Sherborne has earned glowing praise from a national newspaper writer, who was told it is ‘a civilised place for civilised people.’
Orlando Bird, letters editor at Conservative-leaning The Telegraph, decided to visit Sherborne as despite having a population of around 10,000, its residents are one of the most prolific sources of correspondence to the national title – rivalling even Tunbridge Wells.
On arrival, he wrote that he found it easy to see why Sherborne might both ‘attract people with Telegraph sensibilities, or indeed cultivate them.’
“It’s a civilised place for civilised people,” one resident, Oscar Blend, told him as they queued for coffee in Oliver’s café – a verdict Bird said was hard to dispute after a weekend in town.
He described Sherborne as far from ‘sleepy’, saying it ‘bustles’ with life and character despite its modest size. He observed a lively and distinctly English scene walking down shop-filled Cheap Street.
He noted peoples’ interactions, including ‘a man in a Panama hat’ asking his wife if she wanted a ‘glass of cider’ as midday struck, while nearby dog owners compared notes.
The writer also highlighted Sherborne’s deep history as central to its appeal, with roots stretching back more than 1,300 years.
Its high praise in the national spotlight comes the year after the town was voted the best place to live in Dorset by online culture magazine Muddy Stilettos.
Bird noted that Sherborne has a long-standing reputation as a centre of education, with private school alumni ranging from Alan Turing to Jeremy Irons.
He write that he found a thriving present-day high street packed with independent businesses, from the long-running Oxford’s Bakery – still using equipment from the 1920s – to a ‘staggering number’ of antique shops.
Locals told him Sherborne has ‘more than its fair share of retired military folk’, and joked that newcomers might integrate faster if they ‘play bridge or join the Abbey congregation’.
At the Digby Tap pub, he was impressed that two pints came to £10.
Yet Bird found the town is also ‘slowly evolving’, attracting younger residents and new businesses without losing its identity.
He was also struck by Sherborne’s growing appeal as a destination, helped by its direct rail link to London in around two hours.
Despite rising house prices – with average homes around £400,000 – there were signs younger generations are returning.
“My children have come back,” one resident said. “I don’t think they want to leave.”
By the end of the visit, Bird admitted he felt much the same.
“I wasn’t exactly itching to head off either,” he wrote.
Steve Shield, town clerk at Sherborne Town Council said the town ‘is lucky to have had some lovely articles written about Sherborne recently’ as well as being voted best place to live in Dorset.
He added: “Our arts and cultural space The Sherborne won the Muddy Stilettos award for Best Arts, Culture and Theatre and clothes shop Cleverly Wrapped for Best Fashion & Interiors.
“We have entered the UK Town of Culture 2028 as our rich cultural history fits in well with the national picture and plan to enter the Dorset Town of Culture 2027- our small town has a lot to offer both residents and visitors alike.”
by Joanna O’Donnell – Dorset Echo
A link to the full Telegraph article is below (available to Telegraph subscribers):