Home - Sherborne Castle and Gardens Home Contact Welcome to Sherborne Castle, Dorset which has been our family home since 1617. 2017 celebrates 400 years of the Digby Family owning the Castle. Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, this historic house reflects a glorious variety of decorative styles from over 400 years of English History. Capability Brown created here a nationally important English Landscape Garden, an exhibition drawn from the archives tells of his impact and legacy on the garden. You will find here a typical country home where each succeeding generation has left its imprint. Come and visit the Castle’s rich interiors with its nationally important collections of art, furniture and porcelain, together with Raleigh’s original kitchen, family artefacts and archaeological ‘finds’ from the old medieval castle on view in the castle cellars. Please explore our 42 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds and soak up the beauty, peace and tranquility of this natural setting. Capability Brown in 1753 created the 50 acre lake and gave us the very latest in landscape gardening, with magnificent specimen trees, herbaceous borders and sweeping lawns.

We host wedding and civil ceremonies, receptions, a country fair, a firework extravaganza, classic car rallies, film crews and a variety of other corporate and private events. The gardens are appreciated by many visitors and groups who return throughout the year to enjoy their beauty through the seasons. Our Tea Room serves delicious light lunches and afternoon teas and the Gift Shop has a selection of gifts, souvenirs and our very own Sherborne Castle Wines. We hope you will come and visit us and we look forward to welcoming you. The Wingfield Digby Family Sherborne Castle - 1000454| Historic England Sherborne Castle List Entry Summary This garden or other land is registered under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 within the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens by English Heritage for its special historic interest. Name: Sherborne Castle Sherborne Castle, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PY The garden or other land may lie within the boundary of more than one authority. County: Dorset National Park: Not applicable to this List entry. Grade: I Date of most recent amendment: 17-Jan-2014 Legacy System Information The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System: Parks and Gardens UID: 1422 Asset Groupings This list entry does not comprise part of an Asset Grouping. Asset Groupings are not part of the official record but are added later for information. List entry Description Summary of Garden A mediaeval deer park and late C17 and early C18 formal gardens, remodelled in the mid C18 by Lancelot Brown.

Reasons for Designation Sherborne Castle, a mediaeval deer park and late C17 and early C18 formal gardens, remodelled in the mid-C18, is included on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest at Grade I for the following principal reasons: * Date and rarity: the site, though reflecting several phases of historic development of considerable significance, is an exceptionally interesting example of a mid-C18 landscape designed by Lancelot Brown, one of England's most important landscape designers which he created in the early part of his career; * Intactness: the landscape by Brown survives essentially intact incorporating important evidence of earlier landscape phases; * Documentation: the history of this complex, multi-phased landscape is particularly well documented; * Group value: it has exceptionally strong group value with the Grade I listed Sherborne House and the scheduled ruins of Sherborne Old Castle, the latter, incorporated as a feature in the landscape design for Sherborne from the early C18 onwards, being an exceptionally important and interesting example of how ruins were used in landscape design during this period; * Archaeological interest: archaeological traces of the medieval deer park and early-C18 garden are visible and significant above ground structures survive adding considerably to the exceptionally high level of

 interest of this designed landscape.

History In the early C12, Roger, Bishop of Salisbury (1107-39) built a castle at Sherborne to serve as the administrative centre for the western part of his diocese (HLM). A deer park associated with the castle contained, in addition to deer, fish ponds and pasture (HLM; Proceedings, 1965). During the reign of King Stephen, Sherborne Castle was acquired by the Crown, but in 1355 it reverted to the Bishops of Salisbury. In 1542, Henry VIII reorganised the English dioceses, placing Dorset in the newly created diocese of Bristol, and thus reducing Sherborne's strategic significance to the Bishops of Salisbury. A lease of the Castle, later converted to the freehold, was granted to Queen Elizabeth in 1592, and was subsequently made over to her favourite, Sir Walter Raleigh (1522-1618). Raleigh constructed a new house, known originally as Sherborne Lodge, on the site of the Bishop of Salisbury's early-C16 hunting lodge in the park south of the mediaeval castle.

This house was completed by 1594, and formal gardens were laid out, perhaps to the design of Raleigh's half-brother, Adrian Gilbert, between it and the mediaeval castle. Following Raleigh's arrest on charges of treason in 1603, Sherborne reverted to the Crown. James I granted the Castle first to his favourite Robert Carr, and subsequently to his elder son, Prince Henry, who died in 1612. In 1617 the Crown sold the Sherborne estate to Sir John Digby, the ambassador to Spain, who in 1618 was created Baron Sherborne, and in 1622 Earl of Bristol. During the Civil War the mediaeval Castle was besieged by Parliamentary troops in 1642 and 1645. After the second siege, Thomas Fairfax slighted the Castle. The Earl went into exile in France, where he died in 1652. The third Earl of Bristol died without heirs in 1698, and the Sherborne estate passed to William, 5th Lord Digby of Coleshill, Warwickshire.

The 5th Lord Digby's son, Robert (1692-1726) created or remodelled the formal gardens to the north of the Lodge, known since the slighting of the old Castle as Sherborne Castle, and an enclosed formal garden, the Parlour Garden, to the east of the Castle. Alexander Pope (1688-1744), a friend of Robert Digby, visited Sherborne in 1724, leaving a description of the formal gardens in his correspondence (Garden History, 1976). The early-C18 disposition of the gardens around the Castle and the ruins is shown on a plan made by John Ladd in1733 (private collection). William, 5th Lord Digby died in 1752 and was succeeded by his grandson, Edward, who in 1753 called in Lancelot Brown (1716-83) to create a lake in the valley between the Castle and the ruins.

