The Cerne is a fast flowing chalk stream that flows from Cerne Abbas to join the River Frome just south of Charminster. Well before Roman times Charminster developed as a village on the first crossing point over the river.
Today you can see evidence of the past through ancient houses, the beautiful 12th Century St Mary’s Church (replacing an even older church on the same site) and humpbacked Alley Bridge where the ford probably was once found.
Traces of stone age, bronze age, iron age and Roman settlements can easily be found in the area, as well as many relics. Wolfeton House, the village’s grand house, has had links with royalty going back to Tudor times, is often open to the public.