Amazed by SHERBORNE: The Prettiest Town in Dorset? Weekend Visit to Sherborne

Amazed by SHERBORNE: The Prettiest Town in Dorset? Weekend Visit to Sherborne

Sherborne stands out as one of England’s 
most visually stunning towns. Its distinctive honey-coloured stone architecture is packed 
with centuries of history and heritage,   creating an atmosphere that is both impressive 
and inviting. At the heart of this beauty is the magnificent Sherborne Abbey, a true architectural 
masterpiece that defines the town skyline. What makes this picture-perfect location truly 
unique are its two castles. A dramatic romantic ruin alongside an elegant new castle 
set within the breathtaking grounds   designed by the legendary Capability Brown. 
Whether you’re exploring historic landmarks, enjoying the vibrant local market, or simply 
unwinding with a relaxing weekend away, Sherborne offers a wealth of activities 
and attractions waiting to be uncovered.   Join us for a delightful and insightful 
stay in this charming Dorset town. Unlike major local Roman centres like Dorchester 
and Ilchester, Sherborne was never a recognised Roman town or fortress. Its early history 
is deeply rooted in the Anglo-Saxon period, making it a place of significant importance in 
the ancient kingdom of Wessex. For a short period, it served as the capital of Wessex from 860 
to 78 AD, when Winchester was vulnerable to Viking attacks. The impressive abbey stands 
on the site of the original Saxon Cathedral, founded in 705 AD by St. Aldhelm, 
and we’ll explore that in more   detail later. It’s a very compact town, 
making it ideal for exploring on foot, and our first destination is just a 15-minute 
walk from the central abbey location. English Heritage manages the castle and it’s free 
to enter. You can find out the opening times here. The old castle’s ruins are a direct record of one 
of the most turbulent periods in English history. Surprisingly, not built by a king, 
but by one of the most formidable   power players of the Norman era, 
Roger De Caen, Bishop of Salisbury. In the 1120s, Bishop Roger, who also 
served as chancellor to King Henry I, began constructing what was essentially 
a heavily fortified palace. It was a statement of his enormous wealth and 
influence. Built not just for defence,   but also as a magnificent administrative 
centre for his vast religious estates. This strength, however, would prove to be 
his undoing. Following the death of Henry I, Bishop Roger’s political fortunes collapsed. In 
1139, King Steven, fearing the bishop’s immense power and loyalty, seized Sherborne along with 
Roger’s other castles. The castle thus passed out of ecclesiastical control and became a royal 
fortress for the next two centuries. It was a valuable prize, passing between the crown and 
various noble families. It was intermittently returned to the bishops of Salisbury, though 
usually after prolonged legal wranglings. By the late 15th century, the castle had 
regained some domestic comfort as bishops   began adding more modern residential wings. 
This, of course, was short-lived as the castle was seized by Henry VIII during the dissolution 
of monasteries as part of the Sherborne Abbey estate. Without the huge financial injection to 
maintain the castle, it quickly deteriorated. So, of course, over the years, the ownership 
of the castle changed, and Sir Walter Raleigh ended up persuading Elizabeth I to 
grant him the lease on the castle. So, he moved in and he didn’t actually stay here very 
long because he ended up developing the hunting lodge of the castle into a home for himself. And 
it’s right behind me, next door to the castle. And nowadays, that place, his old home, 
is known as Sherborne “New” Castle. And the one we’ve just toured around is Sherborne 
“Old” Castle. After Sir Raleigh abandoned the old castle for his newly built castle, the 
structure became a mere picturesque ruin on the estate. Raleigh’s ownership was brief. 
Following the death of Elizabeth in 1603, King James I confiscated the entire estate 
after Raleigh was accused of treason. Just come around the side bit, and there’s a 
big wall here. I’m not sure if that was from the 1100s, but it’s undoubtedly the moat. 
