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Opening
Admission
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Tearoom
Gift shop
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Information
1st April – 14th November 2021
| Adult | Child (0-15) | |
|---|---|---|
| Gardens Only | £9 | FREE* |
**maximum of 4 children per paying adult
| Historic Houses members | Adult |
|---|---|
| Gardens Only | FREE |
The Old Castle is administered and managed by English Heritage.
| English Heritage members | Adult |
|---|---|
| Gardens Only | £7.50 |
| Annual subscription Jan to Dec | Six month subscription July to Dec | |
|---|---|---|
| Gardens Only | £60 | £30 |
Gardens Only Season Ticket: allows the holder the benefits of free parking; the opportunity to walk within 42 acres of beautiful lakeside gardens and landscaped grounds; to see a variety of wildlife on the 50-acre lake; to be accompanied by up to 4 children free of charge (aged 0 to 15 years). Dogs are welcome on a short lead.
All season ticket holders receive a 10% discount on purchases made in the Castle Gift Shop and Tea Room
A Season Ticket permits the named holder to walk in the gardens and grounds of Sherborne Castle every day of the year during the hours below
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8am | 8am | 8am | 8am | 8am | 10am | 10am | 10am | 10am | 9am | 9am | 9am |
| Close | 4pm* | 4pm | 5pm | 6pm | 6pm | 5pm | 5pm | 5pm | 5pm | 5pm | 4pm | 3.30pm |
| Open | Close | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8am | 4pm* |
| Feb | 8am | 4pm |
| Mar | 8am | 5pm |
| Apr | 8am | 6pm |
| May | 8am | 6pm |
| Jun | 10am | 5pm |
| Jul | 10am | 5pm |
| Aug | 10am | 5pm |
| Sep | 10am | 5pm |
| Oct | 9am | 5pm |
| Nov | 9am | 4pm |
| Dec | 9am | 3.30pm |
*Subject to light conditions/daylight hours only
Tickets are valid for the named card holder only. Terms and conditions apply. With the exception of certain Special Event days, when an additional entrance fee may be charged; this should be no more than 5 days per year.
Sherborne Castle is located in the north of west Dorset – on the edge of the medieval town of Sherborne. Sherborne boasts two castles – the New, and the ruins of the Old; despite having over 400 years of history, we (Sherborne Castle) are the ‘New’ Castle. B3145, 3/4 mile from the town centre.
Sherborne Castle, New Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NR Tel. 01935 813182
From The North: Leave the M5 at Junction 25 and follow signs for Yeovil and then Sherborne.
From The East: Via the A303 signposted Sherborne (via Wincanton) or A30.
From The West: Via the A30 from Exeter and Honiton and follow signs to Yeovil then Sherborne.
From the South: Via Blandford or Dorchester (A352).
IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE: There is only one entrance gate into Sherborne Castle. This is on New Road, Sherborne (B3145) – adjacent to Castle Gardens garden centre. Other routes shown by in-car SatNav or Google mapping systems etc, are physically NOT possible.
London Waterloo to Exeter St. Davids services call at Sherborne (approx 2 hours 15 minutes from London).
The Castle is a 10 minute walk from Sherborne Station, and a local taxi firm can be found just outside the station.
Bus stop outside the castle gates. Regional bus services to Sherborne from other regional towns can be found by contacting traveline – the public transport information service.
The Tea Room will be serving a slightly reduced take out menu serving all your favourite cakes, hand roasted coffee made on the Estate, hot and cold drinks, ice creams and snacks.
A free Wi-Fi connection is available.
| Open | Closes |
|---|---|
| 11am | 4.30pm |
| Open | Closes |
|---|---|
| 11am | 4.30pm |
We offer special discount rates for groups of 15 or more visitors, all our group tours include admission to the Castle, Gardens and Grounds.
| Includes admission to the Castle and Gardens | Adult | Child (0-15) |
|---|---|---|
| Self-guided castle tour | £10.50 | £4 |
| Private Viewing of the Castle with a tour guide | £14 | £7 |
Self-guided castle tour: Available in the High Season ONLY, Take the Castle Tour in your own time and ask questions of the Stewards if you wish to and visit the gardens at your leisure.
Private Viewing of the Castle with a tour guide: Available High and Low Season. Book the fascinating and informative tour of the Castle with your own tour guide and visit the Tea rooms and beautiful gardens after the tour. Please email for availability [email protected] or call 01935 813182.
Choose one of the following themes for your tour:
If you would like to bring a group to Sherborne Castle we suggest you make a booking as soon as possible. If you would like to discuss your requirements please email [email protected] or call 01935 813182.
On arrival at Sherborne Castle you will receive a warm welcome; we will introduce you to the Castle, explain where everything is located in the gardens and run through the arrangements of your visit.
We are easy to find and accessible for coaches, being located only a few minutes from the historic town centre of Sherborne and the main A30 road to the West Country. There is ample space for free coach parking.
