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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

St David's Cathedral

Pembroke

in the county of Pembrokeshire

Hotel at St. Ives Bay, Cornwall

St Ives

a Seaside Town in the county of Cornwall

Pictures of Dorchester Abbey

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

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

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Recommended towns & villages near Dorchester Abbey

Another fabulous thatched house in Clifton Hampden

Clifton Hampden (28 Pictures)

a Picturesque Village 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 "Three Men in a Boat" and it is easy to see just.....

St Mary the Virgin, Ewelme, Oxfordshire

Ewelme (52 Pictures)

a Picturesque Village in the county of Oxfordshire

(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction SE)

Ewelme is a quiet place particularly noted for its historic parish church...

The old town hall, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, now home to Abindon Museum

Abingdon (98 Pictures)

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...

The 'Kilns'

Oxford (771 Pictures)

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...

The Ridgeway - East Hendred

East Hendred (61 Pictures)

a Picturesque Village 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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Complete A to Z of towns in England

Recommended attractions near Dorchester Abbey

Abingdon Abbey - July 2009

Abingdon Abbey (16 Pictures)

(5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction W)

Abingdon Abbey was founded in 675 and demolished following Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries. During the life of the.....

Abingdon Museum (Old Berkshire County Hall), Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

Abingdon Museum (6 Pictures)

(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction W)

Abingdon museum is housed in the centre of this ancient town in the spectacular 17th century County Hall. It includes displays.....

Distant views of Cowley, Oxfordshire.

Shotover Country Park (52 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction N)

Shotover Country Park covers 117 hectares on the southern slopes of Shotover Hill, and is very popular with walkers, joggers, dog.....

A picture of Nuffield Place

Nuffield Place (2 Pictures)

(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction SE)

Nuffield Place is the former home (1933-63) of Lord Nuffield who was the founder of Morris Motors. The house is a rare survival.....

Home of C.S. Lewis

The Kilns (23 Pictures)

(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction N)

C S Lewis' former home known today throughout the world as the Kilns was built in 1922. The area surrounding it was in fact a.....


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