MACREADY’S

Savour locally sourced dishes, light bites, and an extensive selection of wines, craft beers, and signature cocktails in a setting that blends timeless elegance with contemporary flair.

Named after William Charles Macready, the celebrated Victorian Shakespearean actor who lived at Sherborne House from 1851–1860, Macready’s continues his legacy of culture and hospitality.

Whether enjoying a relaxed lunch, coffee, or evening drinks, Macready’s offers a welcoming space where history and modernity meet.

A waiter in a light blue shirt taking an order from seated customers in a cozy restaurant with brick walls and framed pictures.
A waitress serving coffee to two women seated at a wooden table in a cafe with green plants in the background.
Seafood dish with squid ink rice, shrimp, clams, mussels, and sprigs of green herbs on a white plate.
A bowl of cooked mussels garnished with chopped herbs and pickled red onions on a wooden serving board.
Bartender pouring a pink cocktail through a strainer into a glass.

Drinks

By day, the Palm Bar serves carefully brewed coffees, teas, and light bites — the perfect pause in your day.

Seasonal delights with a little theatre — from winter comforts to coastal notes, every dish is led by what’s freshest and best. Our menu changes daily, with market-led specials shaped by the season (and the kitchen’s inspiration). Come in, settle down, and linger awhile. Discover our menu →

Every Friday and Saturday evening, it transforms into a stylish cocktail bar. Handcrafted drinks, seasonal flavours, and creative mixes make it the perfect spot to unwind after work or catch up with friends in style.

Light Lunches:

Good news — from Monday 2 February, join us for light lunches in the Pavilion on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Food Philosophy

At The Sherborne, food is rooted in simplicity, seasonality, and a sense of place.
We cook with care, celebrate local growers and makers, and let great ingredients speak for themselves.

Expect thoughtful plates, warm hospitality, and flavours inspired by Dorset’s fields, hedgerows and coastal larder.
Food here is slow-grown, freshly made, shared generously — nourishing body, mind, and good conversation.

Discover our menu →

Three chefs in a commercial kitchen smiling at the camera, wearing striped aprons and white chef jackets, with shelves of dishes and kitchen equipment behind them.
A formal dining table set with wine bottles, glasses, plates, silverware, napkins, salt and pepper shakers, and floral centerpieces, with a window showing natural light.
A table setting with two silver forks on a white napkin, and three white plates of varying sizes stacked on a wooden table.

Our private dining rooms offer an atmospheric blend of candlelight, Georgian proportion, curated art, and contemporary warmth — a setting that feels both special and easy to settle into.

At the heart of it is the Main Hall: generous, elegant, and wonderfully adaptable. It can host up to 30 guests for a seated lunch or dinner across three round tables, or 40–50 guests for a drinks reception. It’s also an excellent choice for corporate occasions, with flexible layouts to suit presentations, workshops, team lunches or informal networking.

For smaller celebrations and gatherings, the Best Parlour offers a more intimate kind of charm — calm, characterful, and beautifully arranged for up to 18 guests for lunch or dinner, or for business and private meetings where you’d like privacy without formality.

Whether you’re planning a wedding reception, birthday or anniversary, corporate event, or a celebration of life, The Sherborne offers a welcoming, versatile space — with thoughtful hosting and delicious food and drink to match the moment.

Private Dining & Events

Explore Venue Hire

Plan ahead or simply drop in; there’s always something worth staying for.

  • We welcome walk-ins, but booking is recommended for weekends and evenings to avoid disappointment.

  • Yes — we partner with trusted farmers, growers, and artisans from Dorset and the South West to keep our food fresh, sustainable, and full of flavour.

  • Yes, Macready’s is available for birthdays, anniversaries, private dinners, work gatherings, and more. We offer exclusive use or smaller group bookings.
    Please get in touch with the restaurant team directly at eat@thesherborne.uk

To book, call 01935 311617 or reserve online.