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Abbotsbury Abbey Ruins – Chesil Beach & The Fleet loop from Abbotsbury

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Hiking trails & Routes

Abbotsbury Abbey Ruins – Chesil Beach & The Fleet loop from Abbotsbury

Moderate

3.9

(7)

hikers

Abbotsbury Abbey Ruins – Chesil Beach & The Fleet loop from Abbotsbury

02:33

9.17km

170m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: May 6, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Dorset National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

237 m

Abbotsbury Abbey Lake

Highlight • Lake

Quaint little lake with various wildlife in it.

Tip by

352 m

Abbotsbury Abbey, dedicated to Saint Peter, was a Benedictine monastery in the village of Abbotsbury in Dorset, England. The abbey was founded in the 11th century by King Cnut's thegn Orc and his wife Tola, who handsomely endowed the monastery with lands in the area. The abbey prospered and became a local centre of power, controlling eight manor houses and villages. During the later Middle Ages, the abbey suffered much misfortune. In the time of the dissolution of the monasteries, the last abbot surrendered the abbey and the site became the property of Sir Giles Strangways.
Today, a small part of the former Abbey estate, including the abbey's remains, and those of the nearby St Catherine's Chapel, are in the guardianship of English Heritage

Tip by

433 m

St Nicholas' Church, Abbotsbury

Highlight • Religious Site

Great little church, the oldest parts of which date from the 14th century.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.39 km

St Catherine's Chapel, Abbotsbury

Highlight • Religious Site

This tiny chapel occupies a magnificent location above the Dorset village of Abbotsbury. Thanks to its height, it has fantastic views across the sea and across to the Isle of Portland. Most likely dating back to the 14th or early 15th century, it was built as a retreat for the local monks at the abbey in Abbotsbury.

Tip by

3.14 km

Chesil Beach & The Fleet

Highlight • Beach

Author John Fowles described Chesil Beach as “an elemental place, made of sea, shingle and sky”. Backed by The Fleet, the largest tidal lagoon in Britain, this natural pebble beach extends some 17 miles (27 km) along the coast and is thought to be 4,000-7,000 years old.

Whilst it’s a great place to visit, you are strongly advised not to swim here — or even get too close to the shoreline. Even in calm conditions large waves can suddenly appear. The shoreline of the beach is very steep and this can result in a very strong undertow, which makes swimming dangerous.

Tip by

8.99 km

St Catherine's Chapel, Abbotsbury

Highlight • Viewpoint

The classic Abbotsbury view is of Chesil Beach. It's a quaint village with a swannery, but the roads are so nice you'll probably be going too fast to look at the birds.

Tip by

9.17 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.11 km

2.17 km

2.07 km

1.81 km

Surfaces

2.59 km

2.02 km

1.90 km

1.83 km

555 m

253 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (110 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Monday 13 July

29°C

16°C

-- %

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Comments

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Abbotsbury Abbey Ruins – Chesil Beach & The Fleet loop from Abbotsbury

Abbotsbury Abbey Lake