The Pheasants B&B, Sherborne: things to see and do

Above: At the centre of the town is Sherborne School, on the site of the old Monastery cloisters. The school was "re-founded" by Edward VI in 1550. Old boys include Jeremy Irons, John Le Carré, and Chris Martin.

Old Shirburnian Chris Martin of 'Coldplay', with his wife Gwyneth Paltrow.

Charles Dickens was a frequent visitor to Sherbone, where he stayed at Sherborne House

Montacute house, once home of Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, is just 15 minutes from The Pheasants. It was the setting for the recent films "Sense & Sensibility" with Kate Winslet, and "The Libertine" with Johnny Depp.

The most expensive houses in Britain are on the exclusive 'Sandbanks' near Poole, under an hour from The Pheasants. With its sheltered lagoon with islands and its superb sandy beaches, it is a haven for yachtsmen, sailboarders and the wealthy.

Things to see and do locally

Sherborne Abbey

Sherborne Abbey, founded in AD 705

The glorious Abbey is a "must" to visit whilst you are in Sherborne. It is open daily, though do check before entering whether a service is in progress. Founded in AD 705, the present building incorporates Norman elements, and stunning fan-vaulting, the earliest large-scale example to be built in England, dating from 1425. Kings of Wessex are buried here, including Alfred the Great's elder brothers King Ethelbald (died AD 860) and King Ethelbert (AD 865). There is a beautiful etched glass window by Whistler, and the great West Window was inaugurated by HM the Queen in 1998.
Sherborne Abbey is one of only 18 churches awarded 5 stars in Simon Jenkins' England's Thousand Best Churches. He writes "I would pit Sherborne's roof against any contemporary work of the Italian Renaissance".

Cheap Street and Historic Sherborne

Cheap Street has many individual and interesting shops the unusual and individual shops include the Dorset Music House

Don't miss wandering around Sherborne, browsing the shops in Cheap Street and enjoying a coffee or a drink. There is a wide choice of eating places, from the highly-acclaimed "The Green" restaurant almost opposite The Pheasants, to ancient pubs, traditional tea rooms, coffee shops and a wine bar. Around the Conduit in Cheap Street every Friday and Saturday morning, there is a street market with local produce, and every month there is a full farmer's market.

Sherborne House arts centre

Sherborne House, just a short walk from The Pheasants, was visited frequently by Charles Dickens The famous mural by Sir James Thornhill

Just a four minute walk from The Pheasants and open free to the public, Sherborne House is a fine Palladian mansion dating from 1720 and was once home of the great Victorian actor Macready whose friend Charles Dickens frequently visited him there. Thackeray was another visitor. The house's chief glory is the famous mural in the hall painted by Sir James Thornhill, the Dorset artist whose commissions included St Paul’s Cathedral and Greenwich. There is a campaign to restore Sherborne House, winner of the regional final of the BBC's "Restoration" programme in July 2004, to its former glory. The House hosts a range of visual art exhibitions, and plans include a significant gallery space and the provision of a sculpture garden and a major display of the works of the renowned scuptor Dame Elisabeth Frink. Opening hours: Gallery Tuesday - Sunday, from 10.30am to 4.30pm; House Monday - Friday, from 9.30am to 3pm.

Sherborne "New" Castle

Sherborne New castle

The castle, built as a hunting lodge by Sir Walter Raleigh, has been home to the Digby family sice 1617. It is 15-20 minutes' walk from The Pheasants. It is open from 1 April to 31 October (2006 dates) daily, except Mondays and Fridays (open on Bank Holiday Mondays), from 11:00am and with last admission at 4:30pm. On Saturdays, the castle opens later at 2:30pm. Admission prices are: gardens only £4.00; castle and gardens: £8.00, senior £7.50, children under 16 free.

Sherborne "Old" Castle

Sherborne Old castle dates from the 12th century

The "old" castle dates from the 12th century, and was built for the Bishop of Salisbury, then one of the most powerful people in England after the King. It is 15 minutes' walk from The Pheasants. The castle was destroyed by Cromwell in the Civil War, and its haunting and beautiful ruins are set in glorious countryside, with fine views of the "New" castle and its lake and Capability Brown parkland. It is administered by English Heritage, and is open from Easter to October daily except Mondays and Fridays.

Sherborne Museum

Sherborne Museum, between Cheap Street and the Abbey

To find the Museum, go down Cheap Street to the Conduit and turn right towards the Abbey (this is Church Lane). The museum houses an interactive, plasma screen "turning pages" virtual reality version of the Sherborne Missal, one of the most important books in England, written and illustrated here in Sherborne in 1400.
The museum is open from 10:30am to 4:30pm from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 2:30pm to 4:30pm on bank holidays and some Sundays.

Dorset's "Jurassic Coast"

The spectacular Durdle Door on Dorset's Jurassic Coast

About 40 minutes' drive from Sherborne is Dorset's stunning coastline, amongst the finest in Britain with imposing fossil-studded cliffs, glorious sandy beaches, fishing harbours and islands. Durdle Door (above) is a spectacular example of one of the majestic rock formations along our coastline.

Other Attractions

The "West Country" is one of the most unspoilt and glorious parts of England, and rich in history. Sherborne is in the heart of "Thomas Hardy" country, and Hardy's own cottage is a fascinating visit. The towns of Exeter, Bath, Taunton, Glastonbury, Wells, Salisbury, Poole and Bournemouth are only up to an hour and a half away by car, and Stonehenge is under an hour's drive. There are many superb historic houses open to visitors nearby, including Montacute House, Stourhead and Wilton. The Royal Naval Air Base at Yeovilton is only 15 minutes away by car, and houses the Fleet Air Arm Museum, which includes Concorde "002".

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