by Tim Harry

Created on: November 09, 2008

Sherborne Castle in Dorset is another of the magnificent historic homes that England is blessed with. Dating back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth the house is a popular tourist attraction and member of the Historic Houses Association.

The term Sherborne Castle could actually apply to two different buildings set in the same ground, although the newer building is commonly called Sherborne Castle, there is actually the ruins of Sherborne Old Castle still visible. Sherborne Old Castle was built in the twelfth century as a fortified palace for the Bishop of Salisbury, Roger de Caen, who was also Chancellor of England. After the death of de Caen, Sherborne Castle remained in the possession of the church.

Sherborne New Castle, as viewable today, was built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594. Raleigh at the time was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, and managed to persuade her to acquire the grounds from the Church, so that he in turn could take ownership of it through a ninety-nine year lease. Raleigh had fallen in love with the medieval site on his travels from London to Plymouth. Raleigh's original idea was to make the original twelfth century castle habitable, but it was a dream that proved unachievable. Raleigh therefore turned his attention to the medieval hunting lodge found in the grounds.

Raleigh called his new Tudor mansion Sherborne lodge, a building consisting of four storeys in a rectangular shape with hexagonal corner turrets. Raleigh though only managed ten years as owner of Sherborne Castle as he fell out of favour with the crown, and whilst Raleigh was in prison, King James sold the castle and land to Sir John Digby in 1617. It was the Digby family who added the four additional wings in the 1620s.

Sherborne Castle though was substantially damaged during the English Civil War as it was a Royalist stronghold in Dorset. At this time the Parliamentary forces of General Fairfax effectively destroyed the old Castle. Repairs to Sherborne New Castle though followed the end of the Civil War, and ever since the castle has remained in the hands of the Digby family.

Sherborne Castle is open to the general public from the end of March through until the end of October. Entrance to the castle and gardens casts adults GBP 9 with children going free, although tickets to the gardens alone can be purchased at half price.

The castle has many interesting historic elements and artefacts, including porcelain, art and furniture, for visitors to observe, but it is the grounds that attract

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