When in Abbotsbury, you are presented with a quaint, pretty village with chocolate-box cottages lining the streets.
The area is famous for its Abbey remains, Swannery and Subtropical Gardens, which make it interesting for people of all ages.
One particular landmark, St Catherine’s Chapel, can be spotted high above the village.
Its air of fascination and history invites you to explore its surroundings.
St Catherine’s Chapel proudly stands on a country hillside. This barrel-vaulted 14th-century chapel was built by monks of the nearby Abbotsbury Abbey and used as a place for retreat, meditation and prayer.
The walls are 4 feet thick and made of local limestone. They were built to withstand all weather conditions and would have had stained glass windows.
The chapel is a grade I listed building and one of a few of its kind, having been built close to the monastery.
Its location over Chesil Beach and Abbotsbury Abbey ruins provides a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
When not in use, the chapel may have served as a beacon or landmark. Later, a navigation light burned at the top of the stair turret.
The chapel is dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria, a princess and scholar whose cult was one of the most popular in medieval England.
Born in Egypt, she was later renowned for standing against the oppression of Christians.
During her imprisonment, more than 200 people visited Catherine and converted to Christianity.
The Roman emperor Maxentius I ordered that Catherine be put to death by the breaking wheel.
The breaking wheel is a torture method used in the Middle Ages; the device was used to break a criminal’s bones or bludgeon them to death.
When Catherine was put upon the wheel, it broke into pieces, which later led to her being beheaded.
It is believed that angels took her body to Mount Sinai in Egypt, where, according to legend, it was found in 800CE.
💫 The Catherine Wheel firework is said to have been named after the events that took place with St Catherine and the breaking wheel.
Catherine became the patron saint of spinsters, and the chapel became a place where women visited to wish for a husband.
They would use the ‘wishing holes’ located in the south doorway.
They would put their knee and both of their hands in the holes and make a wish.
Sometimes, a prayer will be said as follows:
A husband, St Catherine,
A handsome one, St Catherine,
A rich one, St Catherine,
A nice one, St Catherine,
And soon, St Catherine.
Today, St Catherine’s Chapel is a peaceful spot where visitors can explore the magnificent building, enjoy the views and learn about the area’s history.
The chapel is open during daylight hours, and dogs are welcome, although they must be kept on a lead due to cattle nearby.
The chapel is accessible via the ropewalk path on the western side of Abbotsbury Village.
Be careful when walking, as there are uneven surfaces and a steep incline to the top.
Whether you visit to make a wish or to take in the breathtaking views, St Catherine’s Chapel is a wonderful place to spend a day in the country.
To find out more about St Catherine’s Chapel, click here.
📍 Chapel Hill, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4JH
