Sherborne

Sherborne exemplifies everything a quintessential English market town should be. Tucked into Dorset’s verdant landscape, this historic gem offers the rare pleasure of exploring two castles, a magnificent abbey, and charming independent shops within a single leisurely day.

We begin at the ‘Old’ Castle—romantic 12th-century ruins destroyed during the English Civil War. From here, it’s a short stroll to Sherborne’s heart, where the Abbey commands immediate attention. Founded in 705 AD, this living parish church boasts one of England’s finest fan-vaulted ceilings.

The ‘new’ castle—decidedly less new at 16th century—emerged when Sir Walter Raleigh decided the medieval fortress was too austere. Capability Brown designed the landscaped gardens and lake, creating vistas worthy of the finest landscape paintings.