THE team at Sherborne Museum are celebrating after the attraction was nationally recognised as a hidden gem by Visit England.

The museum at Abbey Gatehouse on Church Lane was awarded the Hidden Gem accolade – an award given to a select few attractions across the country that boast exceptional visitor experiences.

The accolade is part of Visit England’s Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS), which Sherborne Museum has been part of since 2016.

The scheme provides a consumer-focused benchmark for quality across key areas such as cleanliness, visitor welcome, interpretation, signage, customer care, and exhibitions.

To be named a Hidden Gem is to go one step further – celebrating those attractions that consistently exceed expectations and offer something truly special to visitors.

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“This award is a real honour for our dedicated team of volunteers, whose passion and commitment bring Sherborne’s rich history to life,” said curator, Elisabeth Bletsoe.

“It’s also wonderful recognition for Sherborne itself – helping to place the town firmly on the map as a cultural and heritage destination.”

Nominations were based on visitor reviews and the observations of the Visit England assessor.

The accolade reflects the museum’s high standards in visitor experience, which runs parallel with its ongoing work within the local community, including education and engagement programmes that make the town’s heritage accessible to all.

With this recognition, Sherborne Museum joins an exclusive group of attractions across England acknowledged for delivering excellence at every level.

Visitors can look forward to discovering inspiring displays, a warm welcome, and stories that capture the heart of Sherborne.

For more information, visit www.sherbornemuseum.com or follow Sherborne Museum on social media.