Come and explore Dorset’s “hidden gem” and see magnificent state rooms, a Tudor kitchen; relics from the Civil War and archaeological treasures in the Castle’s cellars. Enjoy easy short and long walks set within the beautiful Dorset countryside in one of the finest examples of ‘Capability’ Brown’s landscape you will see anywhere, not forgetting to leave time to browse our souvenir gift shop and take refreshment, a light lunch or snacks in our tea rooms.
We recommend you plan for a minimum time here of 4 to 5 hours, which includes the average time taken to complete a castle tour with sufficient time to see the gardens and grounds, the gift shop and a visit to the tea rooms.
If you are looking for a full day out why not combine the Castle and Gardens with the historic market town of Sherborne and its wonderful Abbey or the ‘old’ Castle ruins?
Find out more about Sherborne town at discoversherborne.co.uk
Self Guided (High Season) is available at £4 per child or the private viewing (High/Low Season) £7 per child. To make your visit more interesting and fun why not purchase our Children’s pack which includes a pencil, Castle Quiz and a Children’s Nature Trail for the Gardens. £1 per pack.
Language information sheets are available for group leaders or individual students in French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and German.
Coach drivers have free entry to the Castle and Gardens and are entitled to receive a free voucher for drinks and food in the Tea Room. There is unlimited free parking for coaches and cars.
Visitors are welcome to picnic in all areas of the gardens and grounds. Picnic tables are provided where indicated on the gardens map between the walled garden and the lake near the Tea Room and in the ‘Donkey Paddock’. Please avoid any function or private event taking place at the time. Bar-b-ques or any other naked flames are not permitted anywhere in the gardens and grounds.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times whilst in the Castle, Gardens and Grounds.
We offer FREE admission to the gardens and grounds and the castle for all children under age 16. The only stipulation we make is that a maximum of FOUR children only must accompany one adult paying the full admission price for the castle and gardens.
A Children’s pack is available for purchase at £1, containing a pencil, Castle Quiz and Children’s Nature Trail.
Regretably, we do not admit baby back pack carriers to the Castle, due to the dangers of low doorways, steps and arches plus the high risk of damage to Castle contents; front sling carriers are admitted. Pushchairs are admitted at the discretion of the Castle staff.
We welcome amateur photography within the gardens and grounds. We regret, however, that photography in the Castle is not permitted, this includes video cameras and mobile phone cameras. No commercial use of photographs is permitted in any part of the estate without written permission.
There are two sets of toilets: one at the foot of the Castle in the Castle Yard, the other just outside the Castle Yard which has wider cubicles for wheelchair use and baby changing facilities.
Mobile phones and their cameras must not be used inside the Castle.
We endeavour to provide a safe and healthy environment for visitors within the constraints of an historic property and as far as is reasonable and practicable. Please observe all notices during your visit, and follow any instructions given by staff. Occasionally, parts of the Castle, Gardens and Grounds require to be closed for essential maintenance; please do not enter cordoned off areas and observe any directions and signs accordingly.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times whilst in the Castle, Gardens or Grounds.
The Gardens have a well maintained collection of trees, however, visitors are advised not to shelter under trees during an electrical storm (due to the danger of lightning) and to exercise caution when walking under trees in high winds. The estate will close the Gardens if adverse conditions threaten visitors safety; please leave promptly if requested to do so.
Please be aware that there are staircases, steps and slopes to negotiate where care should be taken by all visitors. There is a large lake within the grounds, in which paddling or swimming is forbidden; children should be supervised at all times. Under no circumstances should anything be picked or eaten from the gardens. Some plants have sharp thorns and/or are poisonous. Visitors with back packs are asked to carry these by hand whilst in the Castle, or leave them at the Castle Reception.
For viewing inside the Castle we regret that sharp-heeled shoes are not permitted due to the damage that they cause. We would also like to remind visitors that ridged soles trap grit and gravel, which scratch fine floors. Please wipe your feet thoroughly on the entrance mats.
Warning: Whilst in the Gardens and Grounds, some surfaces may become slippery and/or soft during inclement weather. The courtyard by the Shop and Tearoom has an uneven cobbled surface; please take extra care when walking across any uneven surface.
Smoking is not permitted inside any building within the Castle grounds.
Visitors are not permitted to fish in the lake.
For details on Angling Rights, please click here.
Dogs are welcome in the Gardens provided they are kept on a short lead at all times. Please clear up any mess and place in a litter bin. Dogs (except for guide or assistance dogs) are not permitted inside the Castle, Shop or Tearoom.
Opening
Admission
Find Us
Disabled
Tearoom
Gift shop
Groups
Dogs
Information
1st April – 14th November 2021
Good Friday 10th April to 1st November 2020
Closed Mondays & Friday, but open Bank Holiday Mondays & Friday 8th May, Good Friday.
* Castle and Gardens tickets need to be purchased 48 hours before entry to qualify for the 10% discount, after that normal price.
