Buckland Newton: The Holy Rood

Cerne Abbas: St Mary

St Mary's is the Parish Church for Cerne Abbas in Dorset. It is a living church, open during daylight hours (or until about 5pm when it's light later) year-round. Come in to learn about the history of the village (boards in the tower room), say a prayer and/or light a candle, join in with one of our many concerts or other musical events, have a coffee and a slice of cake (1st Wednesday of the month), ring the bells (practice 7pm most Thursdays), 'Come and Play' with the toddler group (Mondays at 9.30am), work on a handwork project with the Crafty Ladies (Mondays at 2pm), or attend a service. Regular services are listed on this website, and special services are highlighted on the church's Facebook page 'Cerne Abbas St Mary's Church'.

We also celebrate seasonal events (5th January, 1st February, 1st May) at the Silver Well or at the Vicarage. The church fete is the afternoon of the first Saturday in July.

The Friends of St Mary's organise events including concerts throughout the year. www.cernechurchfriends.org.uk

The Cerne Music Festival (featuring chamber music from the Gaudier Ensemble) takes place every summer. www.cerneabbasmusicfestival.org.uk

The Cerne Giant Festival (strapline: Celebrating Humanity in the Landscape) takes place during late April/early May. www.CerneGiantFestival.org.

Godmanstone: Holy Trinity

Tucked away opposite the Smith's Arms down Church Lane, this is a gem of an ancient parish church. The chancel arch is a Norman dogtooth arch, and supporting it on the south side is a Roman altar stone, with Roman writing still visible. Has there been a place of worship here that long?

Minterne Magna: St Andrew

The small late medieval church of St. Andrew has an early 17th century north chapel and a tower from around 1800, heightened when the whole church was later restored. Due to its proximity to the big house, there are a number of interesting memorials. The magnificent Napier memorial is in the north aisle. The earliest known monuments of the Churchill family (including a 17thC Winston) are in the nave aisle by the chancel step. On the north wall is a monument to the younger brother of the Churchill for whom a grateful nation built Blenheim Palace. On the south wall is a memorial to Henry Digby, who commanded the HMS Africa at the Battle of Trafalgar.