Heritage Reimagined. Culture Reborn.

The Sherborne is where history meets innovation—an arts and cultural space breathing new life into one of the town’s most iconic buildings.

What’s On

Discover what’s happening at The Sherborne.
Exhibitions, performances, workshops, and moments of connection — there’s always something unfolding here.

A watercolor sketch of a city street scene with people walking, buildings with balconies, and a dome of a church in the background.

Quentin Blake

EXHIBITION

28.11.25 - 04.01.26

A candlelit festive exhibition at The Sherborne.
This winter, The Sherborne invites visitors into a uniquely magical experience: an intimate, candlelit display of Sir Quentin Blake’s original illustrations for Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol—exhibited on the site where Dickens himself delivered a celebrated public reading of the story in 1854.

Learn more
  • Night view of a large historic house decorated with Christmas lights, featuring a Christmas tree outside, and lit trees along the driveway, with a dark blue evening sky.

    Christmas at The Sherborne

    EVENT | COMMUNITY

    28.11.25 17:00PM -20:00PM

    Our Christmas Light Switch-On is back, bringing sparkle, cheer, and community spirit.

    Enjoy seasonal treats, music, and magical lights as we illuminate the season together – the perfect start to a joyful Christmas!

    Plan your visit
  • A colorful watercolor and ink sketch of a woman dressed as a witch, surrounded by bouncing pumpkins, in front of a large full moon, displaying a festive Halloween scene.

    Quentin Blake - A Christmas Carol

    EXHIBITION

    29.11.25 - 04.01.26

    A candlelit festive exhibition at The Sherborne.
    This winter, The Sherborne invites visitors into a uniquely magical experience: an intimate, candlelit display of Sir Quentin Blake’s original illustrations for Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol—exhibited in the very building where Dickens himself delivered a celebrated public reading of the story in 1854.

    Plan your visit
  • A sketch of a person with a hat, walking outdoors with an umbrella, surrounded by colorful butterflies and grasses.

    Quentin Blake: Our Friends in the Country

    EXHIBITION

    27.09.25 - 04.01.26

    Our Friends in the Country brings Quentin Blake’s characters into rural settings, full of playful narratives and gentle companionship.

    The series reflects Blake’s fascination with unlikely companions in tender, whimsical encounters, celebrating freedom, friendship, and quiet wonder. 

    Plan your visit
  • Poster for Screye Live music event featuring a black streetlamp on a yellow background with vintage style, large black gothic text reading 'Screye,' smaller black text saying 'Live,' and additional details about the event in black and white text.

    Scrooge Live!

    EVENT | MUSIC | CINEMA

    21.12.25 7:00-23:00PM

    Experience the classic 1951 Scrooge like never before—a sophisticated holiday event blending cinematic storytelling with live orchestral performance. 

    Plan Your Visit

Our charitable mission & vision

At The Sherborne, we bring heritage to life. We protect the stories, architecture, and traditions that make this place unique, while championing bold cultural experiences that inspire, challenge, and connect. Every exhibition, performance, and community programme reflects our commitment to honour the past while embracing the present.

We aspire to be a cultural beacon for the South West, where history is a living dialogue, creativity thrives, and community flourishes. As a registered charity, every ticket purchased, donation made, or coffee enjoyed helps safeguard The Sherborne’s heritage and nurture the culture of tomorrow. Join us and be part of a vibrant, inclusive cultural future.

Discover

An open wooden door revealing a carved statue of a woman inside a richly decorated purple and gold room with patterned wallpaper and a decorative carpet.

Heritage alive, art renewed.

Wander through stories of art, architecture, and landscape.
From contemporary exhibitions to the layers of history held in the stone, The Sherborne invites you to discover its evolving character.

  • A classical painting depicting a historical scene with several women and men, one of whom is holding a scroll, and a dog at the front.

    Art & Heritage

    Where historic craft meets contemporary vision, revealing stories held within stone and brushstroke.
    Every detail — from sculpted arch to modern installation — invites reflection on how the past continues to shape the present.


    The Sherborne’s heritage is not static; it evolves through art, dialogue, and the people who pass through.

    Plan your visit
  • A building with a distinctive curved copper roof and large glass windows, surrounded by other traditional buildings and a landscaped garden in the foreground.

    Gardens & Grounds

    Terraces, lawns, and sculpture walks invite quiet reflection and unexpected encounters with art and nature.
    Here, formal lines soften into wild corners, and each season transforms the landscape into a living gallery.


    Take time to wander, pause, and breathe in the calm beauty that surrounds the building.

    Plan your visit
  • A watercolor sketch of a woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat and flowing dress, holding a cane, with a small hedgehog nearby and a cat or similar animal in the background.

    Exhibitions

    Rotating displays bring new perspectives and playful imagination to The Sherborne’s timeless spaces.
    From local artists to national names, each exhibition reimagines the relationship between art, place, and community.