And you can see how deep it is. Real deep. I’m at the bottom of the moat now. And 
yeah, if this were filled with water, it would be pretty difficult to cross it and then 
get up that steep bank up to where the castle was. I’m going to give it a go at invading the castle. It’s extremely steep. Probably shouldn’t 
be doing this, actually. No. No. I don’t know if you can tell how steep it is, but 
I’m going to need two hands to get up. Now, we’ll just walk back the way we came. In 1617, the property was acquired by the 
Digby family, a prominent group of loyalist supporters. They focused all development on the 
new castle, leaving the old as a neglected but still fortified ruin on their land. This 
inherent strength proved fatal. In 1642, the castle was garrisoned for King Charles I 
and survived a parliamentarian attack. However, in August 1645, a second siege led by General 
Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell forced the Royalist garrison to surrender after 11 days. Cromwell 
immediately ordered the castle to be slighted, systematically demolished, preventing it 
from ever being used again. This act of destruction is why the castle exists 
today as a ruin. Centuries later,   the final ruins were incorporated into 
the landscape gardens of the new castle by Capability Brown. Transforming the remains 
of a fortress into a deliberate romantic folly. Back down at the gates of the castle is the church 
of St. Mary Magdalene, which serves the historic area of Castleton, a small settlement originally 
established outside the gates as a distinct borough, separate from the main town of Sherborne. The church’s history reflects the changing 
fortunes and ownership of the old castle. The earliest church on the grounds was a 
Norman structure built by Bishop Roger for his tenants. This building was demolished in 
the 1590s after Sir Walter Raleigh acquired   the estate. He replaced it with a new church in 
1601. However, this structure was short-lived, likely damaged during the Civil War sieges. The 
present church of St. Mary Magdalene largely dates from a comprehensive rebuilding in 1715 
paid for chiefly by William Fifth Lord Digby of the new castle estate who was credited with 
the design. Its architectural style is notable for blending early Georgian elements with an 
equally early Gothic revival style in its arcades. The surrounding houses belong to 
the historic borough of Castleton,   which maintained its own distinct market and court for centuries. Initially clustered near 
the church and the old castle entrance. Let’s take a stroll along Cheap 
Street, the main shopping thoroughfare. The conduit is one of the town’s 
most distinctive landmarks,   located at the parade, the square 
at the bottom of Cheap Street. The structure was originally built around 
1512 as a lavatorium, a washing house for the Benedictine monks within the north cloister 
of the Sherborne Abbey. This is where the monks would wash their hands and faces before meals. 
Following the dissolution, the lavatorium was dismantled and reerected in its current spot. It 
was then converted into a public water supply, a conduit to benefit the town’s people. It is 
a beautiful hexagon stone structure featuring a vaulted roof with decorated bosses and 
perpendicular style tracery in the window   openings. It is made from the local golden ham 
stone. The Abbey Pharmacy has been trading since 1790, having been in continuous operation 
for over 230 years. Pharmacy predates the formation of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in 
1841 and the establishment of the NHS in 1948. The name Cheap Street does not refer to 
low prices in the modern sense of the term.   It originates from the Old English word meaning 
‘trade,’ ‘bargain,’ or ‘market,’ identifying it as the main commercial centre and a central 
hub for trade since at least the Norman period, and likely since the late Saxon period when the 
town plan was established. Properties along the street were historically known as burgesses, 
long, narrow land plots running perpendicular to the street. These plots enabled medieval 
tradesmen to have a shop frontage on the busy street and living quarters, workshops, 
and gardens extended back towards the rear. The outlines of many of these plots are still 
recognisable in the modern property boundaries. Wooden stalls and movable animal pens were 
set up in the lower part of Cheap Street and   Greenhill for the sale of sheep, cattle hides 
and corn, particularly in the 17th century. Cheap Street Church is a joint 
Methodist and United Reformed   congregation. We’ll show you inside 
later in the video when it’s open. Despite many later Georgian and 
Victorian stone refrontings,   a relatively high number of original 
medieval timber-framed buildings survive, offering a glimpse of the street’s 
tudor and earlier appearance. On the corner of Abbey Road, Abbeylands 
serves as a senior boarding house for   Sherborn School within the former 
Abbey precinct out of sight from here. The house is architecturally notable 
for combining an earlier 16th-century   half-timbered facade on Cheap Street with a 
dominant stone entrance front on Abbey Road. Opposite is Swan Yard, a small walk-through 
shopping complex converted from stables. The post office building at number 
47 was originally a private residence   that was adapted for public use. 
