The Sanctuary Coffee Shop in West Dorset

Good Second Hand Bookshops are becoming rarer than the books they sell. This one is a gem and worth a pilgrimage, take in a visit to the abbey as well! On the two occasions I visited shelves were stacked floor to ceiling, others were stacked on tables awaiting sorting. A great place to browse and discover an interesting book or two or more. This bookshop is mentioned in my 1992 93 copy of Drif's Guide to the Secondhand Bookshops of the British Isles. You can also take a break from book browsing and enjoy what the small cafe has to offer.

Claire is wonderful lady who is so friendly to everyone, knowing most of the regulars who come to browse in her mammoth book shop by name. The book shop is certainly worth going to but you will be drawn to the quiet coffee shop too to sit and read, meet friends, or just chill. The garden is small but a real suntrap in the summer. Almost opposite Sherborne Abbey it is the perfect place to get away from the main Cheap Street. A small variety of foods including larger meals, snacks and cakes and wonderful coffee, all at a fantastic price.

Little cafe tucked away at the side of the bookshop. Friendly staff and food made freshly upon order. Very pleasant server.

Passing through Sherborne on Tuesday, went to the Abbey then decided a quick lunch would be nice. Saw chalkboard for Sanctuary outside Abbey, went through large and quirky bookshop to find cafe with courtyard garden at the end. Only two customers finishing lunch in the courtyard, hmmm I thought , suspiciously quiet, but as not very busy at least service should be quick. No one behind counter, looked around and a gentleman appeared from the kitchen. Couldn’t see a menu on tables, but there was one on the counter. Ordered a panini and coffee from the unsmiling gentleman and went to the courtyard as the weather was beautiful. Sat in courtyard waiting, the two ladies finished lunch, the gentleman cleared their tables, the bookshop owner came out, had a coffee and a cigarette, went back in... still no sign of food or coffee. I was about to go in and ask and he came out with cutlery and placed it on the table and said did you order a drink or anything else? Yes a coffee I reminded him. No smile or apology, just walked back inside. Coffee followed. Panini then followed shortly afterwards. No complaints with the food, tasty, fresh salad, nice panini and very good value. As I had to wait about 30 minutes for service it gave me plenty of time to look about the courtyard, in parts charming with nice planting, in parts grubby, dirty tables, stained cushions and broken fencing and bins on view. Went inside to pay, gentleman was in kitchen, he could obviously see me but didn’t come straight out, as noted I was the only customer there for the last hour, until I said Hello to get his attention. As it was only about £6.30 I asked if he preferred me to pay with a £20 note or card as I didn’t want to take all his change, to which he replied I don’t really care. I gave him the £20 and he gave me £3.70 change.... to which I replied And the extra £10? Maybe he was distracted and having a bad day but I cannot remember ever being in a cafe where the service was so unwelcoming and resentful. I left and walked around the rest of Sherborne, all other eateries were humming and full of people. No surprise why this one was empty.

This is a coffee shop with decent coffee and a selection of snacks at the back of a bookshop. The books were the main attraction, all kinds of second hand volumes piled high over two floors. It is the type of place that has almost disappeared and it was great to find and to spend a happy hour browsing and drinking coffee.

We visited this combined bookshop and coffee shop after discovering it by chance, just past the abbey. The reads, cakes and drinks are excellent. Visit soon!

Tucked away in the back of a second-hand bookshop, we were directed here otherwise we wouldn't have found it. The café was a bit cold and untidy, although the coffee was good. The weirdest thing was when a local came in for lunch, and the person serving apologised to him that 'someone is sitting in your usual seat'. This didn't make us feel very welcome, and we left soon after so that the regular could have his seat back!

What a fascinating coffee and book shop. There is a wonderful selection of books together with great coffee and a range of cakes and biscuits.

Brilliant food and coffee . with a very friendly staff, IN the Chapter House Books Shop..so more than just a cafe .and very friendly and helpful staff and own..A must visit if you are in sherborne Dorset..

I've reviewed the Sanctuary Coffee Shop and Chapter House books before, so I'll not repeat everything I've said about this perfect combination. But what's prompted this new review is the range of cakes now available and which I've only discovered in the last week. So not only is this a great place to drink good coffee alongside good company whilst browsing through an endless choice of books - but there's also a great choice of cakes as well. And I'll also mention Claire (who runs the Coffee Shop, Book Shop and the AirBnB above it) and congratulate her on the staff she employs - all of whom, with their friendliness and good-humour, help to make this the only place is Sherborne I'll ever go for my coffee and a snack. They're a very, very good team and we're lucky to have them!

