Free Entry
Open daily from 10am-5pm April to October, 10am-4pm November to March
Address:
Castleton, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3SA
For more than half its history, Sherborne Old Castle was a grand and strongly fortified palace of the bishops of Salisbury. You can still explore the ruins of its great tower, chapels and strong southwest gatehouse. In Elizabethan times, it was leased to the famous explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.
The castle remained a formidable fortress and became a powerful Royalist base during the Civil War. Described by Cromwell as 'malicious and mischievous, like its owner', it finally fell to Parliamentarian forces in 1645 after a fierce 11-day siege.
Today, the castle grounds are a haven for wildlife and birds, with picturesque views across the surrounding countryside.
Before You Go
Parking: Car Parking is available on site. There is £3 donation for parking which is payable by text message. This can be done at the site or before you go by texting SHERBORNE to 70085.
Access: The site is accessed via a long gravel path and then over a bridge on to the site. The site is mainly grass with some gravelled areas. The main site is level, but there is sloped access to the moat.
Facilities: Sherborne town centre is located less than a mile away where you can find lots of cafes, restaurants and public toilets.
Groups and Schools: Email us on WestVolunteerEngagementTeam@english-heritage.org.uk to arrange school or group visits.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.
Please be aware: The site is very exposed, with no shelter in extreme weather conditions.
Drone flying: Please see our drone guidance