And the winner is… The Sherborne!
The Sherborne wins prestigious Muddy Stilettos Award
We are absolutely delighted to share that The Sherborne has won the Arts, Culture and Theatre category in the 2026 Muddy Stilettos Awards.
The award recognises The Sherborne as one of the South West’s leading cultural destinations, and we could not be more thrilled, grateful, or quietly fizzing with joy.
The Muddy Stilettos Awards celebrate the best independent businesses and destinations across the UK, shining a spotlight on brilliant places to visit, eat, shop, stay, explore and enjoy. This year, the awards reached an online audience of 14 million people nationally and attracted nearly half a million votes across 21 categories.
The Sherborne was shortlisted alongside nine other finalists, including theatres, museums, galleries and a literary festival from across the region, with fellow finalists in Bath, Bristol, Bournemouth and beyond. To be recognised among such a strong field is a real honour. To win is something very special indeed.
This award comes at an exciting moment for The Sherborne, as our restored Grade I listed house continues to grow as a place where art, heritage, food, creativity and community meet. Since reopening in 2024, we have welcomed more and more visitors through the doors to enjoy free exhibitions, our cultural programme, restored interiors, gardens, shop, café and restaurant.
At the heart of this recognition is the Destination Sherborne vision: to encourage more people to discover Sherborne as a cultural destination, and to experience everything this remarkable town has to offer. The award reflects not only growing awareness of The Sherborne, but also the enthusiasm of our visitors, who continue to champion us, share their visits and help spread the word.
Under the stewardship of CEO Liz Gilmore, The Sherborne has begun to attract nationally significant artists and ambitious exhibitions, most recently showcasing the work of Sir Quentin Blake, contemporary paintings by Mat Collishaw and the enigmatic artist known as The Baron Gilvan.
The Restaurant at The Sherborne has also given visitors another reason to stay a little longer, with a fresh, seasonal menu celebrating Dorset’s fields, gardens, hedgerows and coast.
Liz Gilmore, CEO of The Sherborne, said:
“It is wonderful to have such recognition for our unique artistic and exhibition programme, and for The Sherborne as a place where art, heritage, hospitality and community come together.
I want to say a huge thank you to all our visitors, staff, volunteers, trustees and supporters for the vibrancy they bring to making The Sherborne such a dynamic and ambitious venue. This award is a celebration of everyone who has helped bring The Sherborne to life.”
This really is a celebration of many hands, hearts and imaginations. From our staff and volunteers to our visitors, trustees, supporters, artists and local community, The Sherborne is being shaped by everyone who walks through the door, tells a friend, brings someone along, buys a ticket, books a table, shares a post, or simply spends time here.
Thank you to everyone who voted for us, supported us and helped us reach this moment.
We are so proud to bring this award home to Sherborne.
Come and celebrate with us soon.