Explorer and buccaneer Sir Walter Raleigh lived at Sherborne Castle in North Dorset.

Sherbourne castle was built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 and has been the home to the Digby family since 1617. The building was a medieval hunting lodge in the Deer park

Sir Walter petitioned Queen Elizabeth to persuade the church to relinguish the estate to the crown. Raleigh then tried to modernise the 12th century old castle but decided to build a new home on the site of the hunting lodge.

The four wings were added in the 1620s. During the civil war parlimentary forces ruined it. William of orange visited in 1688 and was entertained by the Digby family. The gardens were laid out by Robert Digby.

Sir Walter Raleigh built the new house which he called Sherbourne lodge in 1594 and a stained glass window bearing his initals and coat of arms survived until the last century. Sir Walter was beheaded for treason by King James I allowed Sir John Digby to purchase the castle and his family have lived there ever since.

He explored America, bringing back potatoes and tobacco to Britain.  He eventually fell out with the Queen and was sent to the Tower of London, and was later beheaded for treason by James I.

During World War I the castle became a Red Cross hospital for wounded soldiers

During World War II it was used as the HQ for the Commandos of the D-day landings

The Castle was opened to the public in 1969 and hosts a variety of events in the Gardens during the summer season.

Opening Times Contact and Travel Information

Sherborne Castle Opening Times 1st April to 1st November 2009

Castle, Gardens, Shop and Tearoom Open every day except Mondays and Fridays (but open on Bank Holiday Mondays) from 11.00am with last admission at 4.30pm. The Castle interior opens later on Saturdays from 2.00pm.

Admission Fees Apply 2009

Castle and Events Manager
Sherborne Castle Estates
Cheap Street
Sherborne
Dorset DT9 3PY

Telephone: 01935 813182
Fax: 01935 816727

Getting there...

From The North
Leave the M5 at Junction 25 and follow signs for Yeovil and then Sherborne
From The East
From the M3 take the A303 signposted Sherborne (via Wincanton)
From The West
Take the A30 from Exeter and Honiton and follow signs to Yeovil then Sherborne

Mileages to Sherborne
London 125 miles
Reading 91 miles
Southampton 63 miles
Bristol 41 miles
Exeter 63 miles
Birmingham 129 miles
Manchester 208 miles

2009 Event Diary

Sunday 3rd & Bank Holiday Monday 4th MAY (provisional)
Open Access between the Old and New Castle grounds.

Bank Holiday Monday 25th MAY
Sherborne Castle Country Fair, Retriever Event & Rare Breeds Show 10.00am

Sunday 28th JUNE (provisional)
www.raceforlife.org
Cancer Research UK ‘Race for Life’ - 5k ladies charity fun run 11.00am

Wednesday 1st JULY (provisional)
Vineyards Wine Fair 6.00 - 9.00pm

Friday 10th JULY
www.illyria.uk.comIllyria outdoor theatre "The Three Musketeers" 7.00pm (doors 6.00pm)

Sunday 19th JULY
'Classics at the Castle’ Classic Car & Supercar Show 10.00am
Vintage & classic car displays, classic car run, trade & craft stands, autojumble, childrens entertainments

Sunday 2nd AUGUST
Illyria outdoor theatre "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" 7.00pm (doors 6.00pm)

Saturday 31th OCTOBER & Sunday 1st NOVEMBER
Autumn Colours Weekend - reduced price entry to gardens and grounds 11.00am - 4.30pm

Saturday 7th NOVEMBER
‘Firework Extravaganza’ Entertainments, music, food from 4.30pm; Bonfire 7pm, Fireworks 7.30pm