Cerne Abbas Giant
Cerne Abbas Giant
3.5
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Restaurants
9 within 3 miles
Attractions
15 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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3.5
418 reviews
Excellent
96
Very good
159
Average
130
Poor
26
Terrible
7
David D
Devon, UK19,803 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Tuesday afternoon 6th March and we visited the picturesque Dorset village of Cerne Abbas where this chalk hill giant is located nearby.
This is one of Britain's largest chalk hill figures, it measures 60 metres(196 feet) high and 31 metres (101 feet) wide (180 ft). It depicts a naked man standing with proportioned private parts on display and brandishing a large cudgel in his right hand.
This is a National Trust Site and it is listed as a scheduled monument of England.
There is no clear evidence as to when the figure was originally carved. According to information provided it could be as young as 400 years or as old as 3,000 years.
There is a small viewing area in front of the figure. There a some car park spaces for Visitors to use while enjoying the view of the figure.
A little bit further along the road, opposite the village hall, there is a larger long term car park, with a small charge of £1. From here it is possible to head off on one of the many walking routes around the countryside. Or take the short riverside walk into the village and it's attractions.
Don't think that we could have chosen a much worse day to visit. It was windy, bitterly cold along with wind driven flurries of snow. The weather did curtail adventure.
We did go to the viewing area to see the figure, this was a quick visit. In a field in front of the figure were a number of ewes with their spring lambs, a wonderful sight.
We did make an equally as quick visit to the other parking area where we made a brief foray into the countryside, rapidly returning to the car.
We then took a cursory drive through the delightful village, unfortunately mostly closed due to COVID restrictions and safety measures.
There is no entrance fee to visit the figure
This is one of Britain's largest chalk hill figures, it measures 60 metres(196 feet) high and 31 metres (101 feet) wide (180 ft). It depicts a naked man standing with proportioned private parts on display and brandishing a large cudgel in his right hand.
This is a National Trust Site and it is listed as a scheduled monument of England.
There is no clear evidence as to when the figure was originally carved. According to information provided it could be as young as 400 years or as old as 3,000 years.
There is a small viewing area in front of the figure. There a some car park spaces for Visitors to use while enjoying the view of the figure.
A little bit further along the road, opposite the village hall, there is a larger long term car park, with a small charge of £1. From here it is possible to head off on one of the many walking routes around the countryside. Or take the short riverside walk into the village and it's attractions.
Don't think that we could have chosen a much worse day to visit. It was windy, bitterly cold along with wind driven flurries of snow. The weather did curtail adventure.
We did go to the viewing area to see the figure, this was a quick visit. In a field in front of the figure were a number of ewes with their spring lambs, a wonderful sight.
We did make an equally as quick visit to the other parking area where we made a brief foray into the countryside, rapidly returning to the car.
We then took a cursory drive through the delightful village, unfortunately mostly closed due to COVID restrictions and safety measures.
There is no entrance fee to visit the figure
Written April 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hidden gems
Huntingdon, UK15 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
What really makes the Cerne giant great is all the local pubs, memorabilia and businesses that surround him. We saw a van with him on the side, there’s a tearoom in Cerne Abbas that has meals named after him, restaurants displaying him and it’s really heartening to see how the community has embraced him as their piece of history. The actual giant is quite hard to see from anywhere but the viewpoint which provides good information about him. The walks that are in the surrounding area are great, and Cerne Abbas itself is a wonderful little village. Worth a visit if you throw in some walks in the countryside and the village too.
Written August 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patric D
Sandbach, UK838 contributions
May 2022
The Giant is somewhat unique. the best views are probably from the viewing point on the A352 just north of Verne village. but note that he faces to the west, so he i better displayed in the mid to late afternoon
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theologator
Lake Wales, FL512 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
The Giant is well worth a look is you are in the area - say witching an hour. The giant is an iconic mystery. It doesn’t take long to see and to wonder at its presence, but don’t miss the charming village of Cerne Abbas while you’re here. It is well worth a stop for a walk, plus lunch or tea.
