Enquiries:

Sherborne Castle Estates, 9 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3PY

Tel: 01935 813182

Fax: 01935 816727

Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, Sherborne Castle has been the home of the Digby family since 1617. Prince William of Orange was entertained here in 1688, and George III visited in 1789. Splendid collections of art, furniture and porcelain are on view in the Castle. Lancelot 'Capability Brown' created the lake in 1753 and gave Sherborne the very latest in landscape gardening, with beautiful lakeside gardens and grounds.

Sir Walter Raleigh erected his new house in 1594, which he called 'Sherborne Lodge' to distinguish it from the Old Castle.  A stained glass window bearing his initials and coat of arms and the date 1594 survived in the Tudor building until the last century.  The rectangular, four storey house with its hexagonal corner turrets, forms the core of the present castle.  Sir Walter Raleigh died on the block accused of treason and his estates were forfeited to the crown.

King James I allowed Sir John Digby to purchase Sherborne Castle in 1617.   The four wings were added in the 1620's in a similar style.  During the Civil War the old castle was reduced to a ruin by the Parliamentary forces and the name 'Sherborne Castle' came to be applied to the new building.  Prince William of Orange was entertained here in November 1688 by the Digby family.  In 1724 the poet Alexander Pope visited the gardens laid out by Robert Digby.

Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was called in to create the lake in 1753.   The work took two years and gave Sherborne the very latest in landscape gardening.   George III visited Sherborne Castle in August 1789 and the following year honoured Henry by creating him Earl Digby.  In the 19th Century the last Earl Digby died without heir and Sherborne Castle was left to his Wingfield Digby nephew.  It is still in the care of the Wingfield Digby family.  In World War I the castle became a Red Cross Hospital for wounded soldiers.  During World War II the castle was the HQ for the Commandos for the D-Day landings.

The Castle was opened to the public in 1969 and hosts a variety of events in the Grounds during the summer season.

Opening times 1st April to 1st November 2010

Castle, Gardens, Gift Shop and Tea Room - open daily, except Mondays and Fridays (but open on Bank Holiday Mondays), from 11.00am with last admission at 4.30pm (on Saturdays, Castle interior opens later at 2.00pm with last admission at 4.30pm).

Admission Charges 2010

Gardens only:
Adult/Senior  £5:00 
Child (0-15 years)    Free (maximum of 4 accompanied by a paying adult)

No concessions or party rate for gardens only  
(NB additional fee for the Castle interior: Adult £4.50, Senior £4.00)

Castle and Gardens:
Adult            £9.50
Senior          £9.00
Child (0-15 years)    Free (maximum of 4 accompanied by a paying adult)


Party Rate Castle and Gardens for groups of 15 or more:
Adult & Senior    £8.50    (no concessions)
Child (0-15 years)    £3.50                

Private Views for groups of 15 or more:
Adult/Senior  £10.50    
Child            £  5.00    

Season Tickets:                                    
Gardens & Grounds Only: full year, Jan to Dec, adult/seniors £45.00; with Castle £54.00. (Season Tickets are sold throughout the year, with the cost adjusted monthly, pro rata).
 

Sherborne Castle & Lakeside Gardens ~ for a Stately Home Wedding

Sherborne Castle is a wonderful stately venue for Civil Marriage Ceremonies, Civil Partnerships and Wedding Receptions. Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, with lake and gardens landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the Castle and Lakeside Gardens provide both a beautiful and historic setting for a stately home wedding.

The Castle has three rooms licenced for ceremonies; the Solarium, Sir Walter Raleigh’s original front parlour (seating 60 people) and the Tudor Entrance Hall (30 people) within the Castle, and outside, elegantly landscaped within the surrounding lakeside gardens, the beautiful C18th lakeside Orangery (80 people).

Just a short distance from the Castle, the Orangery also provides a light and airy setting for Wedding Receptions.  It can accommodate a small celebration of up to 40 guests seated, but is most often used for larger weddings as the reception area to an adjoining lakeside marquee; this marquee arrangement can increase the guest number to approximately 200 people. Together with the Gingko Lawn and lake pier, the Castle and surrounding Gardens make this a truly romantic and magical setting – not to mention a wedding photographer’s paradise. Our Reception facilities are offered on a venue only basis, enabling couples to create their very own character for their special day.

For more details please contact Joan Foot on 01935 813182 Ext:2 or use our email:weddings@sherbornecastle.com or visit the castle’s own website www.sherbornecastle.com which provides full details of facilities and fees.