It is possible that Lord Digby had been introduced to Brown in Warwickshire, where the latter had already worked for the Digbys' neighbour, Lord Guernsey at Packington Hall (1750) (qv), and Lord Brooke at Warwick Castle (1749) (qv). Brown also worked for the Earl of Denbigh (father-in-law to Lord Digby's brother and heir, Henry), at Newnham Paddox, Warwickshire (1741) (qv). Estate accounts detail the work undertaken under Brown's supervision, including the removal of the formal gardens, the creation of the lake and its gradual extension upstream east of the Castle, and the opening of the vista between the new Castle and the ruins north of the lake. The ruins themselves were enhanced as a picturesque object by Daniel Penny, who in 1755-6 added crenellation to walls and constructed a ruined tower. The improvement of the landscape continued after the death of Edward, Lord Digby in 1757, and after the succession of his brother Henry, who was created Earl Digby in 1790.

New stables were built west of the Castle in 1759, and in 1776 Brown was recalled to Sherborne to improve the area immediately around the house, creating the east lawn and constructing the ha-ha separating the pleasure grounds from the park. Pinford Farm was reconstructed as a model farm in the late C18, and a new approach, crossing the lake on a bridge designed by Capt Robert Digby, was laid out in 1767-71. In 1780 a greenhouse and an 'alcove in the grove', probably Pope's Seat, were constructed, perhaps to the design of Henry Holland (1746-1806) (HLM). Towards the end of Earl Digby's life, a new entrance to the ruins was formed, together with a clairvoir allowing a vista from the ruins across the park. The park itself was significantly extended through land purchases in 1781 and 1792. The first Earl Digby died in 1793 and was succeeded as second Earl by his son, who made few changed to the Sherborne estate and died unmarried in 1856.

The estate devolved on the second Earl's nephew, George Wingfield, who adopted the name Digby, while the Barony passed to Edward Digby of Minterne, Dorset (qv). George Wingfield Digby commissioned P C Hardwick (1822-92) to restore the Castle, and construct new lodges in the park, while William Broderick Thomas (1811-98) advised on the rearrangement of the southern approach to the Castle (HLM). The park remained substantially unchanged throughout the late C19 and early C20. The ruins of the old Castle were placed in the guardianship of the Ministry of Works in 1950, and are now (2013) in the guardianship of English Heritage. Sherborne Castle was inherited in 1952 by Simon Wingfield Digby, who undertook an extensive programme of repairs and restoration. In 1998 his son inherited the estate. Details LOCATION, AREA, BOUNDARIES, LANDFORM, SETTING Sherborne Castle is situated immediately east of the town of Sherborne and south of the A30 road leading east from Sherborne to Shaftesbury.

The c 440ha site comprises some 12ha of pleasure grounds around the Castle and the ruins of the old castle, a c20ha lake and c 408ha of parkland and ornamental plantations. To the south the site adjoins agricultural land, while to the east and south-east it is bounded by a minor road leading from Haydon to Goathill, from which it is separated by a stone wall. To the north-east the site adjoins further agricultural land and the A30 road at Crackmore, while the northern boundary is formed by a stone wall separating the site from a minor road or track, Pinford Lane. Domestic properties in Castleton adjoin the site to the north-west, while a track, the remains of the old road to Dorchester diverted by Sir Walter Raleigh c 1595, is separated from the site by high stone walls. The western boundary is formed by New Road, a further diversion of the Dorchester road made in 1859 by George Wingfield-Digby, and to the south-west the site adjoins agricultural land and municipal playing fields on Dancing Hill.

The site is undulating, with the River Yeo flowing from east to west through the site and forming the lake north of the Castle. The ground rises steeply to the north of the lake with the ruins of the medieval castle standing on a conical eminence. South of the Castle a ridge of high ground extends parallel to the southern boundary of the site, rising to Haydon Hill and Jerusalem Hill south-east of the Castle, and Gainsborough Hill to the south-west. To the north-east of the lake the ground rises towards the Crackmore entrance, with the drive affording extensive views across the lake and park. There are significant designed views from the various drives to the park and its surrounding landscape, and from viewpoints on Jerusalem Hill. The lake, Castle and ruins form the focal points of vistas within the site, while beyond the boundaries of the site, Sherborne Abbey to the west-north-west serves as an eye-catcher. ENTRANCES AND APPROACHES In the early C2l, the principal approach to Sherborne Castle is from New Road to the west at a point c 300m east-north-east of the junction of New Road and South Street.

The entrance is marked by a gateway comprising wrought-iron carriage gates supported by a pair of ashlar piers surmounted by Portland stone griffins, each holding the Digby coat of arms. The carriage gate is flanked by a pair of pedestrian gates supported by further, similar piers, which are in tum adjoined by a rubble stone wall to the south and by a low stone quadrant wall supporting railings to the north (all listed Grade II). Immediately north-east of the entrance stands a two-storey stone lodge in Tudor-Gothic style (listed Grade II). The entrance gates, railings and lodge were constructed for George Wingfield-Digby by P C Hardwick in 1859. As part of this scheme, New Road was laid out, diverting the old road to Dorchester, c 190m west of its original course. Within the entrance a tarmac drive leads c 190m east-north-east to reach a junction immediately south of the mid C 18 stables (listed Grade II*) which stand c 300m west-south-west of the Castle.

