Sherborne Town

Situated on the Dorset and Somerset border is the Saxon town of Sherborne, a mellow-stoned living pageant of history with a superb Abbey Church, two castles and wealth of mediaeval buildings.

Discover Sherborne is a town trail which takes visitors around the main sites, including the Sherborne Museum which presents the town's history as far back as Roman times.

For those wishing to venture a little further afield Sherborne Old Castle and Sherborne New Castle are both within easy walking distance. The Old Castle was built in the early 12th Century and acquired by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1592. Because he was unable to convert it into a comfortable home, he built Sherborne Lodge, now the New Castle.

The Old Castle was twice besieged in the 17th Century during the Civil War when the buildings were badly damaged. The remains are very impressive and a model of the original castle can be seen in the Sherborne Museum. The Digby family became the owners of the New Castle in 1617 and it has remained in this family ever since. The castle grounds and lake were designed by 'Capability Brown'.

Map and travel directions

Browse next