Sherborne Abbey from Cerne Abbas

Saturday 28th March 2026 - 14 miles / 7 hours

Sherborne Abbey was founded by St. Aldhelm in AD 705 and has developed from Saxon cathedral to the worshipping heart of a monastic community and, finally, to one England’s most beautiful parish churches, regarded by many as the 'Cathedral of Dorset'.

Our pilgrimage starts from another monastic centre, the Abbey of Cerne Abbas, of which only a few buildings of the monastery complex remain.  We climb up to join the Wessex Ridgeway to Hilfield Priory, a living Franciscan monastery.  Then its through quiet rural paths, away from villages or towns, until a stop for lunch at Leigh.

The afternoon takes us onwards to join the Macmillan Way through more attractive Dorset countryside, culminating with a descent into the historic town of Sherborne, finishing at the impressive Abbey.

Cost: £30.  We will organise transport back to Cerne Abbas.  There are no convenient pubs or cafes on this walk so you will need to bring your own lunch and refreshments.

Book here for this pilgrimage.