Top 3 Castles around Henstridge

Welcome to Old Sherborne Castle in Dorset—or what’s left of it! Built in the 12th century by Bishop Roger of Salisbury, it was less of a humble church retreat and more of a flashy, heavily armored "fortified palace" to show off his immense wealth. Centuries later, the famous explorer Sir Walter Raleigh rode past, instantly fell in love with it, and leased it in 1592. Legend says he was so utterly distracted by its beauty that he actually fell right off his horse. Raleigh tried to modernise the place, gave up, and just built a nicer mansion nearby instead. During the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell turned up, testily dubbed the stubborn Royalist stronghold "malicious and mischievous," and thoroughly blasted it to pieces after an 11-day siege. Today, it’s a beautifully romantic, broken-down ruin perfect for a peaceful picnic—assuming Cromwell doesn't show up to ruin the vibe again!

Welcome to Sherborne Castle, Dorset’s ultimate architectural plot twist! In 1592, Sir Walter Raleigh fell so madly in love with the 12th-century "Old Castle" that Queen Elizabeth I snagged it for him. But instead of renovating, Raleigh built a fancy new pad nearby. Legend says a terrified servant saw Raleigh smoking tobacco there, assumed he was combusting, and doused him with a glass of ale! Later, Oliver Cromwell blew up the old castle, and Capability Brown added a massive lake. Today, the same family has lived there for 400 years, presumably avoiding smoking inside.

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.

Sturminster Newton 'Castle' is the ruinous remains of a 14th-century medieval manor house constructed within the earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort. Originally belonging to Glastonbury Abbey, it was later granted to Katherine Parr by Henry VIII. The remains, which are on private land, are a Grade II* listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Compton Pauncefoot, is an idyllic village and within its borders there are some very interesting places to explore. Compton Castle, was built for John Hubert Hunt about 1825, in a Gothic style with large grounds, gatehouse, and lawns stretching down to a lake. The village church was said to be built in the 15th century.

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/

Under the care of English Heritage, Sherborne Old Castle is so-named because a newer castle was built next to it. This 12th-century fort is absolutely stunning and well worth visiting. The castle was home to Sir Walter Raleigh and enjoys fantastic views over the surrounding area.