Written October 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick W
Sevenoaks, UK2,070 contributions
Aug 2020
We had high hopes of viewing the Cerne Abbas Giant, but were actually disappointed. The best view is from the free designated car park on the opposite hill, but even then the giant is need of restoration. His head was almost invisible and the rest of his body quite indistinct. In contrast to the the fabulous images you see on line and in guide books what we actually viewed was unclear and quite indistinct. I walked around the giant (protected by a barbed wire fence) but could make out nothing at all. The steep 'close up' walk has some pleasant views - but you are too close to the giant to see anything! Overall - and underwhelming and disappointing experience!
Written August 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SharonE72
Chippenham, UK90 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Decided to visit on our way home after a weekend break in the area.
Free parking at the Viewpoint area which was quite busy as it was a nice day (weatherwise). There were information boards about the Giant and also the village of Cerne Abbas.
A nice place to stop for 1/2 an hour or so but I felt the Giant possibly needed re-chalking as some of the outline wasn't very visible. But still worth visiting if like us you've never been before.
Free parking at the Viewpoint area which was quite busy as it was a nice day (weatherwise). There were information boards about the Giant and also the village of Cerne Abbas.
A nice place to stop for 1/2 an hour or so but I felt the Giant possibly needed re-chalking as some of the outline wasn't very visible. But still worth visiting if like us you've never been before.
Written May 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew D
Swindon, UK40 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Have known of the Cerne Abbas Giant for many years and, as we were holidaying in the area, we swung by. I’ve been looking forward to a visit for a long time.
Viewing from the signposted car park opposite the Giant we were very underwhelmed. Instead of a crisp white image that you see in the media, it was barely visible, greyed out and not in keeping with its, and England’s, heritage.
Luckily, we swung by on the way home as if this had been a special trip, I’d have been even more disappointed.
Viewing from the signposted car park opposite the Giant we were very underwhelmed. Instead of a crisp white image that you see in the media, it was barely visible, greyed out and not in keeping with its, and England’s, heritage.
Luckily, we swung by on the way home as if this had been a special trip, I’d have been even more disappointed.
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike H
Phoenix, AZ2,062 contributions
Aug 2022
The giant was made around 700 or so by the Saxons according to our tour guide. It may have been a fertility symbol since women slept on the grounds to help them get pregnant. There also may be some connection to Hercules.
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edpinches
Cambridge, UK58 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Parked in the village and walked up to the site, only to find it fenced off. We scrambled up the bank to reach the top of the hill, and were met with an excellent view. It's not a suitable climb for those who struggle at hiking. We then visited the viewing area, and were slightly disappointed, the grass on which there was sheep grazing it was too long to make out the detail of the Giant. It's history was interesting.
Written July 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christy
London, UK256 contributions
Jan 2023
We were passing through after staying at a local Airbnb, so decided to see the Cerne Giant. It was a little bit disappointing; only because you really can't get up close to it (the field it's in has been fenced off). But even the car park recommended for the "best vantage point" is very far away, so take a good camera! Also, it didn't look very chalky white (National Trust say this can vary on the light, weather, etc), so come prepared! Didn't spend more than 10 minutes.
Written January 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Cerne Abbas Giant - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Cerne Abbas Giant
- Cerne Abbas Giant is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Hotels near Cerne Abbas Giant:
- (0.03 mi) New Inn Cerne Abbas
- (0.04 mi) Abbots
- (0.08 mi) 1 bedroom accommodation in Cerne Abbas
- (0.13 mi) Lyonsgate Caravan Park and Fishery
- (0.15 mi) LITTLE THATCH, Grade II listed, charming, character thatched cottage, in Cerne
- Restaurants near Cerne Abbas Giant:
- (0.01 mi) The Giant Inn
- (0.04 mi) New Inn Cerne Abbas
- (0.04 mi) The Royal Oak
- (0.04 mi) Abbots Tearoom
- (0.22 mi) Abbots Tea Room
- Attractions near Cerne Abbas Giant:
- (0.07 mi) Cerne Abbey
- (0.06 mi) St Mary's Church
- (0.07 mi) Giant Little Kitchen
- (0.39 mi) Cerne Abbas Brewery
- (7.26 mi) The Body Retreat