Sherborne Museum is located at the heart of the community in one of the most beautiful towns in Dorset. We aim to tell the story of its rich heritage through our fascinating collections.
Sherborne Museum is located at the heart of the community in one of the most beautiful towns in Dorset. We aim to tell the story of its rich heritage through our fascinating collections.
Reading the Fabric of the Past: Lime, Craft and the Hidden Stories of Sherborne Abbey
What secrets lie within a fragment of lime? At Sherborne Abbey, science and craftsmanship reveal traces of colour, artistry and centuries of care.
Social Life in Sherborne and London: Some Young Women’s Letters, 1724-1727
What can letters reveal about Georgian life? Personal correspondence offers glimpses of friendship, family, society and travel in Sherborne and London.
Brick by Brick: Dorset’s Walled Gardens
Discover the beauty and history of Dorset’s walled gardens, as Phil Broomfield explores their evolution through stunning images and the stories of the people who created and cared for them.
Exhibitions, Talks
& Events
Be intrigued, informed and inspired by our free exhibitions, talks and family-friendly events.
Discover how crucial the River Yeo has been to the development of Sherborne and shaped the lives of those who have lived alongside it. Learn about local mills and the importance of trades such as silk manufacture and willow working.
Turning the Pages
A permanent digital display, produced in collaboration with the British Library, celebrates the Sherborne Missal, the largest and most lavishly decorated English Service book to survive from the Middle Ages.
Learning to See
Mabel Frances Wickham was a much-loved art teacher in Sherborne and member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours. This small exhibition reveals the town, as seen through her eyes, during the mid-twentieth century.
Fairs, Festivals & Markets
One of our main temporary exhibitions revels in the occasions when our community comes together in time-honoured and traditional manner! Learn more about Sherborne's famous medieval street fair, Pack Monday.
Collections
Intangible Heritage
Archives and Library
Art
Industrial and Social History
Textiles
Numismatics
Archaeology
Geology and Natural History
“Just an amazing hidden gem! So many wonderful stories, well told and interpreted. The best thing about Sherborne! Well done, all.”
“Extraordinarily well curated museum. A treasure. Thank you so much for taking such care.”
“It was a pleasure to view the rich and extensive history of Sherborne here. A special town indeed.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, enthusiasm and wonderful jewel of a museum.”
“It was a pleasure to visit this lovely museum.”
“Great exhibitions and great to see how well Sherborne’s history has been preserved. Brilliant work!”
“The Missal display was excellent.”
“A lovely little treasure. Very friendly staff and child friendly too.”
“What a fascinating collection! The whole layered history of Sherborne gathered together.”
“The fossils were very cool!”
“Stunning. I loved the mouse in the dolls’ house.”
“So well curated – really impressive! Thank you.”
“Lovely museum. Remarkable that it’s free of charge. Lots of very interesting exhibits.”
“Fantastic museum. You have used every available space to create a fascinating journey through time.”
“Wonderful museum. Fantastic for the children and well worth a visit”
“Very interesting, diverse collections and friendly volunteers – a lovely way to spend an hour or so.”
“Wonderful collections, well presented and such a great way to celebrate how special Sherborne is!”
Discover Sherborne
Sherborne is a great little market town with a fascinating history. Situated on the River Yeo on the edge of the Blackmore Vale, it is built from the distinctive honey-coloured Ham Hill stone.
