Two castles, a medieval abbey and one of England's finest market towns — all within walking distance of each other
About this day
This is one of our hand-crafted Dorset Days — a complete itinerary built around three locations that sit within a few miles of each other, so you spend your time exploring rather than driving. All stops, parking details, tips and food recommendations are included.
Begin at Sherborne Castle — not a medieval fortress but a 16th-century mansion built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, set in 42 acres of landscaped grounds designed by Capability Brown. The castle is still owned by the Digby family and contains an outstanding collection of furniture, porcelain and paintings. The gardens, with their lake and views of the Old Castle ruins across the water, are among the finest in the south of England.
The view across the lake to the ruins of the Old Castle — with Capability Brown's landscape framing the scene — is one of the great views in English garden history.
Useful to know
Walk 15 minutes into the town centre to Sherborne Abbey — one of the finest abbey churches in England, with a magnificent fan-vaulted ceiling that is among the most beautiful in the country. The abbey dates from 705 AD and the current building is largely 15th-century Perpendicular Gothic. The town of Sherborne itself is a delight — a compact market town of golden Ham stone buildings with excellent independent shops, cafés and restaurants.
The fan-vaulted ceiling of Sherborne Abbey is one of the finest in England — standing beneath it is genuinely awe-inspiring.
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End the day at the ruins of Sherborne Old Castle — a 12th-century fortress that was the residence of Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury, and later of Sir Walter Raleigh before he built the new castle. The castle was besieged twice during the Civil War and partially demolished in 1645. The English Heritage ruins are atmospheric and the views across the lake to the new castle are superb.
Standing in the ruins of the Old Castle and looking across the lake to the house that replaced it — 400 years of history in a single view.
Useful to know
The best pubs and cafes within easy reach of today's stops — all from our Dorset Business Directory.
A classic real ale pub tucked away in a lane behind the abbey, with a rotating selection of ales from local and regional breweries. No food — just excellent beer in a characterful setting. One of the best pubs in Dorset for real ale enthusiasts.
A proper real ale pub hidden behind a medieval abbey — exactly the kind of place you stumble upon and never forget.
A traditional town centre pub serving food and local ales. A reliable lunch stop in the heart of Sherborne.
A solid town centre pub with good food — a reliable choice for lunch.
A popular café in the town centre serving good coffee, sandwiches and homemade cakes. A good option for a mid-morning break before the abbey.
Good coffee and homemade food in a lovely market town — a perfect morning stop.
The Featured Recommendation slot is available for local businesses. Get in touch to find out more.
Sherborne Castle: car park at DT9 3PY. Sherborne town centre: Digby Road car park, DT9 3NL (pay and display).
Sherborne Old Castle: small car park at DT9 3SA (English Heritage). The town centre is compact — most stops are within easy walking distance.
From Dorchester: A352 north to Sherborne (approx. 20 miles, 30 mins). From Yeovil: A30 east to Sherborne (approx. 6 miles, 10 mins). Sherborne has a mainline railway station with direct trains from London Waterloo.
Sherborne Abbey is fully accessible. Sherborne Castle has good accessibility on the ground floor. The Old Castle ruins involve uneven ground — challenging for wheelchairs.
Sherborne is beautiful year-round. The castle gardens are at their best in spring and summer. The abbey is open daily. The town is quieter on weekdays.
Dogs: Dogs welcome in the castle grounds and the Old Castle. Dogs are not permitted inside the castle or the abbey. The Digby Tap is dog-friendly.
Download this day as a PDF to take with you, or head back to browse more pre-built Dorset days.
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