Sherborne Cottages with Hot Tubs

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Sherborne Guide

Sherborne's cottages with hot tubs offer a perfect Dorset getaway, combining historical surroundings with modern comforts. This small market town packs in two castles, an Abbey dating to AD 705 and independent shops along Cheap Street.

TripAdvisor's top attractions include Sherborne Abbey (4.5/5), Sherborne Castle (4.5/5) and the 12th-century ruins of Sherborne Old Castle (4/5). The town has literary connections too - Thomas Hardy featured Sherborne as "Sherton Abbas" in his Wessex novels.

Cottage stays here range from snug one-bedroom conversions to large group properties sleeping 10+. Many feature original beams, stone walls and wood-burning stoves alongside those all-important hot tubs for evening relaxation.

Self-catering gives you freedom to explore at your own pace, cook with local produce from the Thursday and Saturday markets and enjoy complete privacy - especially welcome when you're soaking in your hot tub under Dorset's dark skies.

Get More From Your Sherborne Hot Tub Cottage Break

Sightseeing

Sherborne sits in north-west Dorset surrounded by rolling countryside. The town centre is compact and walkable, making it perfect for exploring without a car. Start at Sherborne Abbey (Church Lane, DT9 3LQ), open daily 8:30am-6pm. This magnificent building has evolved from Saxon cathedral to Benedictine monastery to parish church, with fan vaulting that rivals Westminster Abbey.

Sherborne has two castles. Sherborne Castle (New Road, DT9 5NR, open April-October, Sunday-Thursday, 11am-5pm) is a Tudor mansion built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594. It gets 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor for its Capability Brown gardens and lake. The ruins of Sherborne Old Castle (DT9 5JA, open April-October, 10am-5pm) sit just across the field - English Heritage members get in free.

Don't miss Cheap Street with its central water channel (a leat) running down the middle. The street has independent shops, cafes and the 15th century Conduit. The Eastbury Hotel's walled garden (Long Street, DT9 3BY) is worth visiting even if you're not staying there - their Victorian Garden Potting Shed restaurant gets 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor.

Pet Friendly

Many Sherborne cottages welcome dogs, with enclosed gardens where they can run safely while you enjoy your hot tub. The town is brilliant for dog owners, with plenty of walking routes directly from your door.

The Quarr Local Nature Reserve (DT9 4LA) offers woodland paths and open spaces perfect for dog walks. Pageant Gardens in the town centre allows dogs on leads, giving you somewhere to stop while shopping.

For eating out, The Eastbury Hotel's Seasons Restaurant (DT9 3BY) welcomes dogs in their conservatory area. The Half Moon pub (Half Moon Street, DT9 3LN) is properly dog-friendly with water bowls and treats available. If you're heading further afield, Sherborne Forest Garden Centre (DT9 5QN) has a cafe where dogs are welcome both inside and out.

I recommend bringing towels specifically for your dog - especially if you're planning countryside walks. The local pet shop, Pets Corner (Cheap Street, DT9 3BJ), stocks emergency supplies if needed.

Top 3 attractions you have to see in Sherborne

Sherborne Abbey (Church Lane, DT9 3LQ) stands at the heart of the town and shouldn't be missed. The building spans over 1,300 years of history with stunning architecture throughout. The fan vaulting in the ceiling dates from 1490 and will make your jaw drop. Look out for the tomb of King Ethelbald and the mechanical clock from 1670. They offer guided tours on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11am (£5 donation suggested) which visitors rate as "fascinating" and "brought the history alive."

Sherborne Castle (New Road, DT9 5NR) offers a perfect day out combining history, art and gardens. Sir Walter Raleigh's former home contains collections of furniture, porcelain and paintings accumulated over 400 years. The lake and gardens designed by Capability Brown are perfect for a post-lunch stroll. One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: "We spent three hours here and could have stayed longer. The audio guide is excellent and included in the ticket price."

The Sherborne Museum (Church Lane, DT9 3BP, open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-4:30pm) gives you the full story of the town's history. It's small but packed with exhibits from Roman times to the present day. Their collection of fossils found locally is particularly good. Admission is just £3 for adults and visitors consistently praise the knowledgeable volunteers. After visiting, you'll appreciate your hot tub cottage even more when you realise how basic the plumbing was in medieval Sherborne!

Is Sherborne good for shopping?

Yes! Sherborne punches above its weight for shopping. Cheap Street has independent shops including Winstone's bookshop, Melbury Gallery for art and several boutiques. The Cheap Street Bakery and Oxfords bakery both sell excellent bread and cakes. There's a small market on Thursdays and Saturdays in the Conduit area.

What's the best time to visit Sherborne?

May is lovely when the gardens at Sherborne Castle are in full bloom. The Sherborne Literary Festival happens in October. Summer brings the Pack Monday Fair (October) and Sherborne Castle Country Fair (May Bank Holiday). Winter can be magical too - fewer tourists and your hot tub feels even better in cold weather!

Where can I eat in Sherborne?

The Green (The Green, DT9 3HX) serves excellent modern British food using local ingredients. The Plume of Feathers (Half Moon Street, DT9 3LN) is a good pub option with a beer garden. For coffee and cake, try Oliver's Coffee House (Cheap Street, DT9 3BU). Book ahead for dinner at weekends as places fill up quickly.

Can I get to Sherborne without a car?

Yes, Sherborne has a railway station with direct services from London Waterloo (just over 2 hours) and Exeter. The station is a 10-minute walk from the town centre. Once in Sherborne, most attractions are walkable. Taxis are available for trips to surrounding villages.

What's near Sherborne worth visiting?

Stourhead Gardens (National Trust) is 30 minutes' drive away. The Jurassic Coast is about 45 minutes south. Haynes Motor Museum is 15 minutes away in Sparkford. The historic town of Shaftesbury with its famous Gold Hill (from the Hovis advert) is 30 minutes north.

Are there good walks near Sherborne?

Absolutely! Try the 2-mile circular walk between the two castles. The Macmillan Way and Monarchs Way long-distance paths pass through Sherborne. The tourist information centre in Digby Road has free walking maps. After a day's walking, your cottage hot tub will feel even better!