Castleton Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3SA
Sherborne Old Castle
Castle
Place photograph
7.5
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free entry
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.5Once a fortified palace of the bishops of Salisbury, Sherborne Old Castle later became a Royalist stronghold. Parliamentarian forces captured it in 1645 after an 11-day siege; its gatehouse, great tower, chapels and other ruins remain.
The appeal here is the contrast between an imposing medieval bishop’s palace and the open, green grounds it has become. Explore the surviving gatehouse, tower and moat, then picture the 1645 siege that ended the castle’s role as a Royalist fortress.
Atmospheric · Historic
Find your way
Open mapCastleton Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3SA
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the remains of the palace and fortress, including the great tower, chapels and strong southwest gatehouse. The grounds offer countryside views and wildlife interest; surfaces are uneven in places and the moat has sloped access.
Things to do
Explore the surviving gatehouse
Look closely at the strong southwest gatehouse, one of the prominent surviving parts of the fortified palace.
Part of a castle visit
Find the remains of the great tower and chapels
See the surviving sections of the castle’s great tower and chapels, features identified by English Heritage.
Part of a castle visit
Walk beside the moat
Explore the grounds and moat from the available paths. Access to the moat is sloped, and the site has uneven surfaces and sheer drops; take care and do not climb the ruins.
Pause for the countryside views
Take in the views across the surrounding countryside from the open castle grounds, which English Heritage also describes as a haven for wildlife and birds.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour; suggested, not an official duration
Quick Escape: Gatehouse, ruins and moat
- 01
Check English Heritage’s current opening information before travelling.
- 02
Walk in via the long gravel approach and bridge.
- 03
Explore the surviving gatehouse and the remains of the great tower and chapels.
- 04
Take in the moat and countryside views from suitable paths; keep clear of drops and do not climb the ruins.
Half day · Half day; suggested, not an official itinerary
Make a Half Day of It: Castle and Sherborne
- 01
Spend time exploring the castle ruins and grounds, allowing for the gravel approach and uneven surfaces.
- 02
Continue into Sherborne town centre, less than a mile away, for cafés, restaurants and public toilets.
- 03
Check opening and access details for any additional Sherborne attractions separately before adding them to your plans.
Verified history
For more than half its history, Sherborne Old Castle served as a fortified palace of the bishops of Salisbury. In Elizabethan times it was leased to Sir Walter Raleigh. During the English Civil War it became a Royalist base. English Heritage says it fell to Parliamentarian forces in 1645 after an 11-day siege. Visitors can still see the ruins of the great tower, chapels and southwest gatehouse.
Hidden details
The site’s changing role — Look at the remains as evidence of more than one chapter: a bishops’ fortified palace, Raleigh’s Elizabethan leasehold and a Royalist stronghold during the Civil War.
The moat’s sloped access — The approach to the moat is sloped, unlike the level main site; factor this in when planning how to explore the grounds.
When to go
· Opening is listed as 10am–5pm daily; no preferred time of day is verified.
No seasonal visitor or wildlife timing is established by the supplied evidence.
The site is very exposed, with no shelter in extreme weather. Check conditions and wear footwear suitable for gravel, grass and uneven surfaces.
Worth pairing with
Sherborne town centre
Less than a mile away; English Heritage identifies cafés, restaurants and public toilets there. Check individual venues before visiting.
What to look for
- 01
The surviving gatehouse, remains of the great tower and chapels, and the moat around the ruins. English Heritage identifies the site as exposed and warns of uneven surfaces and sheer drops
- 02
do not climb the ruins.
The story
Medieval bishops’ palace; Sir Walter Raleigh; English Civil War and the 1645 siege
Best time to go
No season-specific advice is verified; check opening details before visiting.
English Heritage lists daily opening from 10am to 5pm. Check the official page before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-5pm
- Tuesday: 10am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10am-5pm
- Thursday: 10am-5pm
- Friday: 10am-5pm
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
English Heritage lists free entry and daily opening, 10am–5pm. Check the official page before travelling for current details.
Check before visiting
Parking
On-site parking is available; English Heritage requests a £3 donation, payable by text. Check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Public toilets are available in Sherborne town centre, less than a mile away, according to English Heritage. No on-site toilets are confirmed.
Food & drink
English Heritage says Sherborne town centre, less than a mile away, has cafés and restaurants. No on-site café is confirmed.
Dogs
Dogs on leads are welcome, according to English Heritage.
Accessibility
English Heritage describes a long gravel approach, a bridge, mainly grass with some gravelled areas, level ground across the main site and sloped access to the moat. Trip hazards, uneven surfaces and sheer drops are identified. A wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance are reported in the source row; check suitability directly before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free entry; £3 suggested parking donation
Water
Moat
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Sherborne Old Castle
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
