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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Salford, Manchester

Salford

in the county of Greater Manchester

Castle Acre Priory, Norfolk

Castle Acre

in the county of Norfolk

Pictures of Sherborne

a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset

About Sherborne

This delightful small north Dorset town is blest with an array of fine medieval buildings. These range from beautiful domestic Tudor properties to its fine Abbey, and two historic castles. The Abbey was begun by Roger de Caen, Bishop of Old Sarum, in the 12th century, and during the next three hundred years many additions and alterations were made until the building was finally completed in the 15th century.

Sherborne castle was originally purchased from the church by Queen Elizabeth I for her favourite, Sir Walter Raleigh. He was the originator of Sherborne Lodge, which was granted to the Digby family after Raleigh's execution in 1616. It is the Digby family, later to become Earls of Bristol, who added the splendid wings to the Lodge, thus the status of castle became more fitting. It was from Sherborne castle that William of Orange issued his proclamation in 1688. The ruins of "old" Sherborne castle can be seen outside the town.

Within Sherborne's picturesque winding streets there are many other noted buildings, and you can easily identify some of the earlier Monastic buildings, these form part of Sherborne school which was founded in 1550.

There are Almshouses, and two museums offer fascinating displays and information on the history of Sherborne and its people. There are pleasant relaxing gardens, and noted inns can be found both in and outside the town. Guided walks can be arranged through the local tourist information centre. There are some lovely shops and a market is held each Thursday and Saturday.

The softly glowing Ham stone of which most of the town properties are built, lends warmth and atmosphere to what is already a unique and attractive place.

Recommended towns & villages near Sherborne

Hardy's Dorset

Melbury Osmond (3 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction SW of Sherborne)

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Minterne Magna (22 Pictures) in the county of Dorset

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Sturminster Newton (40 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset

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Cerne Abbas, Dorset.

Cerne Abbas (68 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction S of Sherborne)

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Sydling St Nicholas (22 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

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Nearby attractions..

Sherborne Old Castle

Sherborne Castle (80 Pictures)

(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)

Many fascinating tales remain from the time when Sherborne Castle was lived in by Sir Walter Raleigh, a favourite of Elizabeth I......

Sherborne Abbey at night

Sherborne Abbey (7 Pictures)

(0.7 miles, 1.2 km)

Without doubt this magnificent Abbey built centuries ago of creamy Ham stone ranks amongst the finest Abbey churches anywhere in.....

Fleet Air Arm Museum, Somerset

Fleet Air Arm Museum (3 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction NW)

The Fleet Air Arm Museum houses Europe's largest Naval aviation collection. Go on-board Concorde and be transported by a.....

Montacute House

Montacute House (68 Pictures)

(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction W)

This is one of the most glittering of all the great Elizabethan mansions in England. It is built of glowing honey-coloured Ham.....

Lytes Cary Manor, June 2009

Lytes Cary Manor (42 Pictures)

(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction NW)

Intimate manor house with Arts & Crafts-style garden. Tudor great hall and 14th-century chapel, this was home to medieval.....

Cerne Giant in Cerne Abbas, Dorset.

Cerne Abbas Giant (2 Pictures)

(9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction S)

This magnificent figure cut into the turf of a chalk hillside is best viewed from the north of the village. He is known as "The.....

Stourhead frozen lake sunset

Stourhead (94 Pictures)

(13.8 miles, 22.3 km, direction NE)

Designed by Henry Hoare II, Stourhead is one of England's most picturesque landscape gardens with classic temples and palladian.....


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