Visit Sherborne in Dorset, England

Ancient Market Town has an Abbey, a Ruined Castle and a Manor House

Sep 13, 2009 Pamela Watson

For more than 1300 years, Sherborne in the West Country in Dorset has been a gathering place for pilgrims and travelers. Today it's a great place for a family holiday.

Walking the narrow, ancient streets of the town of Sherborne is like going back in time. Suddenly the voices of shop keepers and customers seem to fade into the cries of peddlers, the chants of monks, and the dickering of peasants. The year 705 A.D. seems much closer.

That’s the date that Sherborne Abbey, the imposing stone church in the center of the town was founded, but the town itself is older having possibly been settled around 658 A.D. Located in the west country about 125 miles southwest of London, Sherborne is a picture-postcard medieval English town that is also a thriving modern day community. Thatched roofed English country cottages can be found in and around the town, and hotel accommodations are plentiful.

Sherborne Abbey

Rich in history and architectural detail, Sherborne Abbey was once the seat of the Saxon bishopric that stretched from present day Wiltshire to Cornwall. King Ethelbald (860) and King Ethelbert (865), brothers of King Alfred the Great are buried here as are many of the bishops and abbots who served the church. The cathedral became an abbey in 1075 when the seat was moved to Salisbury.

The original Saxon church was added to many times over the centuries, but a Saxon doorway built in 1050 is still visible. The abbey’s greatest architectural feature is the magnificent fan vault above the nave and choir. The earliest, large-scale fan vault to be built in England, it dates from the early 15th Century. There are many intriguing details to be found throughout the church and children particularly enjoy hunting for gargoyles, mermaids and other creatures with the free trail guides available.

Sherborne Old Castle

Built in the early 12th Century by Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury, Sherborne Old Castle as it is known, is a magnificent ruin that is perfect for exploring and photographing. Enjoyed by the bishops as a luxury home for 200 years, the castle was seized by the Crown in 1335. It was given as a gift by Elizabeth I to Sir Walter Raleigh in 1592, who built his country manor house on the grounds.

During the English Civil War, the castle was occupied by representatives of the Crown. When Oliver Cromwell’s troops attacked in 1645, it took about two weeks for them to capture it due to its well fortified and defensible position. Since then the castle has remained a noble ruin. Visitors will find ample parking and a small entry fee is charged. Sherborne Old Castle is managed by English Heritage and is open daily from April through October.

Sherborne Manor House

Also known as Sherborn New Castle, the manor house has been the ancestral home of the Digby family since 1617. Built by Sir Walter Raleigh as a hunting lodge in 1594, the castle houses an outstanding collection of artworks, furnishings, and over 400 years of history. Staterooms and bedchambers reflect Tudor, Jacobean, Georgian and Victorian styles and artifacts from the Old Castle as also on display.

The famous 18th Century English landscape artist Capability Brown created the 50-acre lake and 30-acres of lakeside gardens in 1753. Visitors can enjoy the gardens, tour the home and relax in the tea room and gift shop. Sherborne Castle is open April through October and an entry fee is charged. In England call 01935 813182 for more information.

Sherborne Market Town

No West Country family holiday would be complete without a trip to the outdoor market. A market town for centuries, Sherborne maintains the tradition of an open air street market on Thursdays and Saturdays. Shoppers will find everything from baked goods to books and from flowers to furniture in the stalls at the bottom of Cheap Street.

However, any day means great shopping in Sherborne. Antiques shops, home goods, apparel, gifts, and china are only the beginning. Great delis, wine shops and fresh food vendors abound. Relax in a local pub, tea room or coffee shop to finish the day in this historic Dorset market town.

Sherborne Hotel Accommodations

Visitors to Dorset will find Sherborne a great place to base and explore the town and the countryside. From English country cottages to modern hotels to historic pubs and coaching inns, there is a wide variety of hotel accommodations.

For more information about Sherborne, short breaks or a family holiday, visit the Town of Sherborne or call in England 01935 840565.

The copyright of the article Visit Sherborne in Dorset, England in U.K./Ireland Travel is owned by Pamela Watson. Permission to republish Visit Sherborne in Dorset, England in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Cheap Street in Sherborne, Dorset, England	Sherborne Abbey	Exploring Sherborne Old Castle
Sherborne Manor House or New Castle	The Market Town of Sherborne in Dorset