Take the train
Children under 5 go free and dogs can travel on trains. Planning a group visit, take advantage of South Western Railway’s discounted travel options available at
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/train-tickets/cheap-train-tickets/groupsave-and-group-travel
The Blackmore Vale Line – Tisbury to Crewkerne – passes through some lovely countryside. Enjoy a scenic journey following the route of the largely undiscovered Nadder Valley and the rolling hills and beautiful Vales of Blackmore and Wardour, as the Blackmore Vale line passes between the Blackdown Hills and Cranborne Chase Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Blackmore Vale Line links the wonderful village of Tisbury, with the historic Dorset towns of Gillingham, Shaftesbury (via bus link from Gillingham Station), Sherborne and Templecombe, Yeovil Junction (buslink to Yeovil Town) and Crewkerne in Somerset. The 53km scenic route travels across the three counties of Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire connecting the six statons and takes in the picturesque countryside and connecting with the National Cycle Route. There are many walks along the way: The Liberty Trail, The Stour Valley Way, Macmillan Way and the White Hart Link ( a fifty-mile circular walking route linking the five towns of North Dorset)
Along the way you can discover historic castles, learn about the Crusades and Civil War. Celebrate the Ag of Steam and become an engine driver for the day. Savour scrumptious cream teas and delicious locally sourced cuisine. Enjoy visual arts and cultural experiences. .
Visit Sherborne
The English Heritage Sherborne Old Castle is just a 10 minute walk from the station. This ruin of a twelfth century castle in the grounds of a mansion, was built as a fortified palace and was in the ownership of the Church until the sixteenth century. Now a romantic ruin in the grounds of the New Sherborne Castle. After withstanding two sieges during the Civil War, only the Southwest Gatehouse and parts of the castle, including the Great Tower and the North Range, now survive.
Loved by Sir Walter Raleigh, he leased the castle but when he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for marrying one of Queen Elizabeth 1’s maids of honour without her permission, it was then leased out but remained a favourite home of the famous explorer.
Highlights
A haven for wildlife and birds
An ideal place for a picnic where you can take in the beautiful views across the surrounding countryside
Keep an eye out for ‘Lady Betty’s Pinks’ during July and August, named after Sir Walter Raleigh’s wife, Elizabeth, flowering throughout the grounds.
Sherborne New Castle
“A fine sixteenth century castle with lavish furnishings, fine art and antiquities, plus huge gardens, tea rooms, shop and a lake.”
Set in some 40-acres of grounds in total which are open for public viewing, combined in a rolling landscape of sweeping lawns, borders and majestic specimen trees around the lake. Paths and trails lead around the gardens to gain views of the lake and parklands beyond.
Discover the country and city ties of the Elizabethan nobleman Sir Walter Raleigh. Visit his one-time country home in Sherborne and just 2 hours by train you can view the exhibition at the Tower of London. As a famous explorer and favourite of Elizabeth 1, he brought many fine things to England. Visit the pub, where he is reputed to have first smoked tobacco, The Virginia Ash at Henstridge, 7 miles from Sherborne. www.thevirginiaashpub.co.uk.
Highlights
Over 30 acres of lakeside gardens
The gardens are Grade 1 listed and largely unchanged from Capability Brown’s original creation
Majestic specimen trees around the lake
10 minute walk from Sherborne Station
Sherborne Abbey
‘Step off the train into the heart of Sherborne, exit through the station entrance and take a stroll through the lovely Pageant Gardens opposite, walk past the bandstand and exit through the gate into Digby Road, from here you can catch your first glimpse of Sherborne Abbey. Sherborne Abbey is one of only eighteen churches awarded 5 stars in Simon Jenkins’ England’s Thousand Best Churches.
A Saxon cathedral was founded in Sherborne by Aldhelm who was appointed the first Bishop of the see of Western Wessex. Alfred the Great may well have been schooled in the Cathedral here where his brothers Ethelbert and Ethelbald are buried.’
Highlights
Rose Window,
Naughty Misericords – have fun finding these!
Castle Gardens in New RoadSherborne
The west country’s most fabulous garden centre and just a 10 minute walk from the station
“Home to thousands of plants all year round, some of which are grown on site, Castle Gardens is situated in the original walled kitchen garden of Sherborne Castle Estate and has blossomed into a vibrant garden centre at the heart of the local community. “
The team works regularly with schools, charities and community groups to help raise awareness of their vital initiatives, while also promoting interest in gardening along the way.“
Castle Gardens is one of the principal sponsors of the rail partnership, generously hosting the first prestigious regional awards of Stations in Bloom.
More than 100 station volunteers received awards of recognition from industry professionals.
Highlights
Fabulous array of plants, shrubs and trees and so much more
Knowledgeable staff to help you
The Walled Garden Restaurant
The best Christmas display in the UK and winner of prestigious UK award on numerous occasions.
Sherborne Pack Monday Fair – Every year on the first Monday after 10th October
Sherborne’s traditional annual fair features 250+ stalls, both artisan and local fabulous food stalls, traditional market stalls – that everyone loves, community stalls and a traditional fairground.
Pack Monday is an annual street fair held in Sherborne, Dorset, and is traditionally held on the Monday following Old Michaelmas Day. Originally an agricultural fair, it now comprises a range of over 250 stalls, both artisan and local fabulous food stalls and traditional stalls that everyone loves with the traditional fairground to be found a short walk from the market at the Terrace Playing Fields .
Sherborne’s Traditional Street Market – Pack Monday Fair
