What’s On at The Sherborne

The Sherborne’s calendar brings together art, food, conversation, and community. You might arrive to find an exhibition opening, a tasting supper, or musicians playing in the gardens. Every visit offers something new to discover.

Our What’s On listings are updated regularly, featuring exhibitions, talks, performances, and workshops. Many events are free or ticketed at accessible prices — part of our commitment to making culture open to all. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to support our work; your voluntary contribution, however big or small, helps keep our doors open and our programmes running.

Upcoming events.

Last Meal on Death Row - Mat Collishaw
Jun
3
to 6 Sept

Last Meal on Death Row - Mat Collishaw

As part of Of Myths and MuralsLast Meal on Death Row by Mat Collishaw brings a quieter, more unsettling register to the programme. Known for works that pair seductive beauty with darker moral and psychological questions, Collishaw turns here to the final meals requested by condemned prisoners in the United States.

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Illyria presents, The Pirates of Penzance
Aug
27

Illyria presents, The Pirates of Penzance

Performed by a six-strong cast of actor-singers with fully orchestrated accompaniment, The Pirates of Penzance is packed with some of the most beloved songs in comic opera, including I Am a Pirate King. Full of satire, silliness and melodic brilliance, it remains every bit as buoyant, sharp and entertaining today.

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Illyria presents, The Pirates of Penzance
Aug
28

Illyria presents, The Pirates of Penzance

Performed by a six-strong cast of actor-singers with fully orchestrated accompaniment, The Pirates of Penzance is packed with some of the most beloved songs in comic opera, including I Am a Pirate King. Full of satire, silliness and melodic brilliance, it remains every bit as buoyant, sharp and entertaining today.

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The Mecca of the Seascapist
Jul
3

The Mecca of the Seascapist

Long before St Ives became synonymous with British modernism, it was already a place of artistic pilgrimage. Join art historian David Tovey for a richly illustrated talk exploring the original St Ives School: the remarkable colony of painters drawn to Cornwall’s extraordinary coastal light, working harbour and dramatic seascapes.

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The Sound of the Baroque Returns to The Sherborne
Jun
3
to 8 Jun

The Sound of the Baroque Returns to The Sherborne

For one week only, composer and pianist Richard Thomas Jones brings the sound of a period-correct harpsichord back to The Sherborne. Performed intermittently during gallery opening hours from 3–8 June, this fleeting musical moment is part of our cultural programme’s commitment to delight, surprise and champion thought leadership through art, history and imagination.

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Lucy Lethbridge: Servants: A Downstairs History of Britain
May
16

Lucy Lethbridge: Servants: A Downstairs History of Britain

Join acclaimed author Lucy Lethbridge for an illuminating talk on Servants: A Downstairs History of Britain, a vivid account of the lives, labour and hierarchies behind Britain’s great households. Set within the historic rooms of The Sherborne, this conversation will explore the often-invisible world of domestic service: the kitchens, corridors, back stairs and daily routines that sustained life “upstairs”.

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Shirley: Visions of Reality (2013)
May
11

Shirley: Visions of Reality (2013)

Striking, unusual and visually spellbinding, Shirley: Visions of Reality is part film, part artwork, and part meditation on solitude, performance and the American century. A compelling screening for lovers of art on screen, thoughtful cinema, and films that reward close attention.

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VE Day at The Sherborne with Ann Knobbs
May
8

VE Day at The Sherborne with Ann Knobbs

Join us for a joyful VE Day gathering in The Pavilion with Sherborne’s own Ann Knobbs. Ann will return to the piano for a lunchtime programme of much-loved wartime favourites, including We’ll Meet AgainUnderneath the Lamplight, and Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye. Guests are very welcome to sing along, or simply sit back and enjoy the music.

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Exhibition Changeover Notice
Apr
13
to 27 Apr

Exhibition Changeover Notice

From 13 to 27 April, our team will be carefully deinstalling Quentin Blake’s works as we prepare for a new exhibition.

We’ve loved sharing Quentin Blake’s joyful world with you, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon for the next chapter in our cultural programme.

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Cold War (2018)
Apr
13

Cold War (2018)

Filmed in luminous black and white, Cold War is both intimate and sweeping: a love story of extraordinary beauty, carried by a haunting soundtrack and some of the most striking cinematography in contemporary European cinema. A deeply romantic and quietly devastating film, it is not to be missed.

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Junk Modelling Art Buffet
Feb
20

Junk Modelling Art Buffet

Junk Modelling Art Buffet (Half Term) — Mon–Fri 16–20 Feb, 10am–3pm. Drop in for relaxed, family-friendly making using recycled “junk” materials. No booking needed — stay for 10 minutes or settle in longer.

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Junk Modelling Art Buffet
Feb
19

Junk Modelling Art Buffet

Junk Modelling Art Buffet (Half Term) — Mon–Fri 16–20 Feb, 10am–3pm. Drop in for relaxed, family-friendly making using recycled “junk” materials. No booking needed — stay for 10 minutes or settle in longer.

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Junk Modelling Art Buffet
Feb
18

Junk Modelling Art Buffet

Junk Modelling Art Buffet (Half Term) — Mon–Fri 16–20 Feb, 10am–3pm. Drop in for relaxed, family-friendly making using recycled “junk” materials. No booking needed — stay for 10 minutes or settle in longer.

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Junk Modelling Art Buffet
Feb
17

Junk Modelling Art Buffet

Junk Modelling Art Buffet (Half Term) — Mon–Fri 16–20 Feb, 10am–3pm. Drop in for relaxed, family-friendly making using recycled “junk” materials. No booking needed — stay for 10 minutes or settle in longer.

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Junk Modelling Art Buffet
Feb
16

Junk Modelling Art Buffet

Junk Modelling Art Buffet (Half Term) — Mon–Fri 16–20 Feb, 10am–3pm. Drop in for relaxed, family-friendly making using recycled “junk” materials. No booking needed — stay for 10 minutes or settle in longer.

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