Visiting Sherborne
Move over Stamford, there’s a new Queen in town. Sherborne is quite possibly the dreamiest spot in England. Built of golden hamstone – the most coveted building stone in Britain – this town shines all year round. It seems everywhere you look, you’re confronted with golden streetscapes of Georgian and Medieval architecture. There’s also tons of things to do in Sherborne. It’s a lovely place.
Everything you could want is in Sherborne – ancient abbey, TWO castles, thriving high street, Waitrose. There’s even a direct line to London (though a journey time of two hours might have some running). Sure, Sherborne may be small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in looks and history.
Sherborne History
Sherborne is one of the most ancient towns in England. Settled since Roman times, the area was valued for its pastures. It was from here the Saxons held back the Danes, invading from the east. The ancient capital of Wessex, a cathedral was built here in 705. Alfred the Great may have been schooled in the Cathedral where his brothers (Ethelbert and Ethelbald) are buried.
When the Bishop’s seat moved from Sherborne to Old Sarum in 1075, the Cathedral became a Benedictine abbey. Upon the Dissolution in 1539, the monastic buildings became Sherborne School and the abbey a parish church. Today, the ancient buildings of both characterise the town.
In the 12th century, Roger de Caen – Bishop of Salisbury and Chancellor of England – built a castle in Sherborne. In the 16th century, the famous Elizabethan courtier Sir Walter Raleigh took it over. He tried to modernise the castle but failing, built a new house. Raleigh’s new house became ‘Sherborne Castle’ and the old castle ‘Sherborne Old Castle’ – now a ruin. The former has been owned by the Digby family since 1617 and the latter is managed by English Heritage.
Throughout the 17th Century, Sherborne prospered. Dairy farming brought wealth to the area and the town developed an important market. In the 1740s, the silk industry arrived, making Georgian Sherborne the place to be. The fine houses that line Greenhill are testament to this time. Fast forward to the Victorian era and the railway kept Sherborne from stagnating. Today that single-track line still trundles on, bringing folk from Dorset and beyond to this gem of a town.
Things to do in Sherborne
Sherborne is the perfect small town for a weekend break. Like Stamford, everything you want is within a stone’s throw – an ancient abbey, TWO castles, rolling countryside… there’s lots of things to do in Sherborne. Apart from the main attractions, the town’s calendar is packed with popup events so plan ahead to make the most of these.
10 Best Things to do in Sherborne
- Sherborne Town Trail
- Sherborne Castle and Gardens
- Sherborne Old Castle
- Sherborne Museum
- Sherborne Abbey
- Sherborne Shops
- The Jerram Gallery
- Cerne Abbas Giant
- Minterne House Gardens
- Sherborne Abbey Festival
1. Sherborne Town Trail
The history of Sherborne shines bright in golden hamstone. The late Saxon and medieval town plan survives mostly intact, and the centre is full of historical sites such as the Conduit – originally a washing place for the monks. The Sherborne Town Trail is one of the best things to do in Sherborne. The town retains its medieval core and every corner has something strange and historic. The Sherborne trail guides you around the main attractions and unravels the town’s fascinating history.
For those who prefer to be guided round, Sherborne Walks runs a weekly tour where for £10.00 an expert guide indulges you with stories of times past for two hours.
Adults – Free | Concessions – Free | Children – Free
2. Sherborne Castle and Gardens
The most popular attraction in Sherborne is Sherborne Castle and Gardens. Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, the castle-cum-country house is a showcase of 400 years of English history.
Not to be confused with Sherborne Old Castle, the stately home was bought by diplomat Sir John Digby in 1617. He enlarged the castle, adding extra wings, turrets and heraldic beasts. The castle is still held by the Digby family, whose emblem – an ostrich holding an upturned horseshoe in its beak – can still be seen around the town.
Outside, you can explore 42 acres of gardens and pleasure grounds. Rolling landscapes, sweeping lawns and colourful displays of flowers surround a 50 acre lake. The castle gardens were one of Capability Brown’s first commissions and are lovely on a sunny day,
Adults – £13.50 | Concessions – £13.50 | Children – Free
3. Sherborne Old Castle
Sherborne Old Castle is a romantic 12th century ruin, set in scenic grounds next to Sherborne Castle. The castle served as the residency of the Bishops of Salisbury for much of its history. Then in 1592 Sir Walter Raleigh acquired the site. He tried to modernise the castle but finding it difficult, built a new house. The castle was left to decay.
At the onset of the civil war, the castle returned to being a military stronghold. Parliamentary forces however lay siege to the site and made sure it couldn’t be used against them again. The walls were torn down and only the Southwest Gatehouse and some other parts survive today. The castle grounds boast lovely views of the surrounding countryside and a lovely spot to enjoy a picnic.
