Earlier Houses: There were probably a number of earlier houses on the site of the current house, including a Medieval manor house.

Built / Designed For: Henry Seymour Portman

House & Family History: Sherborne House is noted for its important murals created by James Thornhill, a Dorset native famous for his work on the inside of the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. The Sherborne murals, which feature the Greek mythological characters Meleager and Atalanta, are similar to murals by Thorhnill at Charborough Park. In 1854 Charles Dickens came to stay at Sherborne as the guest of his friend William Charles Macready. During his visit Dickens gave a reading from “A Christmas Carol” to raise money for the Sherborne Literary and Scientific Institution. Between 1932 and 1992 Sherborne House was home to Lord Digby's School for Girls, operated by Dorset County Council.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: No Park

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: Bishop Roger Le Poore, 13th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Henry Seymour Portman, 1720-28. Francis Seymour, MP, 1728-61. James Toogood, 1799-1816. Edward Digby, 2nd Earl Digby, 1816-56. Samuel Pretor, 1824 -49 (as tenant). William Charles Macready, 1850-61 (as tenant). Robert Willmott, 19th century (as tenant).

Current Ownership Type: Charity / Nonprofit

Primary Current Ownership Use: Mixed Use

Ownership Details: Since 2018 owned by Sherborne House Trust, who plan to develop the house into an arts center and restaurant.

House Open to Public: No

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.sherbornehousedorset.org.uk/

Historic Houses Member: No