Pictures of Sherborne Castle

a Castle in the town of Sherborne, in the county of Dorset

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About Sherborne Castle

Many fascinating tales remain from the time when Sherborne Castle was lived in by Sir Walter Raleigh, a favourite of Elizabeth I. Raleigh, a seasoned charmer, had coveted the Sherborne estate for some time, he admired the superb location of what was then a hunting lodge, and somehow he managed to persuaded the Queen to request the tenure of the castle from the Bishop of Salisbury. Once Elizabeth acquired the lease, she immediately passed it over to Raleigh, and when two years later he was banished from Court, he built himself a new house which he called "The Lodge", a name which stuck until around 1800. The house was a handsome square structure, with mellow walls standing four storey's high. It was adorned with graceful towers, pinnacles, heraldic beasts and magnificent chimney stacks, all of which stood out against the warm Dorset skyline. Unfortunately, Raleigh's tenancy was short-lived, he was executed in 1616, and after this Sherborne Castle estate was granted to Sir John Digby, who later became Earl of Bristol. Today, this family still live at Sherborne castle.

The Digby family enhanced the castle by the addition of four long wings, and yet more towers. In later years "Capability Brown" set out the magnificent landscape, making it a fitting backdrop for what is arguably one of the most romantic looking of all English castle's. The interior, although lavish, has smaller rooms than one would normally expect to find. That said, the scale of the state rooms is impressive, so too is the Solarium and Library. There are other more intimate rooms, each is special and all have stunning views over the garden, with its lovely flower beds, shaded bowers and picturesque lake with its abundance of wildlife.

In this wonderfully serene place visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences. Although the house was extensively redecorated in the 19th century, some of the rooms escaped, and these have remained largely untouched since the 17th century. Thus, the visitor is able to see unique interiors from most decorative periods of English architecture and interior design.

During its history the castle has opened its doors to the great and the good of several centuries. Past "Royal" visitors have included Prince William of Orange who visited in the 17th century, and George III who stayed at the castle in 1789.

Collections include fine Georgian furniture, porcelain, many splendid family portraits and other interesting paintings and works of art.

In the grounds you can explore the Adam-style Orangery, enjoy afternoon tea in the Tea Garden and hunt for souvenirs in the well stocked gift shop. In the distance, across the park you can catch a glimpse of all that remains of the old 12th century Norman castle.

Sherborne Castle is open from March until October.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Sherborne Castle.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Sherborne Castle

Sherborne Abbey	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)	Pictures
Fleet Air Arm Museum	(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Montacute House	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
The Cerne Giant	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction S)	Pictures
Ham Hill Country Park	(10.1 miles, 16.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Stourhead	(13.7 miles, 22.1 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Athelhampton House	(15.4 miles, 24.9 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Barrington Court	(15.6 miles, 25.2 km, direction W)	Pictures
Hardy's Cottage	(15.7 miles, 25.3 km, direction S)	Pictures
Roman Town House	(16.1 miles, 25.9 km, direction S)	Pictures

All attractions in Dorset
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Sherborne Castle

Sherborne, a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset (0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
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.
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Poyntington, in the county of Dorset (2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction N)
This is a delightful small village situated in the picturesque Blackmore Vale where the Dorset and Somerset boundary meets.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Melbury Osmond, in the county of Dorset (6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction SW)
A long, winding lane, flanked by grassy banks covered in fern and wild flowers, leads to the picture postcard village of Melbury Osmond
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Minterne Magna, in the county of Dorset (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction S)
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Cerne Abbas, in the county of Dorset (9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction S)
Famous for its huge chalk 'rude' giant, Cerne Abbas is a lovely ancient village in Dorset.
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Sydling St Nicholas, in the county of Dorset (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction S)
This is a particularly scenic village lying deep in a chalk-stream valley between open downs. Every approach to it is beautiful, whether crossing the hills from Cerne Abbas or Maiden Newton, or coming up the waters of the River Cerne between meadows flooded with spring lambs and ponies.
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Martock, in the county of Somerset (11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction W)
The interior of Martock's Ham-stone church is perhaps the grandest in all Somerset, the startling effect of the golden stone against the most lavishly decorated of the county's great tie-beam roofs is simply overwhelming.
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Gillingham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset (11.7 miles, 18.9 km, direction NE)
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Shroton, in the county of Dorset (13.4 miles, 21.6 km, direction E)
Interestingly, this enchanting village was the scene of warfare as General Wolfe trained his troops before his assult on Quebec in the mid 18th-century.
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Milton Abbas, a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction SE)
Milton Abbas is a superb thatched village which has the distinction of being the first planned village of its kind in England.
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All towns in Dorset
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Sherborne Station	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Thornford Station	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction SW)
M5 Junction 24	(24.0 miles, 38.6 km, direction NW)
M5 Junction 25	(24.9 miles, 40.1 km, direction W)
Bournemouth Airport	(31.6 miles, 50.8 km, direction E)
Bristol International Airport	(31.7 miles, 50.9 km, direction N)
Sherborne Castle to London	(110.3 miles, 177.4 km, direction E)

Accommodation & Hotels near Sherborne Castle

Hotel Name
Eastbury Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.6 km)
Sherborne Hotel	(1.0 miles, 1.7 km)
The Queens Arms	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction N)
The Half Moon Inn	(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction NE)
The Alex Lodge	(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction W)
Globetrotters Lodge	(5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction W)
Greystones Court Guest House	(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction W)
Preston Hotel	(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction W)
Sparkford Inn	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction N)
The Walnut Tree	(6.9 miles, 11.0 km, direction NW)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts