63
q Sherborne
Dorset; DT9 3NL
The chief glory of this charming stone
town is Sherborne Abbey, a fine
example of Perpendicular architecture
whose fan-vaulted ceiling is studded
with colourful bosses depicting such
images as a mermaid, an owl and a
dog with a bone. To the east of town
stand the ruined Old Castle (late Mar–
Oct: open daily), dating from the 12th
century, and the New Castle (late Mar–
Oct: open Tue–Thu & Sun; Sat pm), built for
Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, with grand
state rooms, a Tudor kitchen and now
with parkland by “Capability” Brown.Above Sherborne Abbey, featuring Saxon,
Norman and Perpendicular architectureAbove The chalk carving of the Cerne Giant,
possibly a fertility symbol
9 Maiden Castle
Dorset; DT1 2AB, DT2 8QJ
Prehistoric Maiden Castle (open daily) is
the largest Iron-Age hillfort in Europe.
The vast and complex structure of 6-
m (20-ft) ramparts and trenches is
DRIVE 4: Hardy Country and the Jurassic Coast
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £50DAY TRIP OPTIONS
Dorchester and Swanage are both
good bases for exploring the
coastline, beaches and museums.Jurassic Adventure
Spend a morning at Dorchester’s 8
Dinosaur Museum and Dorset County
Museum, pack a picnic and head toWeymouth 6 for some fossil-hunting
on Chesil Beach or Portland – keep
away from the cliffs. If time make a trip
to Abbotsbury 7 with its children’s
farm and swannery.
Weymouth is on the A354 from
Dorchester, then use the B3157 for
Chesil Beach; return as per drive.Coast and Castles
From Swanage 1 , ride a steam train
before lunching at Worth Matravers 2.
Then head on to Corfe Castle 3 and
Wareham 4 , and finish the day off at
Lulworth Cove 5 or Durdle Door.
Take the A351, B3069, A351 and B3070;
skip Wareham, if short of time.0 Cerne Abbas
Dorset; DT2 7JF
Amid the timbered, golden houses of
Cerne Abbas stands St Mary’s Church,
dating from the 13th century and
boasting a rare stone chancel screen.
However, the village is most famous
for the Cerne Giant, a chalk carving on
a hillside north of the village. Little is
known about the origins of the 55-m
(180-ft) figure, wielding a club and
proudly displaying his manhood. It
was first recorded in 1694, though
some historians believe it dates from
around 190 AD, possibly depicting
Hercules – it has long been the site of
fertility rituals. To view it, turn up Duck
St from Long St, following signs for
the Giant and a parking area.
ª Turn right out of the viewing area,
on the A352, signed Sherborne. Follow
signs to Abbey and park opposite.EAT AND DRINKDORCHESTER
Potters inexpensive
This casual but smart café offers a
healthy selection of home-cooked food,
from snack lunches to cakes.
19 Durngate St, DT1 1JP; 01305 260 312
Judge Jeffreys inexpensive
Great Italian cuisine is served in this
former residence of the infamous Judge
Jeffreys, with panelled dining areas.
6 High West St, DT1 1UJ; 01305 259
678; http://www.prezzoplc.co.uk
The Fridge inexpensive
Blue Vinny cheese, Dorset Apple Cake
and other local specialities are stocked
in this award-winning delicatessen.
17 Tudor Arcade, DT1 1BN; 01305 269
088; http://www.thefridge.biz
SHERBORNE
Aspire 2 Eat inexpensive
Close to the Abbey, this bistro/wine bar
serves dishes such as mushroom risotto,
grilled goat’s cheese and crab tagliatelle.
Digby Rd, DT9 3NL; 01935 389 666;
http://www.aspire2eat.co.uk
The Green moderate
Sophisticated modern European
cuisine is featured in this semi-formal
restaurant where all the ingredients
are fresh and locally sourced.
3 The Green, DT9 3HY; 01935 813 821now all grassed over but the
undulating banks vividly evoke the
ancient fortification (450–300 BC),
overcome by the Romans in AD 43.
ª Return to A35, heading east
around Dorchester, turn left on B3150
and right on B3143. At Piddletrenthide,
turn left, following signs for Cerne
Abbas, up a narrow, steep lane.following it to the Roman Town House
0 (open daily). The ruins reveal the
elaborate heating system and mosaic
floors. At the end of Northernhay, turn
left into The Grove, and on to a statue
of Thomas Hardy. Cross The Grove and
walk up Bridport Rd to the fascinating
Keep Military Museum (^) q (Apr–Sep:
open Mon–Sat; Oct–Mar: open Tue–Sat),
revealing the history of local army
regiments. From here, return to High
West St to see a fragment of Roman
Wall w by Princes St. Cross here and
follow West Walks, turning right at the
end then left into Cornwall Rd; cross
Gt Western Rd into Maumbury Rd, and
head to the Maumbury Rings e, a
Neolithic henge, then a Roman amphi-
theatre and later a place of public
execution. Return on Weymouth Ave
to South Walks Rd, back to the car park.
ª Head south on Weymouth Ave,
turning off right on Maiden Castle Rd.