St Johns’ House stands at the entrance to Sherborne Abbey Close, set within the courtyard and gardens of the original Almshouse.
Group Visits
While the residential side of the Almshouse is partially closed, as we adjust to the post pandemic world, we are currently open for group visits by prior arrangement.
Your group will learn all about the fascinating history of St Johns’ and will be shown the Medieval chapel . We ask that visitors provide a donation for their visit. To book your visit, please contact us on 01935 813245 or email steward@stjohnshouse.org
Local area
Cheap Street, which is at the heart of Sherborne, features independent shops and businesses selling everything from a bar of soap to a country mansion! There are many tea rooms, coffee shops, a library, churches and galleries, and the town is also proud of its seasonal floral displays. Beyond the town, in the beautiful county of Dorset, you will discover stunning countryside, heritage Jurassic coast and unique architecture,
Sherborne is a well-loved town with a warm community spirit.
Experts view our 15th century artwork to find out more about it
Top london experts are appraising our three-panelled piece of altar artwork known as a triptych (February 2025). The artwork was removed from our Chapel for safekeeping when work started on converting the adjoining space into a tearoom. Richard Hunt, our Chair of the...
FIRST NEW ALMSHOUSE ACCOMMODATION OCCUPIED
A few months ago, the laundry room at Sherborne’s St Johns’ Almshouse housed washing machines, clothes airers and washing powder. Now it has been transformed to provide a cosy kitchen diner as the first step in a project that will see part of the Almshouse building...
Windows saved through specialist conservation work
The first phase of a £22,000 project to conserve our Victorian windows at the Almshouse has been completed. The project has seen windows removed for the conservation work to fragile glass and leaded frames. Our Chair of Trustees, Richard Hunt explains: “The...
LOCAL HISTORIANS EXPLORE HIDDEN HISTORY OF ALMSHOUSE ROOF
Sherborne local historians Barry Brock and Tony White recently took ladder and torch to examine the roof of the original almshouse building. Amongst a number of surprises revealed, they discovered that that the roof space was at one point adapted for use as living...
MP SEES ALMSHOUSE PLANS
West Dorset’s new MP, Edward Morello, has visited the almshouse to see for himself plans to re-configure the building. A new collaboration was recently announced revealing that the Almshouse and Abbey would both use the historic building going forward. The Almshouse...
Packed Open Day sees Almshouse plans
Sherborne residents backed proposals for the future of the Almshouse at the recent Open Day when Trustees and Abbey officials were on hand to talk through ambitious plans. A new collaboration had been previously announced revealing that the Almshouse and Abbey would...
Join us for our Open Day
Sherborne residents are invited to learn more about proposals for the future of the town’s Almshouse at an Open Day to be held later this month (September 20, 2024). We will develop space to provide affordable independent living for locals while the Abbey will create...
Looking forward to new future with Sherborne Abbey
Our Almshouse is to be remodelled in an ‘exciting joint new scheme’ involving both the Almshouse and Sherborne Abbey it has been officially announced today (July 29, 2024). The Almshouse will retain space for affordable accommodation while the Abbey will use...