The stables and coach houses were built on this site by Henry Digby in 1759, replacing earlier stables which stood to the east of the Castle, and which were removed in order to open easterly views across the park (HLM). From the junction in the drive, which is marked by a Turkish field gun captured at Abu Shusheh in 1917 (inscription), one branch leads east and north-east around the southern end of the lake to reach the forecourt below the south facade of the Castle. Another branch leads sweeps south-east and east through the park to reach a further junction c 100m south-south-east of the Castle with the east drives. From this junction a drive leads north-north-west through an open lawn to reach the forecourt. The southern entrance to the forecourt is marked by simple cast-iron gates supported by low stone piers surmounted by carved griffins. The forecourt is enclosed from the park by low stone walls surmounted by simple horizontal metal railings.

The forecourt and drives to the south and west of the Castle assumed their present form c1859 when a drive extending parallel to the southern boundary of the forecourt was diverted further south, perhaps with the advice of Broderick Thomas (HLM). Further drives approach the site from the north-east, east and south-east. The north-east or Crackmore Drive enters the site from the A30 road at a point c 1km south-west of Milborne Port. The entrance is marked by a pair of late-C18 or early-C19 single storey stone lodges (listed Grade II) which flank a pair of stone piers supporting wrought-iron carriage gates (listed Grade II). Beyond the entrance the tarmac drive leads c 450m south-west through Crackmore Wood, a mixed plantation under-planted with box, before turning south-south-west for c 800m. The drive continues through a narrow belt of plantation with agricultural land to the east and south-east, across which views extend to Jerusalem Hill and Haydon Hill in the deer park. The drive passes between a pair of stone piers surmounted by fleur-de-lys finials (1767, listed Grade II).

From here it continues c 370m south, passing to the west of Pinford Farm, which was remodelled in the late C18 as a model farm (granary listed Grade II), to cross the eastern end of the lake on Pinford Bridge (listed Grade II*). The bridge, constructed in 1767 -70 to the design of Capt Robert Digby (CL, 1995), comprises three segmental arches beneath a balustraded parapet. Beyond the bridge, the drive sweeps westwards through the park, extending parallel to the lake and pleasure grounds east of the castle, to reach the forecourt below the south facade. The section of the north-east drive between the Crackmore Gate and the Castle was constructed by Henry Digby in 1767-70 to create a new, principal approach to the Castle. The drive offers a series of carefully contrived views of the Castle, lake and deer park. The drive to the north of the Crackmore Gate was constructed in c1792 following the purchase of the Crackmore estate.

The eastern drive is an extension of the north-east drive, leaving that approach at a point c 190m south of Pin ford Bridge. The east drive continues for c 350m eastwards through the park, before entering Goathill Wood and continuing to Goathill Lodge, a mid-C19 thatched cottage ornee (listed Grade II). The east drive appears to have formed part of the mid C19 improvements undertaken by George Wingfield Digby, although the Goathill estate had been purchased in 1781. Some 800m south-west of Pin ford Bridge a further drive diverts south-eastwards from the eastern approach. Ascending the north-eastern slope of Jerusalem Hill, the drive extends c1km south-eastwards, passing to the south-west of the late C18 Keeper's Cottage (listed Grade II) to reach the mid C19 Haydon Lodge which stands adjacent to mid-C19 wrought-iron gates and flanking railings. Some 400m north-west of Haydon Lodge, a spur leads west-north-west from the south-east drive, passing along the crest and southern flank of Jerusalem Hill.

Passing the mid-C19 Middle Lodge, a single storey, thatched cottage ornee the drive continues westwards for c1km before sweeping north-west to join the western approach c 300m south-west of the Castle. This drive appears to have been constructed in 1778 (HLM). PRINCIPAL BUILDING Sherborne Castle (listed Grade I), stands on an artificially-levelled terrace overlooking the lake towards the western boundary of the site. The two and three-storey building is constructed in rendered rubble stone with ashlar dressings under lead roofs set behind balustrades. The Castle comprises a three-storey rectangular central block with corner turrets, from which extend two-storey wings which terminate in three-storey octagonal-plan towers. The building is lit by stone mullion and transom windows, while the corners are articulated by ashlar quoins and the storeys by ashlar string courses. Tall ashlar chimney stacks rise above the roofs. To the south a balustrade screen- wall encloses the stone-flagged forecourt between the south-east and southwest wings. The court is entered through an arched gateway flanked by piers under ogee caps.

A similar screen wall and gateway encloses a similar flagged court to the north of the castle. The central block and its comer turrets corresponds to the lodge built by Sir Walter Raleigh in the late C16 on the site of the medieval episcopal hunting lodge, while the four wings and octagonal towers are additions made by Sir John Digby in 1625. The Castle was altered in the C17 and C18, while in the mid C19 an extensive programme of restoration was undertaken under the supervision of P C Hardwick. The ruins of the medieval Sherborne Castle (scheduled and listed Grade I) stand c 400m north of the present Castle, to the north of the lake. The standing elements of the Castle include sections of the curtain walls, the south-west gate tower together with the keep and associated buildings. Other elements of the Castle survive as archaeological remains exposed through excavation. The Castle was originally constructed in the early C12 by Roger, Bishop of Salisbury. It was restored in the late C16 by Sir Walter Raleigh, but was rendered uninhabitable in 1645 during the Civil War.

GARDENS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS Informal gardens and pleasure grounds are situated to the east, north and west of the Castle, and extend along the southern, western and north-western banks of the lake. A level lawn extends c 250m eastwards from the Castle. To the south, the lawn is retained by a stone-walled ha-ha which allows views across the park towards the southern boundary plantations and south-east towards Jerusalem Hill. A gravel walk leads eastwards from the forecourt, parallel to the ha-ha, to reach a C20 stone bridge which crosses the ha-ha to allow access to walks within the shrubbery to the east of the lawn. Here, a late C20 stone and thatch rustic summerhouse enjoys southerly views across the park. A further gravel walk extends along the northern-eastern side of the lawn, allowing views across the lake north-east towards Pinford Bridge, and north-west towards the ruins of the episcopal castle. The eastern end of the lawn is partly enclosed by mixed shrubbery.