We were visiting Sherborne for the first time, it was a cold wet and windy day, every cafe in the high street was full to overflowing, we were about to give up and go back to the car when a little way from the main drag, we chanced upon this little gem, really quirky concept of secondhand books piled up everywhere, and a cafe at the rear which it turned out served the most delicious coffee and cakes. Perfect combination.

Popped in here for a coffee and cake. Selection of homemade cakes. Good coffee. It is certainly different from your normal coffee shops.

Sherborne is full of coffee shops, but in my opinion this one beats the lot. For a start, they use top-quality coffee beans from an established Dorset supplier who I've bought my beans from in the past. But it's not just the coffee and the food. I'm there at least twice a week for the atmosphere as well. Maybe it's to do with being surrounded by more books than you could imagine, but the coffee shop seems to attract the widest cross-section of locals and visitors alike. Some customers sit happily with their noses in a good book; others flick through the daily paper; whilst my preference is for meeting my friends there and catching-up on the latest news and views. It is such a friendly place - staff and customers alike - and a great place both to make friends and meet friends, and in an atmosphere second to none.

The place could do very well, but they do not know how to make coffee - watery/weak. The thing is, at a couple of pounds, coffee is not cheap and is always enjoyed at a special moment, which generally happens once a day. So, it really is not good to make weak coffee. Improve your coffee, and you'll do better.

What a wonderful find for book lovers, those who enjoy a peaceful drink/light refreshments away from the hubub of the town, or who just want to sit with a drink and look at the enormous array of books! PERFECT, and Claire the owner and her staff are so friendly!

Encontrar una "adecuada" es mano tienda seacond una alegría y luego de encontrar también tiene un salón hizo un gran comienzo para vacaciones en Dorset. Estar bebiendo y comiendo torta de té de manzana rodeada por montones de dorset libros es nuestra copa "té" pero puede no ser del gusto de todo el mundo (no saben lo que falta). Solemos pasar tiempo con nuestras cabezas inclinarse hacia un lado, pero el pastel es tan buena, el personal es amable y los precios razonables que volvimos más bizcocho y libros.

Genial de cafés y tés, tartas preciosas, el servicio encantador... un regreso a la edad de la razón, instructivo!

Este lugar podría ser un verdadero tesoro, pero cuatro de nosotros fuimos para el almuerzo y fue memorable por las razones equivocadas. Los precios eran muy razonables, el menú era bastante atractiva, pero el servicio era pésimo. Había otros clientes, pero difícilmente podría ser considerado como ocupado y las opciones ofrecidas no eran exactamente difícil producir o por lo que creo.

This cafe is at the 'rear' of a second hand bookshop. It is small with quite a few tables and they serve very nice homemade cakes - the most enormous slices. I wish it was more comfortable though, the slightly damp smell of second hand books pervade and the chairs are not designed for long term sitting / reading.

I want to keep this place all to myself! The Sanctuary is a hidden gem at the rear of a Harry Potter type bookshop! The coffee is excellent, the cheese scone fresh and tasty. Service spot on with a smile.

We occasionally drive up to Sherborne from the Dorset coast and always enjoy a relaxing wander around the the lovely little market town. Although we usually have a peer into the windows of the bookshop, on this occasion we couldn't resist popping in and, needless to say, ended up with a couple of purchases plus had a a lovely chat with the very friendly lady owner chat. Also, having already read recent reviews of the little coffee shop, we felt it would be most churlish of us, not to treat ourselves to warming cuppas on a cool, damp morning. What a find! It's only small but such a cosy, welcoming spot and we loved it. We were greeted with the loveliest of warm smiles by the two members of staff, nothing was too much trouble and the whole atmosphere was genuinely friendly. A piping hot Americano for hubbie and same for my hot chocolate plus toast and marmalade to die for. Heaven! The cakes and scones looked lovely and there was a small range of simple dishes for lunch. Recommended!

A must to visit. The staff are all friendly,courteous and intelligent. Food fresh and excellent. On a warm sunny day the courtyard is a retreat from the madding crowd.

This out of the way coffee shop is hidden at the back of a bookshop filled to