The gorgeous little village just a short walk from the UK's longest beach

A charming little village just a short walk away from the UK's longest beach is nothing short of a fairytale. Surrounded by rolling hills and coastal views, Abbotsbury, in Dorset, is celebrated for its timeless appeal and scenic setting close to Chesil Beach.

Often described as a chocolate box village, its thatched cottages, ancient abbey ruins, and cosy tea rooms evoke a sense of stepping back in time. The village is just 800 metres away from the famous 18-mile-long Chesil beach. Behind the beach lies the Fleet Lagoon, a shallow tidal body of water that adds to the area's ecological richness. Chesil Beach forms part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is renowned for its wild, elemental beauty-often described as a place of sea, shingle, and sky.

According to Rightmove, over the past year, the average house price in Abbotsbury was £508,500, reflecting a notable rise in property values. Semi-detached homes were the most commonly sold, averaging £542,000, while terraced houses sold for around £475,000. Compared to the previous year, prices increased by 49 percent, although they remain 31 percent below the 2019 peak of £741,625.

Abbotsbury High Street is the heart of this charming village, lined with honey-coloured stone cottages, traditional tea rooms, and artisan shops that reflect its rich heritage.

It offers a variety of local spots, including two welcoming pubs-The Swan Inn and Ilchester Arms-along with several cafes, galleries, florists, and a glass workshop. For everyday needs, there's a Spar shop, while The Clock Work shop features antiques, and Bride Valley Farm Shop provides fresh local produce.

As you stroll along the street, you will find buildings dating back to the 16th century, many of which have been lovingly preserved or repurposed into galleries and boutiques. The high street captures the essence of Abbotsbury's timeless appeal-peaceful, picturesque, and steeped in history.

Peter Ellis, owner of the Muddy Patches garden, told The Express: "Abbotsbury is nice, lots of old cottages and fabulous wildlife. We are lucky to have such a nice environment. Some of the architecture is amazing. We also have some wonderful and interesting businesses including the wonderful Helen Millard and her unique gallery, the Old school house tearooms is a must visit for cream teas, Sheila runs the local butchers/deli/cafe.

"She emigrated from South Africa and is very popular. I think the village loves the diversity and uniqueness that Abbotsbury has to offer."

The village continues to support a diverse range of businesses, blending the area's tranquil atmosphere with a strong, practical role in the local economy.

He added, "We have the amazing Subtropical gardens and Swannery and, of course, our own business, Muddy Patches, which is very unique and getting more and more popular every year. It's a very quiet place through the winter months, but that's also the time to recharge before a busy summer season.

"We are perfectly located in the centre of the village and, surrounded by the Jurrasic Coast and neighbouring towns like Bridport, Dorchester, and Weymouth."

One of the visitors who has been to the gardens wrote on TripAdvisor forum: "Our second time of visiting this wonderful place. We started with a slice of gorgeous Dorset Apple cake and a good cup of coffee in the coffee shop before we went for a wander.

"The route is easy to follow and takes you all around the gardens. Beautiful plants that you wouldn't normally see are thriving here and there are interesting sculptures and features as well. A stroll up the hill to the viewpoint is well worth it for the amazing views."

A second visitor chimed in: "Just extraordinary, beautifully laid out and curated and do take the walk up to the cliff top for the most extraordinary views of Chesil Beach the best way to appreciate the sheer scale of it. Cafe is OK too and the garden shop is about the best I've seen."