Sherborne is a picturesque and historic market town with golden coloured stone buildings including the Abbey. There are many independent shops. Markets are held in Cheap Street on Thursdays and Saturdays. A town trail is available from the Tourist Information Centre or download from www.visit-dorset.com. Guided walking tours are also available.
TI tel. 01935 815341.
www.sherbornetown.com | www.sherbornedorset.co.uk | www.visit-dorset.com
Almost 2000 years old, Sherborne Abbey became the parish church of Sherborne with the dissolution of the monasteries.
One of England's great churches, it is a magnificent building with many fine features including notable fan vaulting
and the heaviest peal of eight bells in the world.
Open Daily from 0800, see website for services and closing times.
www.sherborneabbey.com
Housed in the former Almonry of the Abbey, the Museum tells the story of Sherborne.
Highlights include a medieval wall painting, a Victorian dolls' house, Edwardian botanical watercolours, artefacts
from the 17th-century siege of Sherborne Castle and a digital version of the Sherborne Missal illuminated manuscript.
Admission free, donations welcome.
Open Apr-Oct, TWThFS 1030-1630. Feb-Mar, TThS 1030-1630.
www.sherbornemuseum.co.uk
The restored large waterwheel and later steam engine pumped clean water for the town from 1869 to 1959.
Refreshments and picnic area. Admission free, donations welcome.
Open Mar-Oct, once a month, see website for dates and times.
www.sswc.co.uk
Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 to replace the Old Castle, the historic house has been the home of the
Wingfield Digby family since 1617. Decorative styles cover over 400 years of English history with collections of furniture,
paintings and porcelain. The Gardens and Pleasure Grounds were landscaped by Capability Brown, surviving largely unaltered today.
Highlights include spring bulbs and daffodils, herbaceous borders, a lake and many fine trees.
Refreshments at adjacent Garden Centre. See website for events programme.
Open Apr-Sep, TWThFSSu & BH 1000-1700, Castle see website. Oct, TWThFSSu 1000-1630 Gardens only.
www.sherbornecastle.com
The ruins of a 12th-century fortified bishop's palace, later leased to Sir Walter Raleigh.
The Old Castle was a powerful Civil War Royalist base before falling to Parliamentarians after a fierce siege. Light refreshments.
Open Apr-Oct, WThFSSu & BH 1000-1700.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
The landscaped Gardens include small lakes, waterfalls and streams. Plants include rhododendrons, azaleas,
spring bulbs, cherries and maples. Garden Tea Shop (weather permitting).
Open Feb-Oct, Daily 1000-1800.
www.minterne.co.uk
Bus CR5 from opposite station to Minterne Magna Church, the Gardens entrance is a few yards beyond the church.
24 minutes journey, M-F only, every 1½-3 hours.
Operated by South West Coaches.
Buses also operate from Dorchester.