The east lawn assumed its present form between 1765 when an early C17 walled garden below the east facade of the Castle and the stables were removed, and 1776 when Brown constructed the ha-ha and levelled the lawn (HLM). The walled garden, known as the Parlour Garden, was constructed in the C17 or early C18, and is shown on an estate survey of 1733 and in a painting of 1743, at which time it was laid out with four grass plots, perhaps replacing earlier parterres (HLM). The south-eastern and north-eastern corners of the Parlour garden were marked by octagonal pavilions echoing Digby's Castle towers; these were also removed in 1765. To the north of the Castle lawns descend to the lake allowing reciprocal views to the castle ruins and the pleasure grounds north of the lake. This vista is framed to the east and west by specimen trees and evergreen shrubbery which enclose the lawn. Traces of a series of early-C18 terraces survive in this sloping lawn to the north-east of the Castle.

Constructed by William, 5th Lord Digby as part of extensive formal gardens in the valley north of the Castle, the terraces were noted by Alexander Pope in 1724, at which time they were planted with clipped yews and honeysuckles. Pope's account refers to an axial avenue to the north of the Castle with a 'little triangular wilderness' of cherries and honeysuckles to the east. The level ground in the floor of the valley, now covered by the mid C18 lake, was laid out with a bowling green flanked by rectangular groves of horse chestnuts. The stream was canalised and the south-facing slope below the mediaeval castle ruins was described as an amphitheatre with further terraced walks (HLM). The formal gardens, which appear to have appropriated the mediaeval ruins, are shown on the estate survey of 1733, and may have incorporated elements of late-C16 gardens developed by Sir Walter Raleigh. The terraces to the north-east of the Castle were levelled in 1765 when the Parlour Garden was removed (HLM).

A gravel terrace extends below the east and north facades of the Castle, connecting with a walk which descends north-north-west to provide access to the Orangery Garden north-west of the Castle. Here, a roughly elliptical shaped lawn with a central mature specimen tree is enclosed by a gravel walk. To the east sloping grass banks and ornamental shrubbery enclose the garden from the north lawn, while to the west a clipped hedge allows views across the lake. To the north, the garden is overlooked by the Orangery, originally known as the Greenhouse (listed Grade II*), designed in 1779, perhaps by Henry Holland (HLM). North of the Orangery, a level terrace was created in the late C20 for public events adjacent to the restored late-C19 timber boathouse. To the south, the Orangery Garden is overlooked by the gothic Dairy (listed Grade II*), which was constructed in 1753-55, perhaps to the design of Brown. The Dairy contains a re-set Roman mosaic pavement from Lenthay Common.

The Orangery Garden was formed by Brown from 1776, while a plan of 1796 shows the area laid out with a series of flower beds divided by narrow paths; this appears to correspond to Lady Digby's Flower Garden (HLM). A wrought-iron gate to the east of the Dairy leads from the Orangery Garden to the service court immediately west of the Castle. The central area of the court is today laid out with an approximately elliptical area of raised lawn with central and peripheral flower beds. On the south side of the court, beneath a mature Ilex oak stands the raised timber game larder and the entrance to the mid-C18 ice house. A tunnel leads west beneath the late-C18 brick wall which forms the western boundary of the court to provide access to further service buildings which, in the C18, stood between the court and the lake. The service area was remodelled and improved by Brown in c1776 (HLM). A walk leads south-west from the Orangery Garden, passing through an area of ornamental shrubbery and trees parallel to the south-east shore of the lake.

Passing through a metal gate the walk enters the park and joins the western drive which extends parallel to the southern end of the lake. At the south-west comer of the lake a further metal gate affords access from the drive to the pleasure grounds on the western and northern banks of the water. A serpentine gravel walk leads north for c 375m parallel to the western bank of the lake, through an area of lawns, shrubbery and specimen trees. To the west this area is enclosed by a stone wall which separates the pleasure grounds from a track, beyond which lies the kitchen garden. This track corresponds to the course of the public road to Dorchester stopped-up by George Wingfield Digby in the mid C19. The gravel walk turns north and north-west through an avenue of limes to reach Sir Walter Raleigh's Seat, a late-C16 raised stone terrace approached by a flight of steps and flanked by a pair of stone bench seats. The Seat is constructed against the wall separating the pleasure grounds from the former public road, allowing a view across both the road and eastwards across the lake which occupies the site of the early -C18 formal gardens.

Beyond Raleigh's Seat the walk continues north-west, crossing the outflow from the lake on a triple-arched medieval bridge which formerly served the public road. From the bridge and the walk on the northern side of the outflow there is a view of naturalistic rocky cascade which retains the lake; this is contemporary with the lake, and was constructed by Brown in 1753. To the north of the cascade and adjacent to the walk stands Pope's Seat, a stone-arched alcove surmounted by a crenellated parapet, which was constructed in the late C18, perhaps to the design of Henry Holland (HLM). The northern bank of the lake is planted with mature cedars and other specimen trees, together with groups of mature yews. The south-facing bank is terraced, perhaps a survival from the early C18 formal gardens. Walks extend parallel with the lake shore and below a mid-C18 crenellated stone wall which surmounts the slope.

