Itinerary #4 - & Around

1 3

2 5 Crown copyright 4

6

10 9

8

7

Sherborne lies in a a part of Later, the Normans built Sherborne West which extends north- Sherborne Old on a prime wards to the River Yeo in the site. This was ruinous when Sir & Around west to Poyntington Hill about first saw it on his 5mi (8km) to the east. Although way from London to . 1. Sherborne 156 there are no significant archaeo- His heart became set on building 2. Sherborne Abbey 158 logical sites to visit in the vicinity, a country lodge here for his wife, St John’s Almshouse 159 there is evidence of much activity Elizabeth and himself. Sherborne Museum 157 in the area during the Iron Age The Close 157 and Roman times. The dairy at Sherborne Museum has an ex- The Conduit 157 Sherborne Castle, somewhat bi- cellent small collection of local 157 zarrely, has a resited Roman mo- artefacts dating from the Palaeo- 3. Sherborne Old Castle 156 saic floor. lithic Age to recent times. One of 4. Sherborne Castle 156 the highlights of the museum is an 5. Waterwheel Centre 157 Its beautiful situation has inspired electronic version of the 15th cen- 6. Blackmore Vale 240 many famous people, including tury Sherborne Missal. This was 7. Cerne Abbas 154 the Saxon kings who made it the produced by the Benedictine Mon- 8. Cerne Giant 154 capital of the Kingdom of Wessex. astery in the international gothic 9. Minterne Gardens 155 They established Sherborne Ab- style and is an exquisite example of 10. Roman Road 162 bey, as well as the original school. this style of book illustration.

Dorset Guide Book 1st edition by Charles Tait 336 What to Do and See - Dorset

ORDNANCE SURVEY 1:50,000 & 1:25,000 maps OS Landranger Map183, Dorchester & Weymouth; Map 194, Yeovil & Frome OS Explorer Map 129, Yeovil & Sherborne; Map 117, Cerne Abbas & Bere Regis

Sherborne & Around

1. Sherborne (page 156, popn. 2011, 9,523) occu- in the , James I sold the estate to pies a fine south-facing slope on a tributary of the the Digby family, who still own it. Further wings River Yeo and has been claimed to be “the most at- were added over the years to create a romantic state- tractive town in the county.” It has a long history go- ly home, filled with works of art, fine furniture and ing back to Saxon times and is largely built of local porcelain collections. The extensive gardens, park ochre-coloured Ham Stone. The town centre has a and lake were laid out by “Capability” Brown in the wide range of independent shops, art and antique 1750s. Open from April to October; the Castle dealers, as well a a good selection of restaurants and hosts several special events during the year. pubs. There is a large network of quiet lanes, tracks 5. Sherborne Steam and Waterwheel Centre and footpaths to explore roundabout. (page 157) at Castleton was set up to preserve a 2. Sherborne Abbey, or St Mary’s Church, (page large waterwheel which supplied water to the town 158) was founded in AD705 and is one of the most from 1869 to 1959. Steam engines and other water outstanding churchs in Dorset. The building only supply artefacts make this unusual museum an in- survived due to the determination of the people of teresting visit. Open on Sundays and occasional the town after the Dissolution of the Monasteries other days May to October. in 1539. Today it is an essential visit, especially to 6. Blackmore Vale (page 240) is a wide valley see the exquisite 15th century fan-vaulted roof of the stretching across northern Dorset between the nave. The building includes Saxon, Norman and Dorset Downs in the south and the River Stour Medieval features, all of which combine to make a watershed to the north. This green landscape still very fine church. has many small farms, pretty little villages and St John’s Almshouse (page 159) is across the green winding lanes. The varied geology of limestone and from the church and dates from the 15th century. clay add variety to this low-lying fertile area. The chapel is original with a fine stained glass win- 7. Cerne Abbas (page 154) is situated on the A352 dow and a triptych which may have come from about midway between Sherborne and Dorchester. Cologne. The Close gives fine views of the abbey, The village has fascinating old buildings, including while the Conduit on Cheap Street is now a market a 14th century doorway, a 13th century church and house, having been the lavatorium of the monastery. remains of the abbey. The “Royal Oak” claims to be 3. Sherborne Old Castle (page 156) occupies a fine the oldest pub in . site to the east of the town overlooking Sherborne 8. The Cerne Giant (page 154) is on the southwest Lake. It was built by the Norman, Roger de Caen corner of Giant Hill, just north of the village. Al- in the early 12th century as a fortified bishop’s palace. though it can be seen from the official parking place, Most of the ruins date from this time apart from there is a much better view from Weam Common work carried out by Walter Raleigh in the 1590s Hill, reached by a path just opposite. after being given the Sherborne Estate by Elizabeth 9. Minterne Gardens (page 155) is 2mi (3km) I. The Castle was twice besieged by the Parliamen- north of Cerne Abbas. The gardens are in a small tarians during the Civil War. The second was led valley below the house, with ponds, waterfalls and by Cromwell himself, who called it “A malicious mis- streams. They are open from mid-February until chievous Castle”, before having it slighted. The site is early November. There is a successive profusion of maintained by English Heritage. colour from early spring onwards. 4. Sherborne (New) Castle (page 156) is off New 10. Roman Road (page 162) The A37 from Dor- Road, southeast of the town. It was originally built chester to Ilchester follows the line of a Roman road by Sir Walter Raleigh in the 1590s as Sherborne for most of the way. At Dorchester the Roman road Lodge. The central block and polygonal corner runs close to the Roman aqueduct before crossing towers date from his time. With Raleigh locked up the river, west of Stratton.

337 Dorset Guide Book 1st edition by Charles Tait