Where Heritage and Future Meet

Milton Abbey, set in the middle of a 500 acre landscape at the heart of Dorset designed by Capability Brown, is set for an exciting summer.

One major event is an exhibition from 7 July-31 August entitled History, Heritage and Landscape. This follows on from the success of the Capability Brown exhibition at the Abbey last summer.

The main element of the exhibition will be the landscape, with work by prize winning photographers and artists, including Tim Scott-Bolton, whose work proved popular last year. In addition, there will be films, recommended walks and children’s games. All of these will feature Dorset’s most remarkable landscapes, including that at Milton Abbey, arguably the most special of all. It is rated by John Phibbs, the leading expert on Capability Brown, as one of the top five Brown landscapes in the whole of England.

There will be new displays recording the history and heritage associated with the Abbey, ranging from the foundation by King Athelstan, the first king of all England; to the monastic period and the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII; to the dramatic tenure of Lord Milton, who destroyed the old town of Middleton, created the village of Milton Abbas, and hired Capability Brown to create the glorious landscape that we all enjoy today.

The exhibition is open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. Entry: £6 (adults), £5 (concessions including over 60s and disabled people). Children under 16 get free entry. Postcode: DT11 0BZ.

The exhibition marks another milestone in a landmark period in the Abbey’s history. A Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £1.25 million will enable not only physical restoration to take place, but also a project aimed at making the Abbey once again a place of spirituality and mission based on Benedictine principles.

The Revd Chris Jervis, previously Vicar of St Helier in Jersey, has been appointed as Provost to Milton Abbey, leading the transformation of the Abbey into its new role. He will lead a celebration service at 7 pm on Tuesday 11 July, St Benedict’s Day.

“As Provost”, Chris said, “I will seek to serve the local community, the deanery and the wider church. There will be plenty of new initiatives emerging from this project, all of which will be designed to build up people and communities in the Christian faith and with a sense of belonging to the Abbey life.

“The historic Church and the glorious landscape in which the Abbey and St. Catherine’s Chapel are set will be familiar to many, but not all. I look forward to welcoming many new visitors and receiving interested parties into a closer affiliation with the Milton Abbey community.”

This summer provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about both Milton Abbey’s magnificent heritage and its exciting future which is emerging.

Find out more about the Heritage, History and Landscape exhibition at the official website, capabilitybrownatmiltonabbey.org.