St Catherine's Chapel, Abbotsbury

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St Catherine's Chapel
St Catherine's Chapel
Inside St Catherine's Chapel
Inside St Catherine's Chapel

St Catherine's Chapel is a small chapel situated above the village of Abbotsbury in Dorset, England at grid reference SY57238482.

It is thought to have been built in about 1400 as a Pilgrim chapel for Abbotsbury Abbey. Its position on the top of a hill about 80 m (260 ft) high, overlooking the coast means that it was a prominent feature for seafarers.

It is best seen from the viewpoint on the B3157 Abbotsbury to Bridport road, with Chesil Beach in the background. The medieval strip lynchets etched into the side of the hill are known locally as the Chapel Rings.

The chapel appears briefly in the Powell and Pressburger film The Small Back Room.

St Catherine's Chapel has a local tradition of 'wishing'. This involves using the niches in the chapel walls to 'post' prayers to the saint asking for her help. This tradition still goes on today.

Coordinates: 50.66147° N 2.60648° W