By
Rebecca Gibson |
International cruise passengers calling at Portland Port have contributed to a 33% increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting Sherborne in Dorset, UK, according to the Sherborne Tourism Information Centre (TIC).
Located 30 miles from Portland Cruise Terminal in the northern part of West Dorset, Sherborne is often included in half-day and full-day excursions.
Cruise visitors are able to head to attractions such as the 16th-century castle built by Sir Walter Raleigh, the Almshouse, the abbey with its famous fan-vaulted roof, Castleton's Steam and Waterwheel Centre, the museum, various markets, cafés and restaurants, and shops. They can also enjoy free lunchtime concerts, and at certain times of the year, festivals, fairs and firework displays.
Sherborne TIC attributes growth in group travel visitors partly to the celebrations surrounding the 300th anniversary of Britain's most famous landscape gardener, Capability Brown, who played a major role in designing the grounds at Sherborne ‘New’ Castle.
This year, European Cruise Service UK has also added Sherborne to its itineraries list for cruise passengers, taking 15 coaches of German cruise passengers to the town this summer.
“Since we added the beautiful market town of Sherborne with its historic abbey and two castles to our list of itineraries for our cruise guests we have seen an increase in the numbers of people who want to experience this cinematically favoured town for themselves,” said Rick Drake, shore excursion manager at European Cruise Service UK.