Sherborne Old Castle
Dorset, England
Photo: Mik Peach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Dr John Wells, CC BY 4.0 · JackPeasePhotography, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Sherborne, 0.6 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Free entry; seasonal opening hours
Pinpoint
Castleton Rd, Sherborne DT9 3SA
Telephone 01935 812730
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- On-site parking by £3 donation, payable by text message.
- Access
- A long gravel path and a bridge lead in; terrain is mainly grass and gravel, level on the main site with a slope down to the moat.
- Facilities
- No on-site facilities; Sherborne town centre, under a mile away, has cafes, restaurants and toilets.
- Dogs
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
- Safety
- The grounds are very exposed, with no shelter in extreme weather.
The original medieval castle at Sherborne, built in the 12th century by Roger of Salisbury and later owned by Sir Walter Raleigh, who found it too impractical to live in and built the 'new' castle nearby instead. It was slighted after a Civil War siege and is now a free, unstaffed English Heritage ruin with seasonal opening hours.
At a glance
Who to know
Sir Walter Raleigh · owner who found it too impractical to live in
Worth the trip
Standing in the ruin that Sir Walter Raleigh himself gave up on - a historical figure's verdict on a building, surviving alongside the building itself.
Before you go
Check the seasonal opening hours before travelling, since access isn't year-round, and it's a separate site and ticket from Sherborne Castle down the road.
What visitors say
Sherborne Old Castle reviews · 4.4 / 5 across 521 Google reviews
Visitors praise these imposing 12th-century ruins on the edge of Sherborne as a free English Heritage site rich in Civil War history, with plenty of information boards explaining the layout.
Reviewers enjoy the space to walk around and the views, and note it is an easy stroll from the town.
Parking nearby is a small £3 donation.
“Super pleased to visit the old Sherborne castle. You’ll enjoy the walk around with information board telling you about the history.”- Malcolm Petfield, visitor review
Within reach of Bristol (35 miles) - see what else is nearby.
History
Roger de Caen · 12th century
Built by Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury, in the 12th century, Sherborne served as an episcopal palace for centuries. Sir Walter Raleigh leased it but built anew rather than inhabit the old castle, which was heavily damaged during the English Civil War.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “The castle is free to visit, with a £3 donation for the onsite parking.” - Andrew Thomas
Common questions about Sherborne Old Castle
Where is Sherborne Old Castle?
Sherborne Old Castle is in Dorset, England, at Castleton Rd, Sherborne DT9 3SA.
Is Sherborne Old Castle free to visit?
Yes - Sherborne Old Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by English Heritage. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
Is Sherborne Old Castle dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Sherborne Old Castle - one reviewer noted: “…a visit for all the family and you can bring your dog.”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
What is the highlight of visiting Sherborne Old Castle?
Standing in the ruin that Sir Walter Raleigh himself gave up on - a historical figure's verdict on a building, surviving alongside the building itself.
Is Sherborne Old Castle a ruin or still intact?
Sherborne Old Castle is a ruin - Free entry; seasonal opening hours.
