This panoramic image shows the Conduit in Sherborne. This is an odd hexagonal structure originally called the lavatorium and used by monks as a washing place many moons ago. This image was shot fairly late in the afternoon after the market that uses the surrounding space has packed up. There are some lovely old buildings here too. Sherborne itself is a great old town with a relaxed feel. Unfortunately, when I was photographing it the skies closed in some what, but this did provide some subdued lighting for the inside of the Abbey. There is a great cafe, called The Pear Tree, on Half Moon Street just around the corner.

Sherborne - Sherborne visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Sherborne' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Dorset.

Sherborne is market town in Dorset. It is increasingly becoming a tourist destination for those interested in history. Many of the old buildings of Sherborne, like the Conduit shown in this panorama and the Abbey, date from the 15th centuary and are made of local ocre ham sandstone, which has a golden colour.

The Conduit, shown in this panoramic picture, was built within the Abbey cloisters by Abbot John Meere and used to provide monks with water for washing. It moved to this spot from the cloisters in about 1554 so that the local people could benifit from the water supply. In the 19C it was used as a reading room and then a police station. The Conduit is now the focus of the annual Nativity Play and is a significant landmark and attraction within the town. It was given to the town by Sherborne School in 1933 and is a classified as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Sherborne is about 20 miles north of Dorchester on the A352, and 5 miles east of Yeovil on the A30.