Adults – £6.50 | Concessions – £5.90 | Children – £3.90
4. Sherborne Museum
After walking the pretty streets of Sherborne, the local museum is a great place to gain further insight into the town’s history. Housed in the former gatehouse and almonry of Sherborne’s lost monastery, the museum explores the history of the town and the surrounding area. Highlights in the collection include a unique medieval wall-painting and a vast photographic archive of times gone by.
The museum is free to enter and a real asset to the town. There’s lots of stories to uncover. One such tale involves a local farmer who discovered inoculation against smallpox 24 years before Edward Jenner – the man credited with the theory. Unfortunately he never published his theory so got no recommendation whilst Jenner was given £30,000! It’s a real eye-opener and worthy of a couple of hours of your time.
Adults – Free | Concessions – Free | Children – Free
5. Sherborne Abbey
Founded by St. Aldhelm in AD 705, Sherborne Abbey is the star attraction in Sherborne. So much history exists in its walls – two Saxon kings are buried here and Sir Walter Raleigh worshipped here. The abbey evolved from a Cathedral to an Abbey to become one of the most beautiful parish churches in England.
Key to the abbey’s character is its core – the result of a revolt by locals against the Abbot in 1437. Angered by the Abbot’s efforts to sideline parishioners, the nave roof and tower were burnt. The town was punished by being made to pay for the magnificent reconstruction.
Inside, the abbey is most famous for its fan vaulting which covers virtually the entire ceiling. It’s among the finest in England. The misericords (shelves beneath the seats in the choir) are also fascinating. They depict all sorts of scenes like a woman beating her husband. The bench ends are also full of depictions to explore – one depicts a man selling cherries. There’s just so much to explore here.
Adults – Free | Concessions – Free | Children – Free
6. Sherborne Shops
For such a small town, Sherborne has an incredible variety of shops. There’s clearly a lot of money in these parts. Like Stamford, a pedestrianised high street (Cheap Street) gives freedom from traffic at the busiest time of day. There’s pretty much everything from from a violin repairer to made-to-measure corsetiere.
All your typical country town stores are here – Orvis, Crew Clothing, Joules. The essentials are covered by the likes of Sainsburys, Boots and a stunning colonnaded Waitrose . There is also an open-air market on Cheap Street on Thursdays and Saturdays 9am-4pm that’s worth visiting.
Adults – Free | Concessions – Free | Children – Free
7. The Jerram Gallery
For the artistically-minded, the Jerram Gallery is another place to visit in Sherborne. Established in 1993, the gallery exhibits Contemporary British pictures and sculptures. Six exhibitions are held throughout the year which feature both established and emerging artists.
It’s a lovely place to explore the current British art scene, with many works depicting England. The gallery is located on Half Moon Street and is free to enter.
Adults – Free | Concessions – Free | Children – Free
8. Cerne Abbas Giant
The instantly-recognisable Cerne Abbas Giant is one of the top things to do near Sherborne. Just 10 miles south of the town, the hill figure is one of three ancient giant figures cut into the English chalk downlands. (The others are at Wilmington in East Sussex and Uffington in Berkshire)
The controversial figure depicts a naked, sexually aroused man wielding a club. Mystery surrounds its origins – it may date back to the Romans or in fact be a 17th century cartoon.
The best place to the Giant is from the Giant Viewing Point parking just off the A352 road. For the slightly more adventurous, you can walk up Giant’s Hill and around the perimeter fence which protects the Giant. There’s a number of walks you can do and the village itself is a lovely place to explore with a ruined abbey, tea room and quaint cottages.
Adults – Free | Concessions – Free | Children – Free
9. Minterne House Gardens
A visit to an English market town like Sherborne isn’t complete with a trip to a country house. Situated twenty minutes drive south of the town is Minterne House Gardens. The gardens are the result of seafaring Victorians who brought back exotic species to create Himalayan gardens in England.
There’s over 27 acres of wild woodland garden to explore, punctuated with Rhododendrons, Azaleas & Magnolias. Each season provides something to explore – from snowdrops in winter to hydrangeas in June. It’s a lovely place to enjoy a cream tea – available on the East terrace with lovely views. The gardens are open daily from February through to November and a great option to wander ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’.
Adults – £6.00 | Concessions – £6.00 | Children – Free
10. Sherborne Abbey Festival
One of the best times of year to visit Sherborne is in May when the Sherborne Abbey Festival is in town. The festival runs for five days and showcases an array of performances, from author readings to music concerts. Acts take place throughout the town centre and past names include Michael Morpurgo and vocal ensemble Tenebrae.
What’s lovely about the festival is that around seventy percent of concerts are free entry. It really is an event for all. If you can’t make the May event then the Sherborne International Film Festival presents another opportunity to enjoy the town’s culture. The festival runs across four days in October and showcases some of the best recently released foreign films.
Adults – Various | Concessions – Various | Children – Free
Best Small Towns in England by Train
Sherborne is just one of my Best Small Towns in England by Train. Make sure to take a peak in order to discover similar towns in England. The West Country is full of lovely places, wonderfully rural with fascinating histories. Find out more!