The lower walk passes a ruined turret and section of stone wall c 50m south-east of the Castle; this was constructed in 1755 by Daniel Penny as a picturesque feature to enhance the effect of the castle ruins. The yews adjacent to the turret form part of the same picturesque scheme, as did the ivy which formerly mantled the medieval ruins (HLM). Beyond the ruined turret the walk turns north-north-east passing across a drive that leads over a late-C18 stone arched bridge to the medieval castle on. To the south-west of the bridge a wrought-iron clair-voir set in the castle wall allows a reciprocal view of the ruins and the park, which is here separated from the pleasure grounds by a ha-ha. Turning east, the walk extends for c 170m through a belt of mature trees and shrubbery which screens Pinford lane on the northern boundary of the site, to reach a C19 metal gate flanked by stone piers. This gate leads to a continuation of the walk passing through Long Plantation on the northern boundary of the park providing an approach to Pinford Farm.

THE PARK The park lies to the south and east of the present Castle, with a further area situated to the north of the eastern arm of the mid-C18 lake. The park is udulating, rising to the north and south, with a prominent area of high ground, Jerusalem Hill, to the southeast. The River Yeo flows from east to west through the shallow valley to the north of the Castle. This was dammed by Brown in 1753 to create the lake which forms the focal point of the park landscape. The lake was extended in 1764 and 1770-71. The park to the south of the Castle and west drive, known as Shooters Lawn or the Lawn, is in arable cultivation, having been converted from pasture during the Second World War. The north-facing slopes beyond this area, known as Old Park, remain wooded. A C20 vista aligned on the south facade of the Castle has been cut through the woodland, replicating, although on a different alignment, an avenue shown on the 1733 estate survey; this feature had been lost by 1796 (estate plan).

To the east and north-east, the park remains pasture with scattered trees and more dense woodland on the higher ground to the south-east. To the north the park boundary is screened by Long Plantation, while to the east the park is bounded by Goathill Wood. A sunk fence and stone wall extends north and north-east from the south-east drive to separate the deer park to the south-east from the remainder of the park, known as Old Park and Shooters Lawn. The park wall appears to have been constructed by 1570, while the ha-ha or sunk fence was built in 1766-68 to confine the deer to the higher ground to the south-east and allowing uninterrupted views from the Castle across the park. The water meadows associated with Pinford Farm are incorporated within the park to the east of Pinford Bridge. The meadows were created in 1763 and improved in 1771. During the late C18, Pinford was developed as a model farm within the expanded park. A deer park associated with the episcopal castle existed in the early C12, and by the mid-C14 this contained fish ponds (Proceedings, 1965).

The medieval park was enclosed by an earth pale, which by the late C16 was surmounted by a stone wall (map, 1570). The Tudor park was divided into four compartments, probably by fences; some of these areas correspond to those which survive today. The site of the present Castle was occupied by a lodge, constructed in c1500. By the early C18, Ladd's map (1733) shows some trees and scrub on the higher ground to the south of the Castle, together with scattered trees on Jerusalem Hill and fenced plantations on Haydon Ball. The early park was remodelled from 1753 by Edward Digby and Henry Digby, in part with the advice of Lancelot Brown. Work on the park continued into the late C18 as new land was acquired and incorporated into the ornamental scheme at Goathill (1781) and Crackmore (1792). Further improvements were undertaken in the mid-C19 by George Wingfield Digby, who extended the park to the west by the construction of New Road, and built a series of lodges at the principal entrances to the park and Middle Lodge within the park.

KITCHEN GARDEN The kitchen garden is situated c 270m west of the Castle, to the north of the stables, and to the west of the track which represents the course of the old Dorchester road, and east of New Road which replaced it in 1859. The garden is enclosed by brick walls under stone coping, and is sub-divided by similar walls into four compartments. The garden is now (2004) partly in use as a garden centre and nursery, with groups of late-C20 buildings associated with this use standing adjacent to the western wall of the garden. There are further late-C20 glasshouses and service structures within the two western compartments. The double-pile two-storey gardener's house remains towards the centre of the central compartment. This mid-C18 building is constructed in brick under stone slate roofs. The kitchen garden was constructed in 1753-55, perhaps with the advice of Brown.

Selected Sources Hutchins, J, History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset: Volume IV, (1870 ), 277-8 Mowl, T, Historic Gardens of Dorset, (2003), 84-87 Oswald, A, Country Houses of Dorset, (1959), 130-135 Pevsner, N, Newman, J, The Buildings of England: Dorset, (1972), 388-391 Stroud, D, Capability Brown, (1975), 239 'Country Life' in , (24 September 1910), 425-432 'Garden History' in , , Vol.

29 no 1, (2001), 64-81 'Garden History' in , (1976), 57-87 'Garden History' in , (1976), 5-8 'Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society' in , (vol 87, 1965), 227 'Notes and Queries' in , (no 22 (1975)), 490-491 'The Local Historian' in , (Nov 1995), 231-241 'Country Life' in , , Vol. 189, (6 July 1995), 62-65 'Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society' in , , Vol.

117, (1995), 15-19 Other A Rough PLan of Sherborne Park, 1769 (Sherborne Castle Archive), Capt Robert Digby, Plans for Pinford Bridge, c1767 (Sherborne Castle Archive), Sherborne and Lodge Parks - Park and Garden Survey (1990) by The National Trust, Quinquennial Inspection Report by the Countryside Agency (17 January 2005), Sherborne Park, Sherborne, Dorset Heritage Management Plan (Feb 2006) grant aided by the Countryside Agency, Title: Map of Dorset Source Date: 1570 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: Title: Map of Sherborne Parish Source Date: 1733 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: Title: OS 25" to 1 mile Source Date: 2nd edn revised 1901, published 1903 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: Title: OS 6" to 1 mile Source Date: 1st edn surveyed 1885, published 1889 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: National Grid Reference: ST 65

861 16382 Map © Crown Copyright and database right 2017.

