Cerne Abbas
The village was selected as one of the top five villages and the only village in the West Country for the prestigious Country Life Magazine's 2004 award for England's Favorite Village. Cerne Abbas is located 8 miles North of Dorchester and 15 miles from the English Channel, and has a population of about 700 people. The village has an impressive array of shops including three fine pubs, two tearooms, a grocery store, antique shop, post office and several gift shops. Many historical sites are within a five minute walk from the cottage: the remains of the Benedictine Abbey founded in 987 AD, a fourteenth century tithe barn (now Barton Farm), St. Augustine's Well, Circa 600 AD, and St. Mary's Church, built about 1300 AD. On Abbey Street is the finest row of Tudor homes in Dorset. One of these, The Pitchmarket, was home to Thomas Washington -- Uncle of George Washington. The countryside is excellent for walking, with many footpaths and bridleways over the chalk hills and through secluded valleys. Only 15 miles away is The English Channel, with its seaside resorts, dramatic cliffs and sheltered coves awaiting exploration.