It features a finely dressed ham stone facade with a five-window bay front, 
rusticated stonework on the ground floor,   and a prominent central doorway. The golden 
pillar box celebrates an Olympic gold medal winner from the 2012 games. They were painted 
gold in the hometown where they were born,   grew up, or where they trained. This is for Peter 
Wilson. Gold in shooting men’s double trap shotgun. The Shoemaker’s House, also known as Henry 
Willis’s Antique Silver Shop, boasts Sherborne’s most delightful 15th century facade. This jettied 
building, characterized by its overhanging upper story, is a remarkable example of the town’s 
heritage. Its long history includes periods as both a shoe makers and a candle makers shop 
before becoming the antique shop it is today. Hello. This little chap waiting 
very patiently. Beautiful you are. Oxford’s Bakers opened in 1911 
and advertises Dorset Lardy cake, a traditional type of rich spiced tea bread. It 
is made from a plain yeasted bread dough that is generally enriched with layers of richly rendered 
lard, sugar, mixed spices, and dried fruit. Oh, it’s good if you can get your hands on one. 
They also run bakery courses from here. The Country Crib has excellent curb 
appeal, specialising in thoughtfully   crafted organic apparel, accessories, 
and products for the garden and home. Oliver’s Coffee House is a beloved 
independent cafe. While the business   itself is relatively modern, the building 
it occupies is highly historic, featuring a striking and original art deco shopfront 
that dates back to 1927 when the premises housed Mould & Edwards General Provisions, 
merchants, and even earlier a butcher shop. We’ve reached the top of Cheap Street. There is 
still Upper Cheap Street and Green Hill to see,   but we’ll do that later. Firstly, it’s time for a 
quick break in the White Heart before we return to the conduit at the bottom of Cheap Street to visit 
the Sherborne Museum before it closes for the day. The Sherborne Museum is housed within 
the medieval abbey’s east gatehouse, which was once part of the former Benedictine 
monastery, and can be found on Church Lane directly behind the conduit at the bottom 
of Cheap Street. The gatehouse provided lodgings for a porter whose role was to 
control access to the monastic precinct. The museum is free to enter and offers a 
fascinating glimpse into the geological,   historical, industrial, cultural, and 
social heritage of the town and its surrounding area spanning from 
prehistory to the present day. The museum holds a wide range of artefacts 
associated with working life and rural crafts, from thatching and willow working 
to silver smithing and gloving. This artwork highlights the crucial role the 
river has played in the development of Sherborne, shaping the lives of those who have lived 
alongside it. Seven mills are highlighted   in the vicinity of the town around 1735. Corn 
mills, Fulling mills, silk mills, and even a water pumping station that still exists today and can 
be visited on the outskirts of town near the old castle. However, it’s only open on very select few 
days a year, so do check the website for details. The well-known Sherborne Dolls House 
is a finely furnished miniature home   that serves as a charming and accessible 
exhibit showcasing the domestic culture of the Victorian or Edwardian period in Sherborne. A highlight is the permanent digital display,   produced in collaboration with the British 
Library, that celebrates the Sherborne Missal, the largest and most lavishly decorated English 
service book to survive from the Middle Ages. The museum is open Tuesdays through to Saturday,   10:30 to 4:30, and is well worth a visit. 
