Sherborne Guide

Sherborne New Castle was built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594. In 1617 the Wingfield Digby Family acquired the Castle and it has remained their family home ever since. The castle consists of 40-acres of grounds, all of which are accessible for viewing. There are paths and trails around the lakeside gardens for the public to wander around and look out across the lake. The collections of art and furniture inside the Castle are awe-inspiring and have attracted many visitors from around the world.

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Sherborne Old Castle was built in the 12th century by the Bishop of Salisbury. It was a grand castle set in acres of countryside. Unfortunately after a long siege during the Civil War, the Castle was captured and then abandoned by Cromwell. Over time the castle has decayed and all that remains today are the Southwest Gatehouse and parts of the castle including the Great Tower and the North Range. The remaining ruins situated in the grounds of the ‘new’ Sherborne Castle are still worth a visit. 

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Sherborne Museum is full of memorabilia. The majority of the 15,000 artefacts stored in the museum have been donated from local residents. The museum allows visitors to explore Sherborne’s history by admiring the various objects from different time periods on display.

Sherborne Museum has close links to Castleton Waterwheel Museum. The waterwheel was built in 1869 and has been restored over time so visitors are able to see the wheel in full working order on the museum open days. The museum also displays what's left of the Nether Cerne Manor Waterwheel which was built in 1819 and is one of the oldest iron waterwheels to remain in England.  

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The Abbey was originally a Saxon Cathedral, founded in AD 705. It went on to be a worshipping ground for a monastic community and a school. It was fully restored to its current state in 1884 as a parish church.

By contacting Sherborne Abbey Bellringers, visitors to the Abbey are able to ring the 15th century bells, which are located in the central tower. The bells are the heaviest peal of eight bells in the world so it is definitely a unique experience. There are guided tours of the abbey on Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons but visitors are allowed to freely walk around the Abbey on any day. 

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Quarr Local Nature Reserve is host to various wildlife, plants and trees. The 5 acres are accessible to the public whatever the weather. It is owned by Sherborne Town Council whose aim to extend the range of habitats by expanding the woodland areas. There are also areas of mown grass where visitors are able to have picnics or walk their dogs. This runs into a meadow where the grasses and flowers are left to grow throughout the Spring and Summer, to attract butterflies and insects to habitat there; you can enjoy a pleasant walk through the meadow along the pathways. 

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Shopping in Sherborne is about the unique gifts you can find from small independent shops rather than big retail outlooks. Cheap Street is the main shopping street in Sherborne. It has been pedestrianised so people can shop safely. Cheap Street is well known for the hidden gems you can find in its array of antique and charity shops. Sherborne upholds its market town status through regular busy street markets on Thursday and Saturdays and a monthly Farmer’s market towards the end of the month.  

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You can pick up a Blue Badge guided tour at the Information Centre, every Friday morning throughout June to September. The walk is very informative and highlights key areas of Sherborne. The walk lasts around an hour and a half and a small fee is charged. You can find out more information from Sherborne Town’s event webpage or by telephoning 01935 815341. 

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Yeovil is only a 5 minute train journey from Sherborne with South West Trains. There is a lot to see and do in this blossoming market town. There is a shopping centre, two theatres, an adventure playground and Yeovil Countryside Park, just to name a few!

Quedam shopping centre is packed with well known names. Octagon Theatre and Swan Theatre stage numerous performances throughout the year with local and professional actors. Jungle Jungle is an indoor adventure playground, suitable for children of all ages. Yeovil Countryside Park has 127 acres; there are rivers, lakes, a waterfall, open grassland, woodland and a child’s play area for all to enjoy. 

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