About the museum

The following notes highlight a few of the items from different periods which are on display at Sherborne Museum:

In 1136 Bishop Roger completed a fortified palace a little to the East of the Abbey. Only the ruins now stand, but models and drawings show the impressive scale of the Old Castle which survived for 500 years until destroyed under Cromwell.

A wall painting of 1480, taken from a medieval house nearby, was discovered only in 1962 under layers of paper and whitewash. It illustrates a legend, explained in a panel, concerning a cleric who conjured a (disarmingly perky) devil into a boot.

In 1592 Sir Walter Raleigh acquired the Castle and Manor of Sherborne and intended to spend his retirement years there. He built a fine new house a short distance away, retaining the Castle for ceremonial use. His house forms the heart of what is now known as the New Castle. Sir Walter and his wife enjoyed their new home for less than nine years before his execution under James I. In 1617 the estate with the two castles was purchased by Sir John Digby and has now remained in the Digby family for nearly four centuries. Plans, drawings and other items in the Museum illustrate Sir Walter Raleigh's original building and the several enlargements made by the Digby family.

Nineteenth-century Sherborne is brought to life by a very wide range of items. Of particular interest is the Gerald Pitman collection of photographs; paintings and drawings of Sherborne; and the David Hunt photographic collection of 5000 prints and 9000 plastic negatives and glass plates recording events and people in the town since 1880.

The Costume Collection, of which a selection is on display, contains a number of items with links to local people.

The fully furnished Sherborne Dolls House is on permanent display for the delight of children of all ages.

The staff and the curator of the Museum are always happy to answer visitor's enquiries and to give access, by arrangement in advance, for serious students to material which may not be on general display.

Book Collection

The museum has a large number of interesting books. Some are rare and others more recent and of local interest. In line with our policy to make our collection more accessible our books can be seen by prior appointment at the museum for research and serious study. Further details are available on 01935 812252

Reserve Collection

We are working towards making items in our reserve collection more accessible. Specific items can be made available for viewing. Advance notice is required of the item or subject being studied and an appointment will need to be booked.