More details can be found on their website. As the evening began to arrive, 
we put our cameras down for the   night and enjoyed several pints at 
different pubs and a simple evening meal. There are plenty of high quality 
restaurants to pick from if you choose. We’ll see you bright and early on Sunday 
morning as we continue this tour of Sherborne. Our day begins outside Newell Restaurant 
and Rooms where we stayed the night before. We’ll be walking up Green Hill, 
an area we haven’t explored yet. The street itself formed a crucial 
part of Sherborne’s infrastructure.   It was part of a significant historical 
route linking the medieval town with its 13th-century planned expansion 
known as the Borough of Newland. Historically, this area, located on the northern 
edge of the medieval town, was a public open space primarily serving as a site for markets and 
fairs. It was specifically used for setting up mobile animal pens during livestock markets, 
including the renowned annual pack Monday fair. Priory House is believed to be of late 
16th or early 17th-century origins. Its current appearance is heavily influenced 
by the significant remodelling that took   place in the early to mid-9th century. 
Its use, I was sadly unable to find out. The Antelope Hotel was a central coaching 
inn during the age of horse-drawn travel,   opening as early as 1748 on Green Hill. A vital 
stop on the main road, the A30 in this case, providing food, lodgings, and fresh horses. It’s 
now known as Antelope Place and converted into residential homes. We are making our way 
down Higher Cheap Street. At the lower end, we will find the George Inn, celebrated 
as the oldest surviving pub in Sherborne, with a documented history tracing back to 
1459. First mentioned when its operators were called before the Sherborne Hundred court for 
overcharging for horse feed.   Over the centuries, the establishment served as a coaching 
stop and maintains its historic character. In a prominent position next to the pub, 
the Julian, with late medieval origins,   was established as a charitable 
hospice and one of the oldest surviving non-ecclesiastical 
buildings in the town. At the top of Cheap Street, a large artisan 
market is being set up. This monthly Sunday market spans Cheap Street, Half Moon 
Street, and Digby Street, covering the   town’s main thoroughfares,. For future market 
dates, please visit their Facebook page. We’ll have a better look at the market 
later when it’s fully underway. For now,   retracing our steps halfway down Cheap Street, 
just past the post office is Abbey Road. We are heading for one of England’s oldest 
schools, founded in 1550 by King Edward VI. The Powell Hall is the school’s theatre, the 
main venue for drama and school performances, community events, and public hire. Abbey House was built on land that 
lay within the old Abbey precinct.   I believe it forms part of a boarding house now. The school backs onto the abbey 
and is not open to the public,   so we’ll have to stay this side of the gatehouse. Some of the notable former pupils include Alan 
Turing, mathematician, computer scientist, and incredible World War II codebreaker. Jeremy 
Irons, Oscar-winning actor known for Bride’s Head Revisited. David Cornwell, author of spy novels 
like Tinker Taylor, Soldier Spy. Hugh Bonneville,  actor best known for playing the Earl of 
Grantham in Downton Abbey. And Chris Martin, lead singer, songwriter, and co-founder of 
the band Coldplay. And there are many more. As we walk around the outskirts of the school’s 
main building, Abbey Road will lead us to Abbey Close,   just as the 9:00am bells chime out, 
proving we did get up very early this morning. The cottages, along with the almhouses of St. 
John, frame the open space of Abbey close,   which was once an integral part of the 
medieval abbey complex. After the dissolution, many of the monastic buildings were demolished 
or converted, and this area was redeveloped. Cottages were among the structures 
built in the years following,   helping to establish the new layout of the 
town around the church and Sherborn school. It’s too early to visit the abbey,   which will open to the public after Sunday 
service at 11:00 a.m. We’ll come back later. In front of the church, there is 
the 18th-century public Weybridge   house. It housed the mechanism, which was 
historically essential for weighing goods, especially agricultural produce 
and vehicles, to ensure fair trade. St. John’s House stands at the entrance to 
Sherborne Abbey Close. The almshouse of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist is 
one of the most historically significant and best   preserved medieval almshouses in the southwest of 
England. The original foundation deed of January 1437 specifies its purpose to care for 12 poor, 
feeble, and impotent old men and four old women. These residents were cared for by a housewife 
who managed their meals and domestic needs. Residents were often provided with a uniform 
(white woollen hooded gowns) and a board. What makes it truly unique is that it’s operated 
continuously as a charitable residence for   the elderly and infirm since its founding in the 
15th century, maintaining its original charitable purpose for nearly six centuries, and today it 
looks after 18 residents. The medieval part of the almshouse is a fine example of its kind. 
