Inspiration

Discover elegant Sherborne from one of these charming cottages

Guest Expert

5 min read

Once the capital of Wessex, Sherborne’s wealth was built on the wool trade, and an air of splendour remains in its gorgeous honey-hued buildings. It’s all medieval inns, Tudor piles and elegant Georgian townhouses, plus the stunning Benedictine Abbey, two castles — one a stately home built by Sir Walter Raleigh with grounds designed by Capability Brown, the other a romantic ruin — upmarket antique shops, chic independent emporiums and delis laden with delicious food. Check out The Jerram Gallery and Winstone’s bookshop or nip to the buzzy bi-weekly market (Thursday and Saturday) where you can stock up on delicious local produce to cook back at your self-catering cottage.

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Dorset

Stable Cottage

Find a tranquil slice of country life in this comfortable, immaculate cottage with views over tree-lined lawns to woodland spiked by the village church tower and Corton Hill. Historic Sherborne is a ten-minute drive and you can visit for the Abbey, two castles, good food and bustling markets. Or hop on the long-distance Macmillan and Monarch’s Way. You stay in the picturesque village of Corton Denham with its church, award-winning pub, The Queens Arms, and rolling countryside walks. You’ve your own small, sheltered garden and are welcome to wander the wider manor grounds to admire the billowing herbaceous borders, the prolific vegetable garden (that supplies the next door pub), rare trees, orchards and lake.

Owner Jane: Sherborne has two castles, the ruins of the Old Castle and the New Castle, built by Sir Walter Raleigh, is set amongst a deer park and lake.

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Eastbury Cottage

You’re in the beating heart of Sherborne, famed for its school, listed buildings and Abbey. It’s a pleasant amble through the deer park to Sherborne Castle where you can browse for antiques, visit independent shops and delis. Stroll back to your cosy end of terrace cottage with a small private garden, big inglenook fireplace and a wood-burner, books, games and Netflix and Alexa for rainy days of movies and music. French doors lead out to the garden for al fresco suppers or a barbecue, but if you’d rather not fend for yourselves just nip up the road for breakfast, lunch and supper, or to use the spa. Don’t miss the bi-weekly market on Cheap Street (Thursdays and Saturdays) and Winstone’s bookshop.

Owner Peter: With so much history who could resist a guided tour of Sherborne! Whether you want to hear about Sir Walter Raleigh or the Pack Monday Fair, our guides have all the knowledge.

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Strawberry Thief

A wisteria-clad end of terrace cottage in rural countryside just ten minutes from historic Sherborne. Nip into town to pick up supplies at the bi-weekly market, visit the Abbey or Sherborne Castle and Gardens, the former built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, the latter landscaped by Capability Brown. Back at base, there’s a wood burner to keep you toasty, board games, books and DVDs and a hamper of milk, bread, eggs and chocolates. Kids can tumble around in the long grass in the orchard while you enjoy al fresco lunches on the terrace with field and wooded hill views. A circular walk goes up to the Ridgeway and drops down into the valley and Corton Denham, where you can stop for a drink in the award-winning Queens Arms.

Owner Emma: Take a short walk to the pub, the Queens Arms will give you a very warm welcome. Pork pies on the bar, gin tasting, a summer terrace, and roaring fires.

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Garden House

You’re in the middle of a tiny hamlet on the side of a hill that feels like the middle of nowhere, but is just three miles from lovely Sherborne with its Benedictine Abbey, two castles, and a vast deer park. Inside, your wooden clad retreat, tucked away in Andrew and Susan’s pretty garden, is spacious and light-filled with a double height living room. You’ll find a basket of breakfast goodies plus a stack of books and games for rainy days and a piano should you feel inspired. Ask about borrowing bikes, and you may use the swimming pool and tennis court. Walk for miles or simply stroll across the fields to The Mitre Pub.

Owner Susan: Sherborne has historic buildings, shops, cafes, two castles (an ‘old Castle’ plus the ‘new Castle’ built by Sir Walter Raleigh) and the stunning Abbey with its fan-vaulted ceiling; regular markets, antique fairs and vintage bazaars.

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Carmen McCormack

Guest Expert

Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.

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