Milton Abbey Church and Landscape
Located approximately 30 miles south-west of Salisbury, Milton Abbey can be found mid-way between the Georgian market town, Blandford Forum and Dorchester in Dorset.
Visitor parking is provided just inside the Gates to the Main Driveway entrance.
It may be important to note that there is a low bridge (10’3″) giving restricted height on the road from Milton Abbas to Milton Abbey.
From Salisbury on the A354
Having passed through the village of Pimperne you will come to a roundabout at which you need to turn left onto the Blandford bypass. At the next two roundabouts go straight over, you will then pass through Thornicombe before the road dips into Winterborne Whitechurch.
On entering the village take the second right hand turn (next to the Milton Arms Public House). Follow the road until you reach Milton Abbas, take the first left down through the village (please note satellite navigation devices may tell you to continue).
At the bottom of the village take a right hand turn, following the signs for Milton Abbey Church, follow the road past the rear entrance to the School, you will approach the main gates on your left. Abbey visitor parking is immediately to the left just inside the main gates.
From Poole on the A350
Having passed through the village of Charlton Marshall, eventually you will come to a roundabout at which you need to turn left onto the Dorchester road. You will pass through Thornicombe before the road dips into Winterborne Whitechurch. On entering the village take the second right hand turn (next to the Milton Arms Public House).
Follow the road until you reach Milton Abbas; take the first left down through the village (please note satellite navigation devices may tell you to continue). At the bottom of the village take a right hand turn, following the signs for Milton Abbey Church, follow the road past the rear entrance to the School, you will approach the main gates on your left. Abbey visitor parking is immediately to the left just inside the main gates.
From Dorchester on the A354
Having entered the village of Milborne St. Andrew, you need to take the second left-hand turn (just past the Royal Oak Public House). Keep following the road which will eventually take a sharp right hand bend followed by a tight left hand bend after which you need to take the first left, signposted Milton Abbey. Follow the road past the rear entrance to the School; you will approach the main gates on your left. Abbey visitor parking is immediately to the left just inside the main gates.
From Shaftesbury on the A350
Following the A350, you will pass through the village of Iwerne Minster before eventually reaching Stourpaine and a roundabout marking the intersection with A354. Take the A354 (Blandford Bypass) and at the next two roundabouts go straight over, you will then pass through Thornicombe before the road dips into Winterborne Whitechurch.
On entering the village take the second right hand turn (next to the Milton Arms Public House). Follow the road until you reach Milton Abbas; take the first left down through the village (please note satellite navigation devices may tell you to continue).
At the bottom of the village take a right hand turn, following the signs for Milton Abbey Church, follow the road past the rear entrance to the School, you will approach the main gates on your left. Abbey visitor parking is immediately to the left just inside the main gates.
The most picturesque route
Approaching Milton Abbey from the village of Hilton gives the most spectacular view – like being in France and happening on a chateau or abbey – definitely the route I would recommend.
Alternatively, on foot, from the stunningly picturesque village of Milton Abbas, take the signposted half-mile pedestrian footpath alongside the lake.
Milton Abbey Historic Church is set in a beautiful Capability Brown designed landscape and accessed via the grounds of Milton Abbey school. There is a landscaped car park area immediately by the main entrance and signage to the Abbey and St Catherine’s Chapel which is just a short walk away. We suggest that you print off this map and bring it with you to help plan your visit and find your way around. There is also a tea shop serving cream teas and snacks open to visitors during the school holidays.
You can become a Member of our Abbey community without financial commitment, although of course gifts and donations are extremely welcome.
Gifts and Donations are vital in helping us continue to carry on the work of The Milton Abbey Heritage Trust.
Last summer we were thrilled to be selected with Milton Abbas Village to be featured in a BBC series about…
read moreIf you would like us to keep you up to date with our work and to let you know of opportunities to join us for festivals, services and events please signup to become a member.