Built in the form of a monastic infirmary, the layout includes a chapel at the east end and 
a hall and dormitory range. It retains important medieval elements including original architecture 
and an imposing former entrance on Trendle Street. The building was significantly extended 
and improved in the Victorian era. In 1866, an addition to the east wing was built, which 
included new accommodation, a boardroom,   and the attractive forecourt cloister that defines 
the approach today. There is a small cafe open from 10 to 4:30 each day, and you can tour the building on select days in summer for a small fee. Heading south of the abbey, Digby Road is a 
relatively modern street in Sherborne as it owes its existence entirely to 
the arrival of the railway. It is   a striking contrast to the medieval 
street pattern of the town centre, and its name reflects the deep influence of 
the local aristocracy, the Digby family of Sherborne Castle. Of course, the Sunday 
market is now beginning to come alive,   and so it’s not easy to see the buildings on 
this road, which lead us down to the station. The most prominent building was opened 
in 1869 by George Digby Wingfield Digby of Sherborne Castle. It was a grand hotel 
built to accommodate passengers arriving by train and huntsmen visiting the area. 
In 1964, it closed and was purchased by Sherborne School and converted into a boys’ 
boarding house, retaining the name the Digby. Opposite, we enter the Pageant Gardens. The site 
was originally an undeveloped open area known as Half Moon Field, close to the River Yeo, and the 
newly built railway line, which opened in 1860. It served as a traditional public space, 
notably hosting travelling circuses and   menageries and even the annual pack Monday fair. 
The catalyst for the park’s creation was the Sherborne pageant of 1905. This massive historical 
production, dubbed the “mother of all pageants”, celebrated the 1200th anniversary of Sherborne’s 
Bishopdom, founded in 705 AD. The pageant was a huge success, attracting an estimated 30,000 
visitors and featuring over 800 local amateur performers in the ruins of the old castle. 
The considerable profits generated by the pageant were used to fund the creation of the 
permanent public park in the town. So that’s   how it got its name. The land was donated by 
FJB Wingfield Digby in memory of his father. We’ve arrived at the station, no more 
than a 7-minute walk from the abbey. South Western trains run every hour 
from London Waterloo in as little as   2 and 1/2 hours. It is possible to do 
this in a day trip if you get up early. If you plan to come by bus, then 
check this website for local services. Having had no breakfast at our lodgings, 
we took the opportunity to have a quick   cooked breakfast at the station cafe and 
were not disappointed. It was a real gem. Well, that was a very nice pit stop at the 
station cafe. Really good little breakfast,   actually. Very reasonable. I think it was 
£7.60, I think, for the classic plate. Not bad at all. Enjoyed that very much. Highly 
recommend you come have a little breakfast   here. It’s cheaper than in the centre of 
town. Right, let’s move on. Got lots to see. The railway arrived during the decline 
of Sherborne’s prominent silk industry,   and it was vital in sustaining the town’s 
economic recovery in the 19th century by improving communications and trade. The station 
was built on the Salisbury and Yeovil railway. They never actually operated their own trains. 
