Sherborne Christmas Penny Dole

Where: Sherborne, Dorset at the Castle Estate Yard on New Road (along New Road towards the town from the Castle visitor entrance, near the bridge)
When: Christmas Day
Time: 9 am

 

Sherborne Castle in Dorset has been the home of the Digby family for centuries, and they continue an ancient and little known custom each Christmas Day. Family members distribute coins in the Estate Yard, though nowadays the amount has risen with inflation and the donated packs include a  50p and chocolate coins with a special Christmas card, rather than the eponymous penny. Children of all ages are given chocolate coins!

Helpful Hints

The dole takes place in the Estate Yard not at the castle (the Yard is situated between the Castle main entrance and the bridge on New Road) and the gates are opened at 9 am sharp. Don’t expect a huge crowd, rather a trickle of mainly local residents, and it’s all over fairly quickly.

Click here for the Castle Facebook page (where you’ll find a few photos of previous doles if you scroll back) : https://www.facebook.com/sherbornecastle/

and website: http://www.sherbornecastle.com

View this location on the map.