Castle · Ruin

Sherborne Old Castle

Sherborne, Dorset
Directions
  • Open
  • Free entry
  • Dogs in the grounds
  • Parking on site, free for members
  • English Heritage
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Photo: Mik Peach · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

Quick answer

Checked 14 Oct 2026

Sherborne Old Castle is a ruined castle near Sherborne, Dorset, managed by English Heritage. Entry is free. Dogs on a lead are welcome in the grounds but not inside. There is a members' car park on site.

Sherborne Old Castle opening times

Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  1. Mon 12 Not listed
  2. Tue 13 Not listed
  3. Wed 14 10:0017:00
  4. Today Thu 15 10:0017:00
  5. Fri 16 10:0017:00
  6. Sat 17 10:0017:00
  7. Sun 18 10:0017:00
Opening times by season
Season Dates Days Hours Last entry
Autumn daily 14 Oct to 31 Oct
Daily
10:00 to 17:00
 n/a
Winter daily 1 Nov to 16 Mar
Daily
10:00 to 16:00
 n/a

Closed on 24 Dec, 25 Dec, 26 Dec.

Check current times on the official site

Getting to Sherborne Old Castle and parking

Plan your route

These open in your own maps app. Nothing is sent from this page until you choose one.

Directions to Sherborne Old Castle View on a map
Parking
Car park on site, free for members. Limited; free for EH members with car sticker, non-members pay (main page: £3 donation by text). Roadside parking along Castleton Road.
By train
Sherborne is 0.6 miles away.
Public transport
Nearest stops Sherborne Greenhill or Digby Road (1 km walk). First 58 (Mon-Sat) Yeovil/Wincanton; CR4, CR5 (Mon-Fri).

Dogs, accessibility and facilities

Dogs

Partly
  • Welcome: in the grounds.
  • Not allowed: inside the buildings.
  • Leads: dogs must be kept on a lead.
  • 'Dogs on leads are welcome' at an open ruin; indoors not mentioned, lesser value.

Accessibility

Partly step-free
  • Step-free: in parts of the site.
  • Paths and surfaces: Long gravel path then bridge; mainly grass with gravel; main site level, sloped access to the moat; very exposed.

What to see at Sherborne Old Castle

  • 01

    Chapel

    A chapel inside the castle.

  • 02

    Gatehouse

    The fortified main entrance.

  • 03

    Moat

    A ditch, wet or dry, around the walls.

  • 04

    Views

    Notable views from the site.

History of Sherborne Old Castle

  1. 1645 Falls to Parliament after an 11-day siege.

Photos

Castles near Sherborne Old Castle

All 4 castles in Dorset

FAQs

When is Sherborne Old Castle open?

In the autumn daily season it opens every day from 10:00 to 17:00. Check the opening times above for the other seasons and closed dates.

How much does it cost to visit Sherborne Old Castle?

Entry is free.

Where do you park at Sherborne Old Castle?

There is a members' car park on site. Roadside parking along Castleton Road.

Sources

Every fact on this page last verified 14 Oct 2026
Suggest a correction
  1. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  2. OpenStreetMap · checked 15 Oct 2026
  3. Wikidata · checked 15 Oct 2026
  4. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  5. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026

We are independent and not affiliated with English Heritage. Prices and times can change at short notice, so check the operator's site on the day. How we check our data