Pictures of Dorchester Abbey

a Abbey in the town of Dorchester-on-Thames, in the county of Oxfordshire

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About Dorchester Abbey

The wonderful abbey church of St.Peter and St.Paul has a history stretching back to the year 634, but the church we see today with its choir separated from two side transepts by beautiful arcades, dates mainly 12th-century.

This church is the only remaining part of what was once an Augustinian abbey founded in 1140, and although its exterior is considered unimpressive, the interior shows a rich mixture of Norman and Gothic church architecture.

Of the windows in the church the window dominating the north aisle shows the Tree of Jesse, here the craftsman has made good use of the stonework to suggest the branches, and although unorthodox the window is highly impressive. The south window shows a vision of a funeral procession in its lower part, and the glorious large east window.

Amongst other church treasures to admire is the 13th-century stained rounded roundel to St Birinus, founder of the original Saxon cathedral, the ornamental canopies over senior clergy seating, 14th-century frescoes in the Peoples chapel, and there is a unique 12th-century lead font, and a rare effigy of a Crusader Knight lying on his back attempting to draw his sword. This a very detailed "action" effigy, showing the knight's face contorted with pain.

There is a tea room and an interesting museum located in the adjacent guest house. The museum recalls the heritage of Dorchester, and its beautiful abbey church - it is well worth visiting
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Dorchester Abbey.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Dorchester Abbey

Abingdon Abbey	(5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Abingdon Museum	(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction W)	Pictures
Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Museum	(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Shotover Country Park	(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction N)	Pictures
Nuffield Place	(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
The Kilns	(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction N)	Pictures
Botanic Gardens of Oxford	(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Bate Collection of Musical Instruments	(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Christ Church Picture Gallery	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Museum of Modern Art	(8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in Oxfordshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Dorchester Abbey

Dorchester-on-Thames, a Historic Market Town in the county of Oxfordshire (0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
This is a delightful village set beside the River Thames at a point where the historic river is joined by the lesser known River...
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Clifton Hampden, in the county of Oxfordshire (2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction W)
This is a popular Thames side village which was the choice of Jerome K. Jerome for a setting for one of the riotous scenes of his...
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Chislehampton, in the county of Oxfordshire (2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction N)
Dreamy village where the River Tame is crossed by a 16th-century stone bridge.
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Abingdon, a Historic Market Town in the county of Oxfordshire (5.6 miles, 8.9 km, direction W)
Interesting town, developed around the gates of an abbey founded in 675.
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Oxford, a Historic City in the county of Oxfordshire (8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction NW)
Oxford's fame is perhaps second only to Windsor, it is an acclaimed seat of learning with a University whose first college was founded in 1249, almost half a century after the first charter granted to the town by Henry II.
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East Hendred, in the county of Oxfordshire (8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction SW)
East Hendred is one of the spring line villages nestling just below the Downs in the Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire.
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Nettlebed, a Picturesque Village in the county of Oxfordshire (9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction SE)
Nettlebed is a lovely English village in the heart of rural Oxfordshire.
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Beckley, in the county of Oxfordshire (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction N)
The village lies in spacious countryside within a short distance of the River Ray where there is boating and fishing.
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Thame, in the county of Oxfordshire (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction NE)
Thame is an ancient market town whose charter was granted by Wulfhere, King of Mercia. It was later mentioned in the Doomsday...
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Long Crendon, a Picturesque Village in the county of Buckinghamshire (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction NE)
Long Crendon is a picture postcard village of thatched cottages hung with rich foliage strung out through a myriad of winding...
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All towns in Oxfordshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Culham Station	(3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction W)
Appleford Station	(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction W)
M40 Junction 8	(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction NE)
M40 Junction 7	(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction NE)
London Heathrow Airport	(33.0 miles, 53.1 km, direction E)
London Luton Airport	(37.4 miles, 60.2 km, direction NE)
Dorchester Abbey to London	(45.7 miles, 73.5 km, direction E)

Accommodation & Hotels near Dorchester Abbey

Hotel Name
Fleur De Lys Inn	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
The George Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
White Hart Hotel	(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction NE)
The Plough At Clifton Hampden	(2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction W)
The George Hotel	(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction SE)
Kingfisher Barn Holiday Cottages	(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction W)
The Upper Reaches	(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction W)
The Bat & Ball Inn	(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction N)
The Springs Hotel & Golf Club	(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction S)
Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel	(6.1 miles, 9.7 km, direction W)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts