Sherbourne

Sherbourne is arguably the jewel in Dorset’s crown and features a host of buildings built from the local gold stone. Sherbourne was the cathedral city between the 8th and 11th century, when the Abbey Church converted to a monastery. Fortunately it survived the dissolution of the monasteries and today you can see a Saxon doorway, Norman arches while the body of the church dates from the 15th century.

Sherbourne boasts two castles; the old castle dates from the 12th century and is now a ruin. Queen Elizabeth I gave it to Sir Walter Raleigh, in 1592 and he lived here before building himself a new mansion in the grounds two years later. The town also has a famous public school, which features in the classic British film, Goodbye Mr. Chips.