Sherborne
One of the most beautiful small towns in England, Sherborne takes its names from the ancient Saxon ‘scir burne’ meaning ‘clear stream’. It is famous for its historic buildings, including its abbey, manor house and castle ruins. Much of the old town is built from a distinctive ochre-coloured ham stone.
The town was once the ancient capital of Wessex, one of the seven Saxon kingdoms of England, and the brothers of the legendary King Alfred, King Ethelbert and King Ethelbald, are buried in Sherborne Abbey, which was founded in the 8th century. In 1075 the Bishop's seat moved to Salisbury and the church here became a Benedictine Monastery.
In the 12th century, the Bishop of Salisbury built a fortified palace. Known as Old Sherborne Castle, it was destroyed in 1645 during the Civil War, and the ruins are now owned by English Heritage who maintain the site. In 1594, Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite Sir Walter Raleigh built another mansion nearby, known as New Sherborne Castle. All of the buildings may be visited. But if history’s not your thing, why not take a window-shopping stroll down the main high street, perhaps stopping at one of the many recommended pubs for lunch?