Sherborne and Dorchester

[smallhobbit]

We spent the second day of our break in Sherborne.

The gateway which leads through to the Abbey



Sherborne Abbey exterior.  The first building was in the eighth century, it has been enlarged and updated ever since.

 

The Digby memorial (George Digby paid for a lot of the Abbey restorations in the nineteenth century)

  

Inside the abbey has an impressive vaulted roof:



And some beautiful stained glass (it wouldn't be me if there weren't photos of stained glass)

 

We also visited Sherborne Old Castle (There is a new castle as well, but it only dates from the sixteenth century and isn't really a castle at all)



The old castle dates from the twelfth century, and is a good example of the old music hall song 'I'm one of the ruins that Cromwell knocked about a bit'

 

 

We also visited the municipal gardens, but I failed to take any photos.

The following day we spent a few hours in Dorchester, before returning home.  Dorchester is famous for being the Casterbridge in Thomas Hardy's novel, and Hardy died in Dorchester in 1928.



We spent some time in the gardens, and admired the clock tower and bandstand which now look as much as they would have done when the gardens were first opened in 1896.

 

There were some very pretty flower borders as well:



 

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Great photos. Looks like there was a lot to see.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, we found lots to do just by wandering round.

[scfrankles]

The old castle dates from the twelfth century, and is a good example of the old music hall song 'I'm one of the ruins that Cromwell knocked about a bit' That made me laugh ^____^

That clock tower is absolutely lovely. And I love the vaulted roof of Sherborne Abbey too - it's such a fascinating pattern.

[smallhobbit]

I understand the vaulted roof is very famous, which is hardly surprising. I think it's good that the clock tower has been restored - it's so cheerful now.

[rusty_armour]

Oooooh! I love your photos and the accompanying history! :-D Both Sherborne and Dorchester have some wonderful architecture and history behind them. The vaulted roof of Sherborne Abbey is incredible, and the Abbey has some gorgeous stained glass windows. Sherborne Old Castle does look like it's been knocked about a bit, but that just adds to its allure as far as I'm concerned. You got some great pictures of that clock tower and bandstand in Dorchester.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. I'm delighted you like all the pictures :)

[adafrog]

Great pics. Thanks.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you :)

[margaret_r]

Great photos! I do like the abbey roof and the castle, so much history to look at and enjoy.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, it was good to get to look round.

[moth2fic]

Despite a week's holiday in Dorset last August I failed to visit either of these so thanks for the virtual tour! I vaguely recall visiting both with my mother in my late teens but have no photographs.

[smallhobbit]

I'm pleased you liked the virtual tour - there's always so many places to visit if you want to take your time looking round, that there's bound to those you don't see.

[debriswoman]

More places I need to visit, though I have been to Dorchester:-)

[smallhobbit]

Sherborne is well worth visiting - there's plenty to see - and a great ice cream place!

[kat_lair]

Enjoyed your local photo tours muchly, thank you for sharing!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. I'm delighted you liked them :)