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Sherborne Old Castle is a Norman castle founded in the early twelfth century, with construction beginning around 1107 under Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury. The castle comprises a substantial keep set within a polygonal curtain wall, representing a significant example of early Norman military architecture in Dorset. The site was substantially damaged during the English Civil War when it was besieged and partially dismantled, though substantial ruins of the keep and defensive walls remain visible today. The castle served as an important baronial stronghold and was later briefly held by Sir Walter Raleigh in the late sixteenth century before passing to the Digby family, whose seat at nearby Sherborne School eventually replaced it as the principal residence.
Sherborne Old Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1015328. View the official record →
Sherborne Old Castle is a Norman castle founded in the early twelfth century, with construction beginning around 1107 under Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1015328.
Sherborne Old Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1015328.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Roman site by Pinford Lane (0.5 km), The Conduit Cross (1 km), Sherborne Abbey, remains of (1.1 km).
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Research the area around Sherborne Old Castle