Tips
MCW73
May 28, 2026
Hiking
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.
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.
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Nearby routes
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Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Details
Informations
Distance 74 m
Uphill 0 m
Downhill 0 m
Weather
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Wednesday 15 July
30°C
15°C
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Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h