Please join us for a self-drive visit to Sherborne Castle and Gardens.
The house (on the edge of the town) was originally built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 but has been extended and developed over the centuries since. It now reflects a glorious variety of decorative styles from over 400 years of English history. There is a fine collection of furniture, paintings and porcelain. The 42-acre gardens and grounds were designed by Capability Brown.
For more information please see
https://www.sherbornecastle.com/
We will have a private guided tour of the castle from 10.30am - 12.00pm. The suggested total time to visit the castle, gardens and grounds is 4-5 hours.
The cost is £22pp to include the tour of the house and entry to the gardens.
There is ample parking and car sharing would make sense given the current cost of fuel!
The castle doesn't have its own tea room but refreshments (including lunch) are available in the restaurant of the adjacent garden centre. See:
https://thegardensgroup.co.uk/
Alternatively, there are lots of eating options in Sherborne itself which is only a few minutes’ drive down the road. You may wish to extend your day by visiting other attractions in Sherborne, including the stunning abbey with its glorious fan-vaulted ceiling and The Sherborne, a fairly recently opened, and free, arts centre situated in a fine 18th century townhouse which boasts a painted hall by Sir Thomas Thornhill (he of St. Paul's cupola fame). It also has a café and restaurant and frequently changing exhibitions of contemporary arts and crafts. See:
https://www.sherborneabbey.com/
https://www.thesherborne.uk/art-heritage
Close by there is also Sherborne Old Castle which is in the care of English Heritage and free to enter. See:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/sherborne-old-castle/
The shopping in Sherborne is also very good and includes a fair few antique shops.
To book a place please contact Gabrielle McBride to tell her you'd like a place on
gabrielle.mcbride@me.com or 07900 907 295.
You can pay online:
Name: The Arts Society Mendip
Sort code: 30-99-29
Account number: 00848988
Reference: Sherborne
Or at our May or June lectures (cash, cheque or credit card).
For more information or if you have any queries, please contact Gabrielle as above.