All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900. © British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2017. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006. Use of this data is subject to Terms and Conditions . The above map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. For a copy of the full scale map, please see the attached PDF - 1000454 .pdf The PDF will be generated from our live systems and may take a few minutes to download depending on how busy our servers are. We apologise for this delay. This copy shows the entry on 15-Jan-2017 at 12:25:03. End of official listing English Castles - Sherborne Castle Castles of England - Sherborne Castle Location Sherborne, Dorset, England Description Sherborne Castle is situated half a mile east of Sherborne in the south west of England. The original rectangular four storey house with hexagonal corner turrets is the centerpiece of the castle with the later additions of four wings and further towers being attached to the four corners.

The castle is built of a light colored stone with brick detail. Within the grounds across the lake are the ruins of the original 12th century �Old Sherborne Castle�. Facilities The castle is open to the public between April and November 11am until 4.30pm at the weekends and from Tuesday to Thursday. The castle�s interior displays many items from the Digby collection including fine porcelain, art and furniture; other parts of the collection are held at Berrington Hall in Herefordshire. Visitors can also visit the medieval kitchens giving an idea of what life was like �below stairs�. The gardens and parklands are a very popular place to visit with walks around the lake with places to stop and enjoy a picnic, feed the birds or marvel at the ancient trees. Civil wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, renewal of vows ceremonies and naming ceremonies can all be held at the castle. Ceremonies take place in the Tudor parlour, the 18th century Orangery with a lakeside view or the Tudor entrance hall suitable for up to 75 guests.

History The original �Old Sherborne Castle� was built in the early 12th century as the fortified palace for Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury. In 1592 Queen Elizabeth persuaded the church to relinquish the estate and leased it for 99 years to Sir Walter Raleigh. Raleigh decided that the old castle didn�t meet his needs so he built a new home �Sherborne Lodge� on the south side of the lake in the deer park. After living in the lodge for only ten years Raleigh was imprisoned in the Tower of London for treason and was beheaded. His estates were forfeited to the King James who then sold the castle to the Earl of Bristol, Sir John Digby in 1617. The Digby family added four wings to the house, keeping the original corner towers in place. Following the civil war, and the dismantling of the �old� castle the lodge took on the name of �new� Sherborne Castle. Henry Digby, 7th Earl, appointed Capability Brown to create the lake and parkland in 1753, separating the old and new castles in the latest fashion.

The last Earl Digby died in the 19th century and so the estate passed to a nephew Wingfield Digby and is still within the family today. The castle has never seen conflict although it has been used both as a military hospital during World War I by the Red Cross and as the headquarters for soldiers involved in the D Day landings. Other Castles in the Area Pictures of Sherborne Castle Pictures of Sherborne Castle Pictures Accommodation Towns Attractions Reviews Map Upload Many fascinating tales remain from the time when Sherborne Castle was lived in by Sir Walter Raleigh, a favourite of Elizabeth I. Raleigh, a seasoned charmer, had coveted the Sherborne estate for some time, he admired the superb location of what was then a hunting lodge, and somehow he managed to persuaded the Queen to request the tenure of the castle from the Bishop of Salisbury. Once Elizabeth acquired the lease, she immediately passed it over to Raleigh, and when two years later he was banished from Court, he built himself a new house which he called "The Lodge", a name which stuck until around 1800. The house was a handsome square structure, with mellow walls standing four storey's high.

It was adorned with graceful towers, pinnacles, heraldic beasts and magnificent chimney stacks, all of which stood out against the warm Dorset skyline. Unfortunately, Raleigh's tenancy was short-lived, he was executed in 1616, and after this Sherborne Castle estate was granted to Sir John Digby, who later became Earl of Bristol. Today, this family still live at Sherborne castle. The Digby family enhanced the castle by the addition of four long wings, and yet more towers. In later years "Capability Brown" set out the magnificent landscape, making it a fitting backdrop for what is arguably one of the most romantic looking of all English castle's. The interior, although lavish, has smaller rooms than one would normally expect to find. That said, the scale of the state rooms is impressive, so too is the Solarium and Library. There are other more intimate rooms, each is special and all have stunning views over the garden, with its lovely flower beds, shaded bowers and picturesque lake with its abundance of wildlife. In this wonderfully serene place visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences.

Although the house was extensively redecorated in the 19th century, some of the rooms escaped, and these have remained largely untouched since the 17th century. Thus, the visitor is able to see unique interiors from most decorative periods of English architecture and interior design. During its history the castle has opened its doors to the great and the good of several centuries. Past "Royal" visitors have included Prince William of Orange who visited in the 17th century, and George III who stayed at the castle in 1789. Collections include fine Georgian furniture, porcelain, many splendid family portraits and other interesting paintings and works of art. In the grounds you can explore the Adam-style Orangery, enjoy afternoon tea in the Tea Garden and hunt for souvenirs in the well stocked gift shop. In the distance, across the park you can catch a glimpse of all that remains of the old 12th century Norman castle. Sherborne Castle is open from March until October. Please upload your photos of Sherborne Castle or see below for towns & villages near Sherborne Castle and a list of other nearby attractions to visit.

