Sherborne Castle

Sherborne Castle stands in Dorset, southeast of the town of Sherborne. It is a 16th-century Tudor mansion built by Sir Walter Raleigh as Sherborne Lodge. The castle sits within a 1,200-acre park that once formed part of the much larger Digby estate. Nearby lie the ruins of Sherborne Old Castle, a 12th-century fortified palace built by Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury. The old castle was once considered a key stronghold during the Anarchy in the 12th century. Raleigh chose to build a new house rather than restore the old one, creating a four-storey rectangular building with corner turrets. The castle is worth visiting for its layered history and architectural significance. Raleigh’s original lodge, completed in 1594, featured an innovative entrance disguised within a tower to preserve symmetry. The antiquary John Aubrey praised it as a convenient retreat from court life. Later, the Digby family expanded the lodge in the 1620s, adding four wings to form the mansion seen today. The estate played a role in the Civil War, with the old castle changing hands multiple times. Capability Brown designed the gardens in the 18th century, including a lake that separates the old and new castles. Visitors find a grand mansion with elegant interiors and extensive gardens. The 1753 lake, designed by Capability Brown, frames views of the old castle ruins across the water. The gardens include carefully planned features admired by Alexander Pope. The mansion’s architecture blends original Tudor elements with later additions, including modernisations by Philip Charles Hardwick. The estate has served as a Red Cross hospital and a wartime command centre. Special events such as concerts and fireworks are often held here, while the old castle ruins remain accessible through English Heritage.