Cerne Abbas is a quintessentially English
village set in the heart of Dorset. To Thomas Hardy it was 'Abbot's-Cernel' The origins of the Giant are a mix of fact and speculation. Some believe that he represents the Roman god, Hercules, and is over 1500 years old. However, there is no known historical record about him before 1694 and it has been argued that he is more recent and a caricature of any one of a number of possible historical figures. the earliest possibly record is to a giant Helith, (1637), later the name was linked to the site and the giant itself (1764). It was the center of centuries of maypole celebrations the pole being erected in the frying pan (an earthwork next to the giant.) The giant itself being a symbol of fertility. There are many theories mainly that the giant is a pagan god, cut by the Saxons which would indicate a figure pre 13th century. It may be a representation of Hercules, which would indicate a late century BC date or from the Roman revival of this myth and be of the 2nd century AD. It may be from the same era as the other giants, Plymouth, Cambridge which were cut during the 14-16th century's. There is a very tenuous reference to the giant in the 13th century which supports is antiquity. The recent history is well known, the figure has been monitored since 1764 and has changed in its appearance over this period. The naval was lost probably during the 1887 renovation by the Pitt-Rivers family who presented the giant to the National Trust in 1920. The last major restorations were in 1953 and 1978. The giant was last repaired in 1993 when the erosion to the raised nose was repaired. Whatever the truth, he is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument in the care of The National Trust & The giant is well cared for cleaned annually |
** Please note that, to prevent erosion,
visitors are not allowed to walk on the Giant **
The village of Cerne Abbas grew up around the great Benedictine abbey, which was founded here in AD987. For more than 500 years the abbey dominated the area. However, the abbey was surrendered to Henry VIII in1539 with the Dissolution of the Monasteries and was largely destroyed, but it is possible to visit what remains of the Abbot's Porch and Abbey Guesthouse from the top of Abbey Street. St Augustine's Well, reputedly blessed by the saint, is also well worth a visit and is to be found at the far end of the pretty burial ground, again from the top of Abbey Street. St Mary's Church, built by the abbey for the parish in the late 13th Century, is in the heart of the parish and retains many original features. |
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In the centuries after the Dissolution the village thrived as a small market town. Its wealth was partly generated by brewing, its underground water making it famous for the quality of its beer, which was sold as far afield as London and was even exported to the Americas. At one time Cerne Abbas boasted no fewer than 14 public houses, serving visitors and a population of about 1500! Waterpower also gave rise to milling, tanning, silk weaving, glove and hat making and many other small industries The coming of the railways in the 19th century by passed Cerne and the village went into decline. By 1906 the population had halved and many of the houses had fallen into disrepair. However, in 1919 the village was sold off by the Pitt-Rivers estate who owned it and it is now a bustling community of over 700 people, with a flourishing school, a rural Post Office, the village stores (which is a local tourist information point, and where you will also find a Town Trail of CerneAbbas), three remaining historic public houses, tearooms and a number of other shops to attract the visitor. B&B accmmodation is also available. |