Sherborne (111 Pictures) (0.5 miles, 0.8 km) The softly glowing Ham stone of which most of the town properties are built, lends warmth and atmosphere to what is already a unique and attractive place... Melbury Osmond (2 Pictures) (6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction SW) A long, winding lane, flanked by grassy banks covered in fern and wild flowers, leads to the picture postcard village of Melbury Osmond.. (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction S) .. (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction E) A small attractive Market Town in Dorset... (9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction S) Famous for its huge chalk 'rude' giant, Cerne Abbas is a lovely ancient village in Dorset... Sherborne Abbey (6 Pictures) (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) Without doubt this magnificent Abbey built centuries ago of creamy Ham stone ranks amongst the finest Abbey churches anywhere in.....

Fleet Air Arm Museum (3 Pictures) (7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction NW) The Fleet Air Arm Museum houses Europe's largest Naval aviation collection. Go on-board Concorde and be transported by a..... Montacute House (67 Pictures) (9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction W) This is one of the most glittering of all the great Elizabethan mansions in England. It is built of glowing honey-coloured Ham..... The Cerne Giant (2 Pictures) (9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction S) This magnificent figure cut into the turf of a chalk hillside is best viewed from the north of the village. He is known as "The..... Lytes Cary Manor (42 Pictures) (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction NW) Intimate manor house with Arts & Crafts-style garden. Tudor great hall and 14th-century chapel, this was home to medieval..... Sherborne Castle (England): Top Tips Before You Go - TripAdvisor “only a quick visit” Reviewed November 13, 2016 Visited for a car show, stunning surroundings and building.

can not comment on what the place is like when no events on. But during an event the organisation of traffic flow is shambolic which they blamed on a car accident on a road no where near where the traffic was trying to get into the car parks Helpful? Report MariaWingfieldDigby, Owner at Sherborne Castle, responded to this review Hopefully next time you visit you will have time to explore the gardens and the interior of the Castle. Thank you for your review. More Alan H “Great attraction with helpful staff” Reviewed November 13, 2016 A beautiful and interesting house built by Sir Walter Raleigh. As I said to a member of staff, just big enough to be impressive but small enough to be intimate and interesting. Beautifully set out out. The room stewards were all friendly and informative, which created a nice atmosphere. Cafe provided good food, served by helpful and pleasant staff. Great... More Helpful? Report MariaWingfieldDigby, Owner at Sherborne Castle, responded to this review We are thrilled that you had a "first class day out". This review has made my day. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to write us up and we hope to see you here very soon.

More Vicki M “I'm sure the fireworks were lovely on the other side of the trees...” Reviewed November 6, 2016 A well-organised event but I was there because I love fireworks - the ones that boom and squeal. Not enough big booms and no squeals :( There were some nice-looking fireworks down behind the trees which I couldn't really see. Not spectacular as fireworks go... Helpful? Report MariaWingfieldDigby, Owner at Sherborne Castle, responded to this review Thank you for your review. I have passed your comments on to Events Crew who organise the fireworks. I assume your review is humorous because the fireworks were heard as far as way as Bishops Caundle and seen from Fifehead Neville! More Sarah-Jo R Reviewed November 5, 2016 via mobile We attended the firework display tonight for the first time - now I know why people go every year! Well organised, from the traffic marshalls keeping things flowing, parking, food and funfair through to the stage, the entertainment & of course the stunning fireworks and musical accompaniment. Although it was dark, it was clear that the gardens were beautiful (lovely... More Helpful?

Report MariaWingfieldDigby, Owner at Sherborne Castle, responded to this review Thank you for your lovely review. I am thrilled you had a Great Evening. I will pass on your comments to Events Crew who organise the Event. Thanks. More Chris-Tourle-Pearse “Stunning” Reviewed November 3, 2016 My wife and I had a wonderful day here with friends while on holiday in Dorset. We did the self guided tour around the Castle first and realy enjoyed it, the room guides where very well informed and answered all the questions we put to them. One visit is not enough to take it all in as there is so... More Helpful? Report MariaWingfieldDigby, Owner at Sherborne Castle, responded to this review What a lovely review to end our season on as we close for the winter. Thank you so much. We look forward to welcoming you back next year. We open again on 1st April 2017. The Spring is a lovely time to visit and we have spectacular displays of spring bulbs and daffodils. 3000 extra "Sherborne" Cultivar daffodils were planted...

More Plb89 Sherborne Old Castle | English Heritage Sherborne Old Castle Castleton, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3SA Currently closed, open from 1 April 2017 Castleton, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3SA Sherborne Old Castle is a romantic 12th century ruin set in beautiful grounds next to 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 I's maids of honour without her permission, it was then leased out but remained a favourite home of the famous explorer. The castle grounds are a haven for wildlife and birds and it is an ideal spot 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 & August, named after Sir Walter Raleigh's wife, Elizabeth, flowering throughout the grounds.

Don't Miss The latest sightings board in the shop The great gatehouse, still impressive after all this time The stunning views over the surrounding countryside The great range of birds, wildlife and fauna around the site 19141112Events at Property2 Membership starts from £43.50 Membership gives you unlimited access to castles and gardens, historic houses and abbeys, and kids go free… Join now UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OVER 400 HISTORIC PLACES Live and breathe the story of England at royal castles, historic gardens, forts & defences, world-famous prehistoric sites and many others. KIDS GO FREE Free entry for up to six children accompanied by an adult member (under 19 years and within the family group). MEMBERS' MAGAZINE AND HANDBOOK Complimentary full colour handbook worth £10.95. Plus our award winning Members’ Magazine delivered four times a year.