Instead, services were run by the London and South   Western Railway. This line formed a crucial part 
of the West of England main line connecting London Waterloo to Exeter St. Davids, running along the 
southern edge of Sherborne close to the river Yeo. Let’s just have a quick look at the 
map so we can see where we’ve got   to. We’re at the station and about 
to walk up to the slopes viewpoint, which allows us to look back at the 
town from a higher vantage point. You’ll use this route to visit 
the Sherborne Castle on foot,   but probably stick to the main road rather 
than clambering up onto the slopes as we are. Looking back at the town was not as impressive 
as we’d hoped. The view can only really take   in the top of the abbey and the rest of 
the town is obscured by the tree line. Further along, we didn’t have any better luck in   seeing the new Sherborne Castle 
from outside the entrance gates. Walking from the centre of town to 
the entrance will take about 10 to   15 minutes. And you can see from this map 
that the grounds are extensive. But sadly, they’re not allowing filming inside the 
house or on the grounds. So, we can go no   further on this tour. For information on 
visiting, take a look at their website. Heading back into the centre, it’s time to make 
our way to the abbey. This is Purlieu Meadow, a very popular spot for dog walkers. The 
footpaths connect to wider countryside routes, including trails leading up to 
Gainesborough Hill. The name   Purlieu itself suggests a historical 
link to an estate or forest boundary. a purlieu was a district lying just outside 
the property boundary of a forest but subject to forest laws. I believe this land is 
still owned by the Sherborne Castle estate. We are just finishing our walk up South Street   to meet the bottom of Cheap 
Street and Half Moon Street. One notable building is the former church house, 
which was built just before the dissolution of monasteries by the church wardens of the All 
Hallows parish, which was the church used by the town people that stood directly next to the 
abbey. The two-story structure originally housed a large church hall on the first floor for parish 
meetings, public gatherings, and community events, including the performance of plays. The ground 
floor contained a kitchen and tenements. After the demolition of the All Hallows Church in 
the 1540s, the building lost its original religious function. The lease was acquired 
by the masters and brethren of St. John’s   Arms House. And then in 1701, the building was 
formally converted into three separate tenements, and the ground floor space began its 
long history of use as commercial shops. We have passed by the abbey several times, 
and it’s finally time to explore this   wonderful building. Officially, it is known 
as the Abbey Church of St. Mary the Virgin, having served as a cathedral, a Benedictine Abbey 
and finally a parish church. The Saxon Cathedral was founded by St. Aldham, and Sherborne 
served as the seat of the bishop of the West Saxon Kings. Æthelbald and Æthelberht, 
the elder brothers of Alfred the Great, are believed to be buried here, although 
their locations are now lost. In 998, the cathedral was converted into a Benedictine 
monastery by the 12th Bishop Wulfsige III. It continued to function as both a cathedral and 
an abbey until the relocation of the bishop’s seat to Old Sarum in 1075 AD. Sherborne lost 
its cathedral status and remained solely as a powerful Benedictine Abbey. Bishop Roger De 
Caen began a significant Norman rebuilding and reconstruction around 1122 to 30. Sadly, 
much of the Norman architecture was lost in 1437 during another period of renovations. 
