Monument record MDO2376 - Sherborne Abbey precinct wall, Sherborne

The line of the monastic precinct boundary of Sherborne Abbey is unknown. However a number of archaeological excavations and observations around the abbey have lead to a partial understanding of the possible route. The only certainty appears to be the position of the Abbey Gateway between the market place and St Mary's Church.

ST 63761660. Excavations at 60, Cheap Street located five boundaries. Two aligned north-south have been identified as the Abbey Precinct wall, as suggested by the angle of the Abbey gateway on a line and two from east-west: that of the `Lan' and that of the R-B boundary to which it was closely related. A reave interpreted to be crossing the site was located. (2)

The line of the monastic precinct boundary of Sherborne Abbey is unknown. However a number of archaeological excavations and observations around the abbey have lead to a partial understanding of the possible route. The only certainty appears to be the position of the Abbey Gateway between the market place and St. Mary's Church.

C.E. Bean observed the excavation of a water main trench outside the main School entrance in Abbey Road at some time prior to 1955. Some wall footings were observed in this trench which may be connected with the north entrance to the Abbey. If this were the case there may also have been an outer precinct to the north. (1)

C.E. Bean conducted observations during demolitions and alterations at the rear of the Vicarage, Abbey Close, Sherborne in 1954-5.
Undisturbed gravel was recorded near the surface which suggests that the ground may have been lowered c. 1878 in order to build the vicarage level with the roadway. Any remains of the abbey may have been destroyed at this time. Nevertheless, from the trend of existing levels and boundaries, Mr. Bean considers that ‘…the west precinct wall of the Abbey ran at the back of the Vicarage, and of Messrs. Bartlett office garden, and under a raised path running northwards on the east side of the School’s swimming-baths.’ (1)

C.E. Bean excavated a small evaluation trench during 1954-5 in the back garden of a property on the west side of Cheap Street. A N-S wall [E] was recorded, about 17 feet from the back wall of School House, it was thought that this might represent one of the monastery’s open drains. A further wall [F] was seen east of [E], in the centre of the back garden, running E-W, although it could not be further examined. Foundation [G], 100 feet west of cheap Street and 83 feet east of School House, is followed by property boundaries on the OS 1:500 map both to the north and south so as to meet the Abbey gate on Church Avenue. It may be then that the Cheap Street plots back on to the Abbey walls (1).

Katherine Barker conducted a small excavation to the rear of 60 Cheap Street during 1976-7. One particular linear feature (D) appeared to be on a line with the Abbey Gateway to the south. (2)

<1> Bean, C E, 1955, Remains of the monastery at Sherborne; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, p.143-4 (Article in serial). SDO10310.

<2> Barker, K, 1977, The origins of Sherborne: a preliminary report; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 127-8 (Article in serial). SDO10321.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 887605 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 23 2024 1:09PM