HUNDREDS OF HISTORIC EVENTS © Lee Crabb About us English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and places - from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of empire to a Cold War bunker. Through these, we bring the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year. The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a company, no. 0744722, registered in England. How We Are Funded Our target is to become completely self-funding by 2023. Our confidence in achieving this is based on our track record. During the past 10 years, our commercial income has doubled and we have raised nearly £60m in donated income. 66% Self-generated income English Castles - Old Sherborne Castle Castles of England - Old Sherborne Castle Location Sherborne, Dorset, England Description Old Sherborne Castle is situated in the grounds of the �New Sherborne Castle�, half a mile east of Sherborne in the south west of England.

The ruins of �Old Sherborne Castle� comprise of part of a high curtain wall and its three storey gatehouse and parts of the Great Tower and the north range. The castle is within an estate of over 15,000 acres of woodland, formal gardens and a lake Facilities The castle is open daily from 10am between April and November, and has its own small shop selling souvenirs, light refreshments, ice cream and soft drinks, or visitors are invited to picnic within the ruins. History �Old Sherborne Castle� was built in the early 12th century as the fortified palace for Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury who was also the Chancellor of England. He served as Chancellor to King Henry I, but after Henry�s death there were great conflicts as to the ownership of the castle, it was seized for the crown before finally being repurchased by the church who kept it until the late 16th century. Queen Elizabeth persuaded the church to relinquish the estate to the Crown in 1592 after Sir Walter Raleigh fell in love it and petitioned her to acquire it for him.

The castle was leased for 99 years to Sir Walter but he decided that the old castle did not meet his needs so he built a new home �Sherborne Lodge� on the south side of the lake in the deer park. The castle was used for the last time during the civil war when it was twice held for the King, on the second occasion it managed to hold out for over two weeks against General Fairfax. Finally, in the following year the castle�s defenses were partially dismantled to prevent further use and it was left abandoned. Although the castle is still within the estate owned by the Wingfield Digby family, it now in the care of English Heritage. Other Castles in the Area Pictures of Sherborne Pictures of Sherborne Pictures Accommodation Towns Attractions Reviews Facts Map Upload This delightful small north Dorset town is blest with an array of fine medieval buildings. These range from beautiful domestic Tudor properties to its fine Abbey, and two historic castles. The Abbey was begun by Roger de Caen, Bishop of Old Sarum, in the 12th century, and during the next three hundred years many additions and alterations were made until the building was finally completed in the 15th century.

Sherborne castle was originally purchased from the church by Queen Elizabeth I for her favourite, Sir Walter Raleigh. He was the originator of Sherborne Lodge, which was granted to the Digby family after Raleigh's execution in 1616. It is the Digby family, later to become Earls of Bristol, who added the splendid wings to the Lodge, thus the status of castle became more fitting. It was from Sherborne castle that William of Orange issued his proclamation in 1688. The ruins of "old" Sherborne castle can be seen outside the town. Within Sherborne's picturesque winding streets there are many other noted buildings, and you can easily identify some of the earlier Monastic buildings, these form part of Sherborne school which was founded in 1550. There are Almshouses, and two museums offer fascinating displays and information on the history of Sherborne and its people. There are pleasant relaxing gardens, and noted inns can be found both in and outside the town. Guided walks can be arranged through the local tourist information centre. There are some lovely shops and a market is held each Thursday and Saturday.

The softly glowing Ham stone of which most of the town properties are built, lends warmth and atmosphere to what is already a unique and attractive place. Planning a visit to Sherborne? Please support the Pictures of England website by booking your Sherborne hotels & accommodation through this site. in the county of Dorset (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction SW of Sherborne) A long, winding lane, flanked by grassy banks covered in fern and wild flowers, leads to the picture postcard village of Melbury Osmond.. in the county of Dorset (7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction S of Sherborne) .. a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset (9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction E of Sherborne) A small attractive Market Town in Dorset... a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction S of Sherborne) Famous for its huge chalk 'rude' giant, Cerne Abbas is a lovely ancient village in Dorset...

in the county of Dorset (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction S of Sherborne) This is a particularly scenic village lying deep in a chalk-stream valley between open downs. Every approach to it is beautiful, whether crossing the hills from Cerne Abbas or Maiden Newton, or coming up the waters of the River Cerne between meadows flooded with spring lambs and ponies... Sherborne Castle (80 Pictures) (0.5 miles, 0.8 km) Many fascinating tales remain from the time when Sherborne Castle was lived in by Sir Walter Raleigh, a favourite of Elizabeth I...... Sherborne Abbey (6 Pictures) (0.7 miles, 1.2 km) Without doubt this magnificent Abbey built centuries ago of creamy Ham stone ranks amongst the finest Abbey churches anywhere in..... Fleet Air Arm Museum (3 Pictures) (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction NW) The Fleet Air Arm Museum houses Europe's largest Naval aviation collection. Go on-board Concorde and be transported by a.....

Montacute House (67 Pictures) (8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction W) This is one of the most glittering of all the great Elizabethan mansions in England. It is built of glowing honey-coloured Ham..... Lytes Cary Manor (42 Pictures) (9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction NW) Intimate manor house with Arts & Crafts-style garden. Tudor great hall and 14th-century chapel, this was home to medieval..... The Cerne Giant (2 Pictures) (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction S) This magnificent figure cut into the turf of a chalk hillside is best viewed from the north of the village. He is known as "The..... Stourhead (72 Pictures) (13.8 miles, 22.3 km, direction NE) Designed by Henry Hoare II, Stourhead is one of England's most picturesque landscape gardens with classic temples and palladian.....

Question: Sherborne Castle is in which English county?
Answer: Dorset