About
Sherborne Old Castle is an evocative medieval ruin in Dorset whose history spans from powerful bishops to the Elizabethan adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh. Managed by English Heritage, the castle stands on a commanding ridge overlooking Sherborne Lake, with views across to the later Sherborne Castle (Lodge) that Raleigh built to replace it, creating a unique historical pairing of old and new that tells a fascinating story of changing architectural tastes.
The castle was built in the early 12th century by Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury, who was also Lord Chancellor of England under Henry I. Bishop Roger was one of the great medieval builder-bishops, and Sherborne was designed as a palatial fortified residence befitting his enormous wealth and political power. The castle featured a great tower, chapel, domestic ranges, and sophisticated defensive works that made it one of the most impressive castles in southern England.
The castle's most famous chapter began in 1592 when Queen Elizabeth I granted it to her favourite adventurer, Sir Walter Raleigh. Raleigh initially attempted to modernise the old castle but found it too medieval and impractical for his sophisticated Elizabethan tastes. He abandoned the conversion and instead built an entirely new lodge — now known as Sherborne Castle — on the opposite side of the lake. The old castle was left largely unaltered, preserving its medieval character.
During the English Civil War, Sherborne Old Castle was garrisoned for the Royalists and withstood two sieges before falling to Parliamentary forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax in 1645. The victorious Parliamentarians systematically slighted the castle, rendering it permanently unusable as a fortification. The ruins that survive today are a direct result of this deliberate destruction, creating atmospheric remains that include the great tower, gatehouse, north range, and substantial curtain walls. The lakeside setting, with the Elizabethan castle visible across the water, makes Sherborne Old Castle one of the most picturesquely situated ruins in the West Country.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
Quietest: Wednesday, Thursday
Busiest: Saturday, Sunday
💡 Late afternoon for best light on the ruins and atmospheric lake views
💡 Visitor Tips
- Visit both the Old Castle and Sherborne Castle (New Castle) across the lake for the full story — Raleigh's architectural ambition makes much more sense when you've seen what he was trying to replace.
- The castle is entirely outdoors with uneven surfaces — wear sturdy footwear, especially after rain.
- Late afternoon light creates the most dramatic photography as the setting sun illuminates the ruins and lake simultaneously.
- Sherborne Abbey in the town centre is well worth combining with your castle visit — one of the finest abbey churches in England.
- There are no refreshments at the castle — Sherborne town centre (15 minutes' walk) has excellent cafés and pubs.
- The site is compact but allow at least an hour to fully appreciate the ruins, lake views, and interpretation panels.
- Sherborne railway station is 15 minutes' walk away on the London Waterloo to Exeter line, making the castle accessible by train.
Highlights
The Great Tower
The castle's great tower, built by Bishop Roger in the 1120s-1130s, is the most impressive surviving feature. Although partially destroyed during the Civil War slighting, its remaining walls reveal the scale and quality of Norman construction. The tower served as both defensive strongpoint and prestigious residence, containing a great hall, private chambers, and chapel.
The quality of stonework demonstrates the enormous resources available to Bishop Roger, who was one of the richest and most powerful men in England. Standing within the tower ruins gives visitors a vivid sense of the strength and ambition of this early medieval fortification.
The Sir Walter Raleigh Connection
The old castle's most colourful chapter began in 1592 when Elizabeth I granted it to Sir Walter Raleigh, the explorer, poet, and adventurer who was her great favourite. Raleigh initially attempted to convert the medieval castle into a comfortable Elizabethan residence, but found the thick Norman walls, small windows, and impractical layout too difficult to modernise.
He famously abandoned the project and built an entirely new lodge across the lake — now known as Sherborne Castle — which better suited his sophisticated tastes.
The old castle was left essentially unaltered, accidentally preserving its medieval character for future generations.
Bishop Roger's Palace
Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury, built Sherborne Old Castle as one of his impressive chain of castles across southern England. As Lord Chancellor and effective ruler of England during Henry I's frequent absences in Normandy, Bishop Roger had the wealth and political need for magnificent fortified residences.
Sherborne was designed as a palatial complex combining military strength with domestic comfort, featuring a great hall, chapel, private chambers, and defensive works.
The castle's construction demonstrates how medieval bishops wielded power rivalling secular lords, and how ecclesiastical wealth funded some of the finest architectural projects of the 12th century.
The Civil War Sieges
Sherborne Old Castle saw fierce fighting during the English Civil War. Initially held for the Royalists, the castle was besieged twice by Parliamentary forces. The first siege in 1642 failed to capture it, but in 1645 Sir Thomas Fairfax brought overwhelming force against the garrison.
After a brutal 16-day bombardment that breached the walls, Parliamentary troops stormed the castle and took it. The victors systematically slighted the fortification, demolishing sections of wall and tower to prevent any future military use. The dramatic ruins visible today are directly shaped by this Civil War destruction.
Collections
As an English Heritage ruin, Sherborne Old Castle's primary interest lies in its surviving architecture and the historical stories embedded in its walls. On-site interpretation panels explain the castle's history from Bishop Roger's palatial construction through Sir Walter Raleigh's brief tenure to the Civil War destruction.
The picturesque lakeside setting and visual relationship with the later Sherborne Castle across the lake provide additional layers of historical interest.
The Story of Sherborne Castle
On-site interpretation covering the castle's history from Bishop Roger's 12th-century palace through Sir Walter Raleigh's abandonment to the English Civil War sieges and slighting.
📍 Throughout site
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.