Sherborne Castle is in fact a 16th-century Tudor mansion and not really a castle - that's Sherborne 'Old' Castle.
The house was built for Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 and was named 'Sherborne Lodge' at the time.
It only became known as Sherborne castle in 1645 during the English Civil War after General Fairfax of the Parliamentarians had reduced the existing castle to a ruin
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View across the town centre of Blandford Forum. The building in the centre is the Corn Exchange, which is now the Town Hall.
This is one of the town's finest buildings after the reconstruction post the 'Great Fire' of 1731
A closer look at the church tower in Sturminster Newton.
The church was rebuilt in the 15th century by the abbots of Glastonbury although much of what you see today is 19th century
The Conduit at the bottom of Sherborne's South Street
The hexagonal 16th-century structure originally stood in the north cloisters of the abbey, where it was used for washing by the monks.
It was moved to this site after Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539
At over 750 feet above sea level, Shaftesbury is one of the highest towns in England. It was known as 'Caer Palladur' in Celtic times. The Saxons built a hilltop settlement here, because of the commanding position overlooking the surrounding area, and in the 9th century King Alfred turned Shaftsbury into a defended town, following his defeat of the Vikings. He also founded an Abbey here, for his daughter, Aethelgiva. This led to the later prosperity of the town.
The newest window in Sherborne Abbey, installed in 1987 to replace the original which was in a state of disrepair.
The new stained glass depicts the Patron and the baby Jesus, the Biblical Magi and the Shepherds, the Genesis story, the fall of man and the Easter story
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A closer look at St Mary's Church in Gillingham.
The church here was largely rebuilt in the mid 19th century under the instruction of the the then vicar Henry Deane
Sturminster Newton old market square. The steps in the foreground are the remains of the old market cross.
In the background is the White Hart Inn, the town's oldest pub
A medieval view down Long Street towards the Conduit with Sherborne Abbey towering behind.
The Conduit was originally within the abbey grounds and was used as a wash place by the monks.
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, the abbey became crown property and the Conduit was moved here
Sherborne has much to offer visitors and is one of the most beautiful towns in England. Situated on the Dorset and Somerset border it has excellent transport links making it a great centre from which to explore the Wessex area of Dorset and the neighbouring counties of Somerset and Wiltshire. The town has an attractive shopping centre with a large selection of individual shops, including craft shops and boutiques.
The olde worlde Church Lane in the centre of Sherborne. The lane runs between South Street and the abbey.
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View of Gillingham's church of St Mary the Virgin from a side street.
Looking up Sturminster Newton's main street - Market Cross. The White Hart Inn is one of the town's oldest surviving pubs dating back to the 18th century
View down Long Street towards the abbey in the early evening sun
Stalbridge stands in the Blackmore Vale, close to the Somerset border, and is Dorset’s smallest town. The long main street runs from the church to the 15th century market cross, which is the finest in Dorset and reputedly the best in England. It is made from the local yellow Ham stone and stands 30 feet high with some interesting relief carving. The cross head has a carving of the crucifixion but is a modern copy of the head, replacing one that fell off in 1950.