Where to Visit, Where to Shop and Where to Eat
This charming market town, brimming with history and heritage, was recently crowned by The Sunday Times, as one of the “best places to live in 2024”. Nestled in northwest Dorset, Sherborne boasts exquisite honey-coloured buildings and a grand central Abbey.
The town’s original Saxon name, scir burne, meaning “clear stream”, was inspired by a brook that meanders through the town centre.
This town boasts two castles; one romantic ruin and a delightful new castle with grounds designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. There’s plenty to see and do, including site-seeing and attractions, a year-round calendar of events, great cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops and local markets too.
Having recently opened our second Cleverly Wrapped shop, at 22 Cheap Street, we already feel fully immersed into the community and are enjoying the vibrant, energised ambiance and thought you might like to see a round-up of some of the places we love in this picture perfect town….
Cafés and Restaurants
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to buying local produce during your stay in Sherborne, with butchers, bakers, delicatessens, sweet shops and market stalls to choose from.
Or take a well earned break from site seeing and shopping, with some refreshments or a spot of lunch at one of the town’s fantastic eateries.
Café D’Urberville 90 Cheap Street, Sherborne DT9 3BJ
“We serve award winning coffee, speciality teas, homemade cakes and healthy food, in our French style vibrant cafe/coffee shop. Veggie, vegan options available. Dogs welcome, Fully licensed.”
This is where I did all my interviewing for our lovely staff in the shop and it continues to be a favourite for a light lunch or a quick cuppa!
The Sherborne Newland, Sherborne DT9 3JG
The Sherborne is home to the nationally significant Thornhill Mural and a landmark new destination for the arts. Beyond the canvas and sculptures, it offers versatile spaces for events, private hire, and flexible working, a restaurant and bar championing a locally sourced British menu and a carefully curated shop showcasing artisanal creators and makers.
Macreadys Restaurant at The Sherborne is a must for a cocktail at the stylish bar or a delicious and spoiling lunch.
Oliver’s Coffee House 19 Cheap Street, Sherborne DT9 3PU
“The perfect place to stop for a cup of coffee and a homemade cake whilst perusing today’s newspapers”
This is just across the road from Cleverly Wrapped so a perfect meeting place!
The Queen’s Arms Corton Denham DT9 4LR
A family-owned pub with rooms, situated in the rolling green hills of the Dorset and Somerset border, just 3 miles from Sherborne. Their focus is on exceptional food, great drinks and an indulgent night’s sleep.
The Plume of Feathers Half Moon Street, Sherborne DT9 3LN
The Plume is a traditional Grade II listed 16th century pub in the heart of Sherborne directly opposite the Abbey with B&B rooms & a picturesque hamstone walled courtyard. The tapas style Italian small plates are literally mouth watering. Highly recommend!
The King’s Arms Country Hotel North Road, Charlton Horethorne DT9 4NL
This boutique style inn offers guests the choice of ten luxurious boutique bedrooms, a mouth-watering dining menu and a warm and welcoming atmosphere and is perfect for exploring what this lovely village offers.
The Green 3 The Green, Sherborne DT9 3HY
“A family-run neighbourhood restaurant that uses locally sourced ingredients to create innovative dishes. Their menu evolves each day, dependent on the seasonal produce available from their Westcountry suppliers, and foraged ingredients from their dedicated chefs and the local community.
Newell Restaurant Greenhill, Sherborne DT9 4EP
At Newell French Bistro, you’ll be greeted and served by Tracey, whilst Paul resides in the kitchen. For value for money this is unbeatable. Three courses for £29.95 and I can confirm its delicious!
Shopping
Sherborne is a shopper’s paradise! The main shopping area is centred around Cheap Street, a picturesque high street packed with boutiques, art galleries, delis and lifestyle stores. Here’s a handpicked edit of some of our personal favourites, but there are many more places well worth a visit.
The Circus 33 Cheap Street, Sherborne DT9 3PU
Circus combines established and more esoteric brands to provide their customers with a unique selection of fashion, gifts and home decor items. Their objective is to infuse their distinct personality and style into everything they do, creating an unforgettable shopping experience that cannot be matched elsewhere.
Artichoke 14 Cheap St, Sherborne DT9 3PX
Located a few doors up from Cleverly Wrapped this store sells vintage furniture, decorative antiques and accessories. They are also an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint stockist. It’s hard to walk past without being tempted!
Ogilvy & More Church House, Half Moon St, Sherborne DT9 3LN
Another new business on the High Street. Curators of taste, Ogilvy & More work tirelessly to source fabulous products to include in their hampers and gifts. To compliment these products, they have their very own range of ‘Curators Choice’ items which are produced especially for them. They range from gin to jams, jellies, chutneys, relishes and salsas to a niche O&M range of cheeses and even beautifully branded platters, boards aprons and other accessories. Fantastic place for inspired gift ideas!
The Drinksmith The Grain Loft, South St, Sherborne DT9 3LU
“Our approach is simple – find wines we love that have never been in the UK before. The packaging needs to be stellar, the pricing needs to be spot on and the producers themselves need to be lovely, ideally with a sense of humour.
We import all the wines that we sell ourselves, and whilst we love all the usual suspects (Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec…blah blah) our particular penchant is for leftfield regions and styles, giving you the opportunity for genuinely original tasting experiences; the kinds of bottles that really cause a stir at dinner parties.
Enjoy a wine less ordinary at The Drinksmith!”
Cleverly Wrapped 22 Cheap Street, Sherborne DT9 3PX
Last but by no means least, we have my shop – Cleverly Wrapped – which was opened 2024.
