St Catherine's Chapel

St Catherine's Chapel is a 14th-century limestone building with a barrel-vaulted interior standing on a hill above the Dorset coast. The structure rises roughly 260 feet (80 meters) above sea level and offers views toward Chesil Beach and the Isle of Portland.

Monks from Abbotsbury Abbey built this chapel in the late 14th century as a retreat for pilgrims. The building survived the dissolution of English monasteries in the 16th century because it served as a navigation marker for passing ships.

The chapel served as a pilgrimage site where women came seeking blessings for marriage. The shrine drew visitors from across the region who used special niches in the southern doorway as a focus for prayer.

The climb to the chapel starts from the village center and is fairly steep, taking roughly 30 minutes on foot. Parking with a fee is available in Abbotsbury, and the path can become slippery in wet conditions.

The chapel likely served as a guiding light for seafarers before monks formally took it over, explaining its adoption as a navigation aid. On clear days, visitors standing at this hilltop can watch vessels passing along the coast.

Location: Abbotsbury

Website: https://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/abbotsbury-st-catherines-chapel

GPS coordinates: 50.66150,-2.60648

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:26