EMF Vice-President, Simon Jenkins, in his authoritative book England's 1000 Best Churches awarded the Abbey a 4-star rating. The Abbey is a popular concert venue and is often used for recordings by Oxford choirs as well as other groups. The recent restoration and development of the Abbey means increased comfort and better facilities, including disabled access through the south entrance, and enhanced acoustics.

Morning, afternoon and late evening events take place in All Saints Church at Sutton Courtenay (in whose churchyard both George Orwell and Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister from 1908-1916 are buried) (see http://www.suttoncourtenay.info/all_saints.html), and in the Silk Hall at Radley College. The mediaeval Guest House situated next to the Abbey in Dorchester will also be used for talks.

Dorchester is an ideal venue for commuters, being only 7 miles from Didcot, which is in turn a mere 45 minute train-journey from London. Alternatively, Oxford itself is 8 miles north of Dorchester. The EMF plans to run coaches from Didcot station regularly to Dorchester throughout the duration of the festival. Both the town of Dorchester itself and the surrounding area are very well-provided in terms of accommodation and dining establishments.

To visit the Dorchester Abbey web page please click here.
To visit the Dorchester Abbey blog (the Abbey Dabbler [and Em's piece] please click here


Below: The glorious setting of the Abbey at Dorchester-on-Thames.