Having initially starting out as an online scarf boutique, with some kaftans and cashmere too, my business has gradually evolved into a fashion boutique, curating designer collections from lesser known brands. I hand pick the best of clothing, scarves and accessories from interesting and unusual designers around the world and try to source a mixture of textures, fabrics, colours and price points. Some of my favourite designers have been with me since I started, but I also ensure that every season I update with new, up and coming small brands.
As a small and personal business we pride ourselves on our customer service. Whether you’re buying a gift for a loved one, or choosing items for yourself, everything we dispatch comes in luxurious tissue paper, folded into beautiful charcoal grey boxes and hand-tied with Cleverly Wrapped orange grosgrain ribbon, at no extra cost.
If you are in Sherborne do pop in and say hello and if you have any questions on the area any of the team will be happy to help.
Galleries and Visitor Attractions
Sherborne Abbey The Abbey Close, Sherborne DT9 3LQ
“When people look at The Abbey, they see different things. Some see the finest building in Dorset, with its glorious fan vaulting – of which Simon Jenkins says in his book England’s Thousand Best Churches, ‘I would pit Sherborne’s roof against any contemporary work of the Italian Renaissance.’ Others see a place renowned for its choir, its music and its bells. Some see thirteen centuries of history, ever since St Aldhelm, new bishop of the West Saxons, chose to build his cathedral here. Two Saxon kings are buried here; for over 800 years the chanting of Benedictine monks filled the air. Thomas Wyatt, Tudor courtier and poet, has his grave here; Sir Walter Raleigh worshipped here. The Abbey is the spiritual home of a large and vibrant Christian community and above all, a place of prayer and worship.
The Jerram Gallery Half Moon Street, Sherborne DT9 3LN UK
The Jerram Gallery has established an enviable reputation for exhibiting a fine and interesting selection of British Contemporary art. They represent both emerging artists and artists of international repute.
Sherborne Castle New Road, Sherborne DT9 5NR
Sherborne Castle has been a family home since 1617. Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, this historic house reflects a glorious variety of decorative styles from over 400 years of English History. Experience nationally important collections of furniture, paintings and porcelain and walk in Capability Brown’s English Landscape Garden.
Cerne Abbas Giant Cerne Abbas, Dorset DT2 7AL
The Cerne Abbas Giant is a hill figure near the village of Cerne Abbas. It is currently owned by the National Trust and listed as a scheduled monument of England. Measuring 55 metres (180 ft) in length, the hill figure depicts a naked male, holding his left hand out to the side and wielding a large club in his right hand. Like many other hill figures, the Cerne Giant is formed by shallow trenches cut into the turf and backfilled with chalk rubble.
Regardless of its age, the Cerne Abbas Giant has become an important part of local culture and folklore, which often associates it with fertility.It is one of England’s best-known hill figures and is a visitor attraction in the region.
Montacute Somerset TA15 6XP
A masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and design, with towering walls of glass, glowing ham stone and surrounding garden. While the upper floors of the house will remain closed for 2024 there is plenty to see on the ground floor and in the garden and parkland.
Mapperton House Mapperton Estate Beaminster Dorset DT8 3NR
Join a tour of the Nation’s Finest Manor House. Stroll around the award winning gardens. Enjoy light meals and teas in the Coach House Cafe. Explore the wild play areas. Reconnect with nature on the countryside walks and self-guided safaris. Experience the wonder of re-wilding at Mapperton Wildlands.
The Newt Bruton, Somerset BA7 7NG
From garden tours to cyder tasting, deer park walks, interactive museums, revitalising spa and seasonal feasting.
“A Country Estate, Reimagined: Our working estate in Somerset has acres of splendid gardens, woodland, farmland and cyder orchards to explore. Stay a night or two, or become a member and see the landscape change throughout the year. Enjoy elegant and seasonal dining, inspired by and gathered from your surroundings. We invite you to feast on estate vegetables, the choicest cuts from the salt room and dayboat fish from the Dorset coast. Savour the tasting menu, paired with Fine Cyder or something special from the house cellar.”
Local Events
A fun and varied programme of events, rural activities, stands and entertainment, including one of the largest standalone rare breed shows in the country. For one day each year one of the finest settings, with its picturesque grounds and lake surrounding Sherborne Castle, is transformed into a popular and much-loved event offering good value for money to visitors and supporters alike.
The Fair was started by a small group of volunteers, in 1996, with the aim of raising money for local charities, especially those working with children and young people.
Sherborne Market Cheap Street, Abbey Road, Half Moon Street, Digby Road and Pageant Gardens
A monthly curated market bringing the very best of local artisans, crafts and food producers. With over 200 stalls, free music and entertainment, there’s something for everyone. The market runs from 10am to 3pm.
Dorset Art Weeks is a popular bi-annual event celebrating the best of fine art, craft and making across the county, attracting both locals and visitors from all over the UK. Visitors can take the opportunity to see how artists are inspired, start a piece of work and experience a creative working environment. Engaging with the artists, the tools of their craft and works in progress is fascinating.
Artwork: @flip_flops_or_wellies
Sherborne Abbey Festival is a non-profit making organisation with charitable status and is run by an experienced and dedicated team of volunteers. Its aims are to host world-class performances and showcase local musical talent. To date the festival has raised thousands for charitable causes, scholarships and support of the music at Sherborne Abbey.
“We believe everyone should be able to enjoy inspiring musical performances. With a programme of music to suit all tastes and age groups, many Festival performances are free entry whilst others are affordably priced.”
To find out more about what’s going on in the area, take a look at the Sherborne Times. Available to view online, this is a high-quality publication with interesting articles featuring people, places and purveyors.