The town folk had always resented losing their church to the monks, which led to the 
building of All Hallows for their worship. This resentment bubbled up into a riot, and a 
burning arrow allegedly fired by a townsman caused a fire that severely damaged the choir. After the 
fire, Abbot Bradford oversaw the rebuilding of the abbey. The town’s people were heavily taxed 
to fund this effort, which ultimately resulted in the Abbey’s most magnificent feature, its 
breathtaking perpendicular Gothic architecture. With the dissolution of the monasteries 
by Henry VIII, the abbey was purchased by   the town people in 1539 to serve as their 
parish church, a role it continues today. The fan vaulting is a masterpiece of 
English perpendicular architecture,   finished around 1490 by William Smyth. It 
is one of the earliest great fan vaults in England and is often described as one of 
the finest Gothic ceilings in the world. Also in the nave is the great West window 
by the eminent stained glass artist, the late John Haywood. This was dedicated in 1998 
at a service attended by Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. The previous 
window was designed by Augustus Pugin,   but had faded badly and was beyond repair. Situated in St. Katherine’s Chapel is the 
tomb of John Leweston who died in 1584 and his wife Joan 1579. It is an elaborate 
freestanding altar tomb featuring recumbent effigies of John and Joan lying on the 
slab. The entire structure is sheltered   by a magnificent Corinthian canopy. John 
was a wealthy Dorset landowner and an active politician who served as a member of 
parliament for various Dorset constituencies. Leweston had no direct male heir, and 
his estate devolved to JohnFitz James,   the son of Leweston’s second wife, by a previous 
marriage. He commissioned this handmade monument as a gesture of gratitude. It represents the 
rise of the gentry class in the 16th century who asserted their status through lavish funerary 
monuments in major churches like the abbey. Another example is the monument of 
the third Earl of Bristol, John Digby.   It was erected after his death in 1698. It is a 
major high-quality example of English monumental sculpture. It was attributed to the Flemish-born 
sculptor John Nost, also known as John Van Nost, who was a prominent statuary working in 
England at the turn of the 18th century. The third Earl was the last to hold 
the title of Earl of Bristol in this   creation of the peerage, which 
became extinct upon his death. The organ, originally built and installed in 
1856 by the renowned London firm Graham Davidson, was based on their gold medal-winning organ 
exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London. R. C. Carpenter, a key architect in 
the Abbey’s extensive Victorian restoration,   designed the magnificent, ornate double case 
that houses the main organ in the north transept. The high altar is the most sacred part of the 
choir, positioned at the very east end. The   existing Reredos, the screen behind the altar, 
is a creation of the Victorian restoration period. It is made of Caen stone and was 
designed by the architect R H Carpenter,   the son or partner of R C Carpenter, 
who began the main restoration. This ornate stone cross was erected 
in 1884 as a memorial to George Digby Wingfield Digby of Sherborne Castle. Digby 
was the major benefactor who funded much of the extensive Victorian restoration of 
the abbey in the mid-19th century. The   memorial features bronze statues of four figures 
critical to Sherborne’s history. St. Aldham, the founder, Bishop Roger De Caen, 
the Norman builder, Abbott Bradford,   rebuilding after the fire, and Sir Walter 
Raleigh, the owner of Sherborne Castle. On the southeast buttress of the 
nave, you’ll also find a vertical   solar dial. This was erected in 1745 by 
the Sherborne mason Benjamin Bastard. Leaving the abbey back along Church Lane, 
we arrive at the bow arch. The arch is 15th-century and provides a gateway between the 
commercial Sherborn and the abbey precinct. It is believed that the 12 Monmouth rebels from 
the local area were hanged here in 1685. Back at the parade in the bottom 
of the now familiar cheap street,   let’s make our way up the street, checking out the market as we go and continue to see 
new things we’ve not yet shown you. The Cheap Street Church is finally open 
for us to visit. It operates as a vibrant   unified congregation of Methodist and United 
Reformed traditions, but its roots trace back to the early 19th century when Mr William 
Digby arrived in Sherborne from Cornwall and dedicated himself to the local Methodist 
cause. Initially accessible via Hospital Lane, the church became more visible in 1851 when shops 
on the frontage of Cheap Street were cleared to create a direct path from the main street. 
