Plan your visit
Free and open to all.
Discover a historic house, galleries of contemporary and heritage art, terrace gardens and a café within the heart of Sherborne.
Sherborne is a town rich in history, charm and cultural life. Wander its independent shops and bustling markets, step inside the magnificent Abbey with its soaring fan-vaulted ceiling, and discover Medieval landmarks, an Almshouse and not one but two Castles. With excellent transport links, Sherborne makes for an easy and inspiring day out.
The Sherborne sits at the top of town, just a short stroll from the high street and within easy walking distance of local bus stops and South Western Railway trains at South Street. A visit here invites you to pause, explore and connect — with art, stories, nature and one another.
We recommend allowing at least 1 hour and 30 minutes to enjoy the House, the galleries, and the terraced gardens.
Opening hours
The Sherborne, including House, Galleries, Gardens & Shop
Monday - Saturday
10am - 5pm
Sunday (& Bank Holidays)
10am - 4pm
Exhibition galleries open at 10:30am *last entry 50 minutes prior to closure
Café: open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm & Sunday 10am - 3:30pm
Restaurant & Bar
Closed: Monday & Tuesday
Lunch:
Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm -2:30pm
Light Lunches in the Pavilion:
Monday - Sunday 12pm - 2:30pm
Dinner:
Friday & Saturday, 6pm – 8:30pm
From time to time, areas of the house, galleries, or gardens may be temporarily closed for private hire and events. We recommend checking our Latest Announcements below before your visit, where any temporary closures or changes to access will be clearly listed.
LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS
Any temporary closures or changes to access will be posted here.
As of now, the contemporary staircase is temporarily closed, and the lifts are also unavailable for health and safety reasons.
From 13 to 27 April, we’ll be deinstalling Quentin Blake’s works as we prepare for a new exhibition. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Thursday 23 April
Please note that there will be a reduced light lunch service in the Pavilion on Thursday, 23 April due to an early closure.
Getting here
Address
The Sherborne, Newland, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3JG
By Train
South Western Railway services run regularly to Sherborne Station, a 10-minute walk from The Sherborne.
By Bus
Local bus services stop a few minutes’ walk away, offering smooth access from surrounding towns.
By Car & Parking
Sherborne offers several convenient car parks within easy reach, including Newland North, Coldharbour, and Old Market Yard. Limited free roadside parking is also available locally.
We have a small number of restricted-mobility parking spaces on site, with drop-off access available. To help us assist you, please call ahead where possible.
Come, stay awhile, explore and be inspired.
Facilities & Access
We want every visitor to feel welcome and supported. Our Visitor Experience team is here to help — please get in touch before your visit if you have specific access needs.
Fully wheelchair accessible, including a lift and accessible toilets. Family-friendly with baby-changing facilities.
Need help?
To book a restricted-mobility parking space on site, or arrange drop-off access, please get in touch with the Visitor Experience team directly:
Email: reception@thesherborne.uk
Phone: 01935 313000
Admission & Visits
Entry to the house, galleries and gardens is included in your visit. Special exhibitions and preview nights may require advance booking. Groups and school visits welcome — contact our Visitor Experience team.
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the front terrace.
Dogs are not permitted inside the house, in the rear gardens, shop or restaurant — with the exception of assistance dogs.
What to Explore
View the nationally significant Sir James Thornhill mural in our Georgian house.
Wander the terraced gardens and discover sculptural artworks in seasonal planting.
Enjoy locally-sourced food and drink from the restaurant and from our daily café.
Visit our shop for delightfully curated gifts.
Visitor Guidelines
Some areas may be closed for private hire — check the LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS above for the current status. Where possible, we’ll add these to our What’s On cultural calendar.
Food & drink is only permitted in designated areas.
For group or school bookings, we’ll help you plan a seamless visit.