Quentin Blake: A Christmas Carol
THIS EXHIBITION IS OPEN UNTIL 04.01.2026
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.
A Candlelit Experience
In a nod to Victorian tradition—and to enhance the magic of Blake’s work—the exhibition can only be viewed by candlelight. Visitors will receive battery-powered candles to explore the darkened galleries, allowing shadows, light and colour to dance across the pages.
This gentle glow creates an immersive atmosphere that deepens the narrative: part theatre, part time travel, part festive enchantment. It is a way of experiencing A Christmas Carol unlike any other.
Historic Echoes: Dickens in Sherborne
The Sherborne holds a remarkable connection to the story. On 21 December 1854, Charles Dickens (1812–1870) visited Sherborne to give an eagerly anticipated reading of A Christmas Carol at the Sherborne Literary and Scientific Institution.
The event was described as “crowded to excess,” with eager listeners pressed into the room for what was only the second public reading Dickens ever gave from the novella. His performance, lasting nearly three hours, was known for its dramatic flair, vivid characterisation and emotional force.
To experience Blake’s illustrations here, 170 years later, is to feel those echoes: story, artistry and place all layered together.
Quentin Blake and the Art of Christmas Storytelling
Sir Quentin Blake, one of Britain’s most beloved artists, created these works in 1995 for a special edition of A Christmas Carol. Reviewers celebrated the artists’ “boundless imaginative energy,” noting Blake’s gift for letting characters leap and dance from the page.
Blake’s interpretation is both respectful of Dickens and full of his signature charm—bringing humour, humanity and a sense of movement to a narrative defined by transformation and hope.
This display offers a rare opportunity to see these original drawings up close.
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A Christmas Carol can be found in the Georgian rooms on the first floor.
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Yes. Our exhibitions are family-friendly unless stated otherwise.
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As our displays are light-sensitive, we kindly ask that any photography is kept to a minimum and taken without flash.
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We provide battery-powered candles to enhance the candlelit ambience, and our volunteers will be nearby to offer support and answer any questions as you wander.
Quentin Blake: Our Friends in the Country
THIS EXHIBITION IS OPEN UNTIL 04.01.2026
Our Friends in the Country brings Blake’s figures into rural settings, endowing them with playful narratives and gentle companionship. While specific visuals may vary, the consistent use of watercolour and pen conjures delicate yet vivacious scenes – where every brushstroke is alive with possibility, seemingly embodying characters who have wandered in from a dream.
This series resonates with Blake’s long-standing fascination with placing unlikely companions in momentous yet tender encounters: from airborne conversations to whimsical birdwatching. These country friends echo his recurring themes of freedom, friendship, and quietly subversive wonder.
Quentin Blake’s illustrations radiate with spontaneity, empathy, and whimsical energy – each stroke revealing a life lived through joyous curiosity. His signature style, full of liveliness and emotional resonance, invites viewers into worlds where imagination reigns supreme. As Blake himself notes, drawing “looks as though it is done on the spur of the moment,” yet even such freewheeling sketches are underpinned by subtle planning and thoughtful intent.
Now in his early 90s, Blake continues to create with unflagging passion – sometimes beginning his day at 4am – and his illustrations remain fresh, accessible, and brimming with warmth.
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Our Friends in the Country can be found in the Georgian rooms on the ground floor.
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Yes. Our exhibitions are family-friendly unless stated otherwise.
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Non-flash photography is welcomed for personal use.
Please avoid touching the artworks or using tripods, lighting equipment or flash.
Past Exhibitions
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Recurring Intricacies
10.05.2025 - 21.09.2025
Helen Sear, Charlotte Hodes and Amanda Benson
Complimenting and celebrating the extraordinary interiors of the newly restored Grade 1 listed Georgian townhouse, The Sherborne, Recurring Intricacies brings together photography, ceramics, papercuts and sculpture made by three female artists: Helen Sear, Charlotte Hodes and Amanda Benson.
Curated by Tim Martin -
BIND
01.03.2025 - 27.04.2025
Members of Dorset Visual Arts Salon Collective present new works that explore the relationships that bind and differentiate their various approaches to making work, with a focus and exploration on colour, drawing and interdisciplinary practice.
Curated by Dorset Visual Arts
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Drawing on Dorset
10.05.2025 - 21.09.2025
The project sought to celebrate a variety of approaches to drawing, presenting observation, recording, and enquiry. It was a collection of individual perspectives bound by the common thread of the county—its character, culture, and contours, expressed and captured through thought and line.
Curated by Dorset Visual Arts