Sherborne shines in The Telegraph

Sherborne has been given a glowing write-up in The Telegraph, with Letters Editor Orlando Bird spending a weekend exploring the town and asking what makes it such a distinctive Dorset destination.

The article, titled ‘A civilised place for civilised people’: My weekend in the most Telegraph town in Britain, celebrates Sherborne’s rich history, independent spirit and quietly evolving cultural life. From the Abbey and the castles to the bustle of Cheap Street, antique shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants, Bird paints a portrait of a town that is full of character, conversation and charm.

As one local resident puts it in the piece:

“It’s a civilised place for civilised people.”

We were especially delighted to see The Sherborne included as part of the town’s growing appeal as a cultural destination. Bird describes Sherborne as a place that is becoming more of a destination in its own right, with arts, food, heritage and hospitality all playing their part.

The Sherborne is mentioned alongside the town’s independent businesses, historic architecture, gardens, food scene and creative energy, helping to tell a wider story about why more people are discovering Sherborne, not as somewhere sleepy, but somewhere full of life.

It is a lovely moment for the town, and a timely reminder of what makes this place so special: history with a pulse, culture with a warm welcome, and plenty of good reasons to linger.

Read the full article in The Telegraph here.

Credit: The Telegraph, “A civilised place for civilised people’: My weekend in the most Telegraph town in Britain”, by Orlando Bird, Letters Editor. Published online 22 June 2026.