We had a light brekkie at Munden House, as we were going for a large lunch in Cerne Abbas.
The weather was not very accommodating as it poured most of the morning! We took the time to actually relax, do some reading and basically nothing…it was nice!
When the sun did threaten to come out I ran into the garden and took a few pictures of the back of the B&B.
When we arrived in Cerne Abbas, we were a bit early for lunch so we walked up Abbey Street to the Abbey.
Many of the buildings are obviously from Tudor times.
The door to the Pitchmarket.
The Abbey is at the top of Abbey Street.
About 1000 years ago, the Benedictine monks built the original abbey here in Cerne Abbas. Much of it was lost during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries.
This large building has portions dating back to then but is now a private home.
This building was the Abbot’s Guest house and was reserved for special visitors only!
This was the Abbot’s residence.
St. Mary’s Church is the local parish church in Cerne Abbas.
Here’s an example of the unique and somewhat humorous carvings on the church!
We had booked ahead for Sunday lunch at the Royal Oak in Cerne Abbas, as we had with Mom all those years ago.
Elaine had Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pud, while I had Roast Loin of Pork with Yorkshire Pud… was fabulous!
Brendan the publican took our picture while we’re about to feast on our Sticky Date Pudding dessert with hot toffee sauce. Yumm and more Yumm!
After our amazing Sunday lunch, we needed to take a walk, so we poked about many of the streets and lanes of Cerne Abbas.
On our way from Cerne Abbas to Sherborne, we took a small diversion to see the small town of Sydling St. Nicholas, which turned to be a hamlet and not very interesting.
The road had an actual ‘ford’ in it!
Sherborne was a very important market town during Medieval times. We parked at the south entrance to the town and walked up Cheap Street, which is the main shopping area and has many very old buildings.
Just by chance, we glanced down a side street running off from Cheap Street and saw a corner of what looked like some kind of church.
Little did we know that it was the Sherborne Abbey and Cathedral.
While the outside was impressive, we were totally unprepared for what we’d see inside!
My jaw literally dropped once we entered through the doors and took a look down the length of the cathedral and then let my eyes lift to the ceiling! These pictures can’t possibly describe the experience.
One of the school ‘boys’ from next door was in the cathedral practicing on the magnificent organ shown here! The music was ethereal!
This is above the high altar in the nave of the Abbey.
We had a real change of pace going to Tamborino Gold, an Italian restaurant in Sherbourne and enjoyed some bruschetta and tiramisu!
As we drove back to Munden House, the sun was peeking out under the clouds and an fantastic full rainbow appeared. We actually just stopped and snapped this picture!
Our Dorset stay is now at an end… on to Burford and the Cotswolds!
Cheers!