Hive Beach Cafe
6 August 2026
This beach café right by the sea on Chesil Bank bagged the Coast magazine award for Best Coastal Café, Pub or Restaurant 2009. Local fish and shellfish are specialities.
Things to do near Abbotsbury
1
Hive Beach Cafe
This beach café right by the sea on Chesil Bank bagged the Coast magazine award for Best Coastal Café, Pub or Restaurant 2009. Local fish and shellfish are specialities.
2
The Lugger Inn
In the village of Chickerell you'll find this traditional public house with skittle alley, beer garden and restaurant. Dorset real ales are on offer alongside local ciders and over 60 malt whiskies. Live music often takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings. Give them a call for further info.
3
The Spyway Inn
A traditional English country pub with amazing views of the Dorset countryside. Locals, walkers and cyclists are made very welcome and it's the perfect place for refreshments after a climb up nearby Eggardon Hill. Bring your dog, they are welcome too.
4
Crown Inn
A beautiful 16th century thatched pub centrally located in the village. There's a large beer garden where you can while away the hours looking at the fabulous views of the Bride Valley.
5
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Planted as a kitchen garden in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester, today Abbotsbury Gardens bring together rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Scintillate your senses with a visit to the world famous camellia groves and magnolias, enjoy a sedate stroll in the walled gardens or go wild for the stunning woodland valley views. The BBC's Alan Titchmarsh declared them to be 'one of the finest gardens I have ever visited'. See for yourself. If it leaves your green fingers itching for some action, you can choose from a superb range of quality plants at the Specialist Plant Nursery.
6
Chesil Beach
Studied in geography lessons across the land as a prime example of long shore drift', Chesil Beach is a long, long strip of shingle stretching out into the sea.
7
Abbotsbury Swannery
Swans have lived here for 600 years; at around the end of May, visitors can watch cygnets taking their first tentative steps.
8
Abbotsbury Children's Farm
The fun includes goat racing, toy tractor racing and a smuggler's ship soft play area.
9
Abbotsbury Studio
Calling all budding artists! Why not join in one of the many drawing and painting courses which take place at the Abbotsbury Studio? Evening, day and weekly workshops take place here, the list is endless so please check their Website for further information.
10
Hardy Monument
Not to be confused with perhaps Dorset's most famous son, Thomas Hardy, this monument was erected in memory of Vice Admiral Hardy of the HMS Victory (of "Kiss me Hardy" fame). Situated on Black Down near Portesham, it offers glorious views across the Dorset countryside to the sea, and is within a mile of the inland route of the South West coastal path (which avoids Chesil beach). National Trust owned.
Things to do near Abbotsbury
A few years ago, the Classic Cottages team started writing about where we live and why we love it. Over time these have evolved into the Classic Guide.
The Lugger Inn
5 November 2023
In the village of Chickerell you'll find this traditional public house with skittle alley, beer garden and restaurant. Dorset real ales are on offer alongside local ciders and over 60 malt whiskies. Live music often takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings. Give them a call for further info.
The Spyway Inn
15 October 2023
A traditional English country pub with amazing views of the Dorset countryside. Locals, walkers and cyclists are made very welcome and it's the perfect place for refreshments after a climb up nearby Eggardon Hill. Bring your dog, they are welcome too.
Crown Inn
5 October 2022
A beautiful 16th century thatched pub centrally located in the village. There's a large beer garden where you can while away the hours looking at the fabulous views of the Bride Valley.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
31 October 2021
Planted as a kitchen garden in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester, today Abbotsbury Gardens bring together rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Scintillate your senses with a visit to the world famous camellia groves and magnolias, enjoy a sedate stroll in the walled gardens or go wild for the stunning woodland valley views. The BBC's Alan Titchmarsh declared them to be 'one of the finest gardens I have ever visited'. See for yourself. If it leaves your green fingers itching for some action, you can choose from a superb range of quality plants at the Specialist Plant Nursery.
Chesil Beach
17 May 2013
Studied in geography lessons across the land as a prime example of long shore drift', Chesil Beach is a long, long strip of shingle stretching out into the sea.
Abbotsbury Swannery
14 September 2012
Swans have lived here for 600 years; at around the end of May, visitors can watch cygnets taking their first tentative steps.
Abbotsbury Children's Farm
The fun includes goat racing, toy tractor racing and a smuggler's ship soft play area.
Abbotsbury Studio
Calling all budding artists! Why not join in one of the many drawing and painting courses which take place at the Abbotsbury Studio? Evening, day and weekly workshops take place here, the list is endless so please check their Website for further information.
Hardy Monument
Not to be confused with perhaps Dorset's most famous son, Thomas Hardy, this monument was erected in memory of Vice Admiral Hardy of the HMS Victory (of "Kiss me Hardy" fame). Situated on Black Down near Portesham, it offers glorious views across the Dorset countryside to the sea, and is within a mile of the inland route of the South West coastal path (which avoids Chesil beach). National Trust owned.