Discover Sherborne: A Quaint Dorset Town Perfect for a Weekend Escape
Famed for the Jurassic Coast, the New Forest, and coastal gems like Bournemouth and Swanage, Dorset attracts over 10 million visitors annually. However, inland towns often get overlooked in this county defined by its stunning shoreline. That is why I ventured to Sherborne, a small medieval market town nestled 25 miles inland in northwest Dorset. This hidden gem moves at a gentler pace than bustling tourist hotspots, with no queues spilling out of cafés or frantic rushes between attractions. Instead, you will find honey-coloured buildings, church bells marking the time, and a high street brimming with independent shops. With top-tier bakeries and fine dining options, it is clear that food lovers have been missing out on Sherborne. Here is everything I experienced during my visit to this underrated destination and why you should consider it for your next day trip.
How to Spend a Day in Sherborne
The heart of the town is Sherborne Abbey, visible from nearly every street. Dating back to 705 AD, it serves as the burial site for two Saxon kings and features an impressive fan-vaulted roof along with the stunning stained-glass Great West Window. I used the Abbey, often called the cathedral of Dorset, as a central reference point for my exploration—turning left at the Abbey, capturing another photo by its golden stone that shifts colour throughout the day. Entry is free, and during the summer months, free guided tours are available, with timings listed on their website.
While Sherborne is steeped in spiritual history, locals seem to worship another religion: food. Life here revolves around eating, with bakeries drawing lines of regulars, restaurants filled with familiar faces, and cafés where patrons linger without hurry. Lunch at Oxford’s Bakery exemplified this culture. Open for over 200 years and still using ovens installed in 1921, it is not a tourist trap but a daily institution. Head baker Steve Oxford shared that locals once brought their Christmas turkeys here to cook, and during Covid, he hired taxi drivers to deliver bread to those unable to leave home. It felt less like a stop on an itinerary and more like a cornerstone holding the community together.
Between meals, I engaged in the ultimate day trip activity: wandering. The Sherborne Antiques Market seems endless, filled with items ranging from delicate glassware to weathered wooden furniture. On Cheap Street, more antique shops and small boutiques appear in succession. Eventually, I discovered the town’s best-kept secret, The Sherborne, a contemporary arts space housed in a former school. During my visit, there were two Quentin Blake exhibitions—one displaying 100 portraits and another showcasing new illustrations themed around lift, flight, or being airborne. Open until spring 2026, admission is free, though a £10 donation is requested for those able to contribute. Do not miss the award-winning bathroom, which won the Quirky Award at the Loo of the Year Awards 2026, featuring wood-panelled doors, plush seating, and statement wallpaper.
From here, it is an easy stroll to the landscaped grounds of Sherborne Castle or the romantic ruins of Sherborne Old Castle, with flat, open paths offering views of the soft, rolling Dorset countryside. For dinner, I headed to The Clockspire, about a 10-minute drive from the centre and hailed by locals as the fanciest dining spot for miles. Inside, soaring ceilings, vast arched windows, and candlelit tables create a grand yet intimate atmosphere. Staff greet guests like old friends, conversations flow freely, and wine glasses are promptly refilled. The menu featured dishes like slow-cooked pork belly with sharp rhubarb and bacon foam, stone bass with nori, fennel, and caramelised apple in a cider sauce, and a salted chocolate parfait with yoghurt sorbet. The cost for two people was just over £160, making it feel less like a restaurant and more like the town’s most special dining room.
Why Sherborne is the Ideal Staycation
Sherborne offers beauty and history without feeling like a mere backdrop. It provides plenty to do while remaining completely relaxing. What I loved most was its strong sense of community, where people greet each other in the street and local eateries hold real significance. By the end of the day, I realised I had not checked my phone in hours. Dorset may be famous for its coast, but for a slower and more satisfying escape, I would choose Sherborne every time.
How to Get to Sherborne from London
Trains from London Waterloo to Sherborne take approximately three hours. The 130-mile drive via the M3 and A303 also takes around three hours. Once you arrive, the town is compact and best explored on foot, making it an accessible and charming destination for a weekend break.
