Sherborne Abbey

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Overview

The huge square tower of the abbey church, founded originally in AD 705 by St Aldhelm, looms over the town. It grew in importance as part of a Benedictine abbey, and was the scene of a long struggle between the monks and the townspeople, who were initially relegated to worship in the inferior All Hallows church constructed for them at one end. The dispute ended at the Reformation, when the church was pulled down and the town took full possession of the abbey church. Today you can admire its sawtooth Norman entrance and outstanding fan-vaulted interior. Look out for the carved medieval misericords in the choir, and the modern glass by John Hayward (the west window) and Laurence Whistler (the reredos in the Lady Chapel). Tudor poet Thomas Wyatt (1503–42), linked romantically to Anne Boleyn before her marriage and credited with introducing the sonnet to English poetry, is buried here.

Features

Opening Times
Open all year
Opening Times: Open all year, daily; 8–6 during BST, 8–4 in winter

Facilities
Parking nearby

Location

Abbey Close, SHERBORNE, DT9 3LQ

About the area

Dorset is made up of rugged coastlines, high chalk downlands and a chain of picturesque villages and seaside towns that make up Britain’s Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, noted for its layers of shale and numerous fossils embedded in the rock. Hidden gems of Dorset can be found down winding, country lanes that lead to snug villages hidden from view.

Area image

Sherborne Dorset Things To Do in Dorset

Sherborne Abbey

Abbey Close, SHERBORNE, DT9 3LQ

01935 812452

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Sherborne Abbey

Recommended by

Overview

The huge square tower of the abbey church, founded originally in AD 705 by St Aldhelm, looms over the town. It grew in importance as part of a Benedictine abbey, and was the scene of a long struggle between the monks and the townspeople, who were initially relegated to worship in the inferior All Hallows church constructed for them at one end. The dispute ended at the Reformation, when the church was pulled down and the town took full possession of the abbey church. Today you can admire its sawtooth Norman entrance and outstanding fan-vaulted interior. Look out for the carved medieval misericords in the choir, and the modern glass by John Hayward (the west window) and Laurence Whistler (the reredos in the Lady Chapel). Tudor poet Thomas Wyatt (1503–42), linked romantically to Anne Boleyn before her marriage and credited with introducing the sonnet to English poetry, is buried here.

Features

Opening Times
Open all year
Opening Times: Open all year, daily; 8–6 during BST, 8–4 in winter
Facilities
Parking nearby

Location

Abbey Close, SHERBORNE, DT9 3LQ

About the area

Area image

Dorset is made up of rugged coastlines, high chalk downlands and a chain of picturesque villages and seaside towns that make up Britain’s Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, noted for its layers of shale and numerous fossils embedded in the rock. Hidden gems of Dorset can be found down winding, country lanes that lead to snug villages hidden from view.

Nearby places to stay

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Sherborne Dorset Things To Do in Dorset