day you can see Portland lighthouse. Try singing inside, there is such a lovely acoustic that many local choirs visit to sing for their own pleasure. There are occasional services or blessings, although the chapel is no longer consecrated.

The Chesil Beach, where fishermen catch mainly mackerel. This is not a safe place for paddling or swimming, but delightful to sit and enjoy the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the pebbles. Bait can be bought 7 days a week from Abbotsbury Fishing Tackle in Rodden Row.

The Jurassic Coastal Path between Weymouth and West Bay takes you along the beach or over the top of the famous cliffs featured in the TV series ‘Broadchurch’.

The Ridgeway Walk approached from Blind Lane leading from Back Street to a steep climb up a muddy track! This takes you via the earthworks of Abbotsbury Castle along a high ridge with great views of the landscape and sea. It descends across the Coast Road and then through fields to West Bexington’s coast, where you can walk back to Abbotsbury or join the coastal path toward Bridport.

Hardy Way so named for the author Thomas Hardy, the walk runs through Wessex starting at Hardy’s birthplace, Lower Bockhampton, and finishing at Stinsford Churchyard, Dorchester, where Hardy is buried. The route follows the Jurassic coast path through Abbotsbury and on to Elworth hamlet just to the east of Abbotsbury and beyond.

Things for Children:
Free playground at the base of Chapel Hill approached via Chapel lane or Hannah’s Lane (please note no parking at the playground).
There are also several seasonal events, the most notable being; The Giant Easter Egg Hunt (sub-tropical gardens), Halloween (sub-tropical gardens) and the Bonfire Night with magnificent fireworks (Village car park).
There are also the well known tourist attractions of the Sub-Tropical Gardens (open all year).
Look out also for various events in the Strangways Village Hall and St. Nicholas Church – see home page for details.