    Light, texture, and storytelling combine to create an ever-changing experience for returning visitors.

    Plan your visit

Connect

A place to come together — over food, creativity, and shared experience.
Our café and gatherings celebrate community, seasonality, and a sense of belonging.

Be part of something lasting.

A classical painting depicting a woman kneeling and offering a gift to a standing woman, surrounded by other women and soldiers in armor, set outdoors with trees in the background.
  • Two women are engaged in conversation indoors. The woman on the right has white hair, glasses, and is wearing a black and white patterned shirt with a large pink beaded necklace. The woman on the left has brown hair with a clip, glasses, and is wearing a colorful striped shirt with words like 'flower', 'sunflower', 'spring' written on it. There are framed pictures and a decorative hanging with white shapes in the background.

    Volunteer

    Be part of The Sherborne story.
    Join our warm volunteer community and help bring art, heritage, gardens, and ideas to life.
    Here, everyone is invited to take part — to belong, contribute, and grow.

    Your time makes a difference — and you’ll make friends along the way.

    Find out more
  • A formal dining table set with plates, silverware, wine glasses, water glasses, bottles of wine, and small flower arrangements, in a room with wooden walls and a window allowing natural light.

    Events & Community

    From theatre and talks to gatherings under the stars, our events bring people and ideas together.
    The Sherborne comes alive through performance, conversation, and celebration — a meeting point for art and life.

    Here, sound travels and stories linger — voices rising, music drifting through stone and glass, ideas echoing long after the final applause.

    Find out more
  • People in a restaurant or event space clapping, smiling, and enjoying a celebration or reception, with some people seated at tables and others standing near a bar area with glasses hanging overhead.

    Support Us

    Help history sing into the future.
    By supporting The Sherborne, you sustain a space where culture grows, new work emerges, and music and laughter echo through centuries-old walls.

    Donate today - every gift keeps this place alive with possibility.

    Find out more
A plate with a burger topped with barbecue sauce and bacon, alongside a side of fries and a small serving of coleslaw, with a glass of beer in the background.

Real food, made beautifully.

Gather, Taste, Enjoy

A fresh, seasonal menu celebrating Dorset’s fields, gardens, hedgerows and coast.
From vibrant daytime plates and hand-baked treats to refined evening dishes and elegant pours — every element is chosen with care, cooked simply, and served with warmth.

Light Lunches at The Sherborne

Our light lunch menu will bring The Sherborne’s signature care and craft to every bite. From golden, cheesy croques to seasonal, plant-powered creations, each dish is designed to delight, comfort, and satisfy. Coming soon, these freshly prepared lunches will be the perfect accompaniment to a morning visit, a wander through the galleries, or a pause in the gardens.

Explore

Outdoor community event or performance with a crowd of people seated facing a stage where performers dressed in blue and white are entertaining. The setting is a sunny day in a garden or park area with buildings and trees in the background.

Find your own way through The Sherborne.
Host a celebration, a performance, or a meeting in one of our flexible spaces, surrounded by art and nature.

Let curiosity lead the way.

  • Group of people at an indoor social gathering near a bar, some engaged in conversations, in a modern space with wooden accents and large windows.

    What's On

    A living calendar of exhibitions, workshops, and cultural moments to inspire and delight.
    From morning markets to evening recitals, The Sherborne offers something for every pace and mood.

    Come to discover, to connect, or simply to be part of the story as it unfolds.

    Find out more
  • A group of children gathered around a curator explaining a large 3D map in an art gallery or museum, with paintings on the walls and wooden beams on the ceiling.

    Workshops & Classes

    Hands-on experiences that invite you to make, learn, and discover something new.
    Led by artists, makers, and thinkers, our workshops encourage creativity in its many forms.


    Each one leaves space for curiosity, conversation, and the simple joy of making.

    Find out more
  • Group of children and a woman in an art classroom holding up prints and artwork, with tables, chairs, and art supplies around.

    Family & Community Programmes

    Creativity, connection, togetherness.
    Stories, art, play, and discovery for families, schools, and curious minds of all ages.


    Where imaginations spark, friendships form, and children learn to feel at home in culture.

    Find out more

  • Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm
    Sunday & Bank Holidays: 10am – 4pm

    Join us for coffee from 10am, and explore our exhibition galleries from 10:30am.
    Please note: last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

  • At The Sherborne, we’re committed to making every visit welcoming and accessible. Our galleries, café, and facilities are fully wheelchair accessible, with step-free entry throughout the site. We offer designated disabled parking, accessible toilets, and comfortable seating areas, and assistance dogs are warmly welcomed.

    If you have specific access needs or would like support planning your visit, please contact our team in advance — we’re always happy to help make your experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

  • Families are very welcome at The Sherborne. Our gardens, café, and galleries are designed to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages, and we regularly host exhibitions and events that spark curiosity and creativity in young minds. Baby-changing facilities are available, and our team is always happy to assist with any additional needs.

Plan your visit