In 1862, fine cast-iron-framed side galleries were installed to accommodate the swelling 
congregation, along with a new pipe organ. I did try and buy some delicious James’s 
Dorset cheddar and would highly recommend. Reaching the top of Cheap Street, 
we turn right onto Newlands,   heading for the former Sherborne House. This fantastic property is a significant arts 
and event venue housed in a splendid Georgian mansion built around 1720 for Henry Seymour 
Portman, incorporating remnants of a 16th-century Tudor wing. The house is architecturally 
significant for its Palladian façade. It is most famously known for its grand staircase, 
featuring a stunning mural by Sir James Thornhill, the renowned artist behind the dome of 
St. Paul’s Cathedral.   Charles Dickens, a close friend of the owner in the 1850s, visited 
and famously gave a public reading of A Christmas Carol in a nearby stable block. The house 
served as a private residence until 1932, when it became Lord Digby’s school for girls, 
which it remained until 1992. After decades of deteriorating and remaining empty, the house was 
placed on the Heritage at Risk register. In 2018,  the Sherborne House Trust acquired the building 
and began a meticulous restoration effort to secure its future. The project successfully 
restored its historic character, preserving the Thornhill mural and adding modern cultural 
facilities. It reopened in 2024 as the Sherborne. Opposite the house is the Paddock Garden. Though 
a relatively modern addition to the town’s   landscape, the ground upon which the garden lies 
had a varied past. Once a row of cottages facing Newland, the buildings were demolished around 
1735 to clear the view for the owners of Sherborne House. The cleared area subsequently became a 
simple paddock for the household’s animals, giving   the area its enduring name. Decades later, when 
Sherborn House served as Lord Digby’s school for girls, the paddock was repurposed to accommodate 
tennis and netball courts. The creation of the paddock garden marked a significant moment for the 
town. It was the first public garden in Sherborn in a century. Officially opened in October 
2005 by gardening celebrity Alan Titchmarsh. We have pretty much shown you everything 
there is to see in Sherborne, but there is   one thing left. A wonderful nighttime walk 
montage with all the warm glowing lights of this historic town. We’ll keep quiet for 
the next few minutes so you can enjoy it. Well, that’s it. It’s well and truly 
nighttime here in Sherborne. Hope you’ve   enjoyed our little tour around. It’s been 
absolutely fantastic. Really enjoyed it. We’re going to go and get some sleep now 
before heading home tomorrow. But thanks   so much for joining us. Hope you do come and 
visit this lovely town. Do subscribe to the channel. We’ve got more like this. So go and 
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We were completely blown away by the beauty and history of Sherborne, an exceptional, highly walkable market town in Dorset. The local Ham Stone gives the entire town an unmistakable, warm honey biscuit hue. Sherborne’s history starts in the Saxon era, serving as the capital of Wessex. At its heart is the magnificent Sherborne Abbey, originally a Saxon cathedral, featuring one of England’s finest fan-vaulted roofs—a true masterpiece.
A short, easy walk from the town centre reveals the spectacle of two castles: the haunting ruin of Sherborne Old Castle (a 12th-century medieval fortress slighted by Cromwell) and the elegant, Elizabethan-era Sherborne Castle (the ‘New’ Castle), built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594. Strolling down Cheap Street, you’ll find the iconic hexagonal Conduit, originally a washing place for the monks. The town’s compact design makes it incredibly easy to explore all these sites, plus the Sherborne Museum, on foot.

It offers the ultimate, compact English historical experience. Visit Sherborne to explore its ancient streets, admire the unique architecture, and discover why we were truly captivated.

Helpful links
www.english-heritage.org.uk
www.sherbornecastle.com
www.sswc.co.uk
www.sherbornemuseum.com
www.sherborneabbey.com
https://stjohnshouse.org

Home

Transport www.firstbus.co.uk or www.southwesternrailway.com

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00:00:00 Sherborne Why Visit?
00:01:05 Early History and Old Sherborne Castle
00:09:57 Cheap Street
00:18:18 Sherborne Museum
00:21:35 Green Hill
00:24:42 Abbey Road & Sherborne School
00:26:29 Abbey Close
00:27:57 St Johns House (Almshouse)
00:30:13 Digby Street
00:31:16 Pageant Gardens
00:32:49 Sherborne Station Getting to Town?
00:34:51 Slopes Viewpoint
00:36:08 Sherborne Castle & Gardens
00:37:28 Half Moon Street
00:39:13 Sherborne Abbey Tour
00:48:01 Sherborne Sunday Market
00:50:26 Newlands (The Sherborne)
00:52:00 Paddock Gardens
00:53:23 Sherborne by Night