Attractions and Places To See around Haydon - Top 20

Sherborne Castle & Gardens, often called the "New Castle," was built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 after he decided the neighboring 12th-century ruins were a bit too "medieval chic" for his tastes. Today, it remains the private home of the Wingfield Digby family but is open to those who want to see how the other half lived during the Tudor and Georgian eras. ​The Castle Interior ​The house is a grand H-shaped mansion that has managed to hoard four centuries of high-end decor. It’s essentially a very large, very expensive time capsule. ​The State Rooms: Features a blend of Tudor architecture and 18th-century "upgrades," including ornate white marble fireplaces and Georgian sash windows. ​Art & Porcelain: The walls are lined with nationally important collections of fine art and furniture that make a modern IKEA catalog look deeply upsetting. ​The Family Museum: Located in the cellars, this museum covers the castle’s "Great Stories," including Raleigh’s local legacy and the 1753 transformation of the grounds.

Sherborne is so fancy it has "spare" castles. Sherborne Old Castle started as a 12th-century fortified palace for a bishop who clearly valued "defense" over "patience." Fast forward to 1592, and Sir Walter Raleigh moves in. He tried to modernize the drafty ruins but eventually gave up, presumably after realizing medieval plumbing is just a hole in a wall. ​He built Sherborne New Castle nearby—a chic Elizabethan mansion. During the Civil War, Parliament got annoyed and "slighted" (read: blew up) the Old Castle. Now, the ruins serve as a romantic backdrop for the New Castle’s "Capability" Brown gardens.

The Pageant Gardens bandstand is the spiritual home of "aggressively pleasant" afternoons. Built to commemorate the 1905 Sherborne Pageant—a massive theatrical flex involving 900 locals in tights—this octagonal masterpiece is where brass bands go to battle the sound of falling leaves. ​It’s the ultimate Victorian stage for looking dignified while holding a tuba. Surrounded by pristine lawns and flowerbeds that would make a perfectionist weep, the bandstand serves as a reminder that nothing says "British Summer" like listening to The Liberty Bell while your ice cream melts at a record-breaking 18^\circ\text{C}. Pure, unadulterated whimsy.

Originally a Saxon cathedral, Sherborne Abbey is a golden-stoned masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Its claim to fame is the fan vaulting—arguably the earliest and most spectacular in England—which spreads across the ceiling like delicate stone lace. ​The Abbey has survived fires (started by a bickering abbot and townspeople in 1437), the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the test of time. Inside, you’ll find the tombs of West Saxon kings and the stunning Great West Window. It remains a living "lantern" of Dorset, glowing with honey-colored Hamstone and a quiet, ancient majesty that defines the town.

I always make time to pop in on my walks in this area as it is wonderfully calming and peaceful. I like to just sit and marvel at the talent of the architecture.

Between Over Coombe and Higher Clatcombe there are beautiful views of Ambrose Hill and Patson Hill along the route. Picturesque scenery of the Dorset countryside is in abundance.

For many, known as the ‘Cathedral of Dorset’ Founded by St. Aldhelm in AD 705, Sherborne Abbey has developed from a Saxon cathedral to one of England’s most beautiful parish churches. The abbey is a Grade I listed building. It has several distinct architectural styles throughout and well worth a visit.

Once the former home of Sir Walter Raleigh, Sherborne "New" Castle is an ideal place to visit while on a hike around Sherborne. The mansion dates back to the 16th century, while Sherborne Old Castle dates back to the 12th century. Open every day, the Castle and gardens also hold events throughout the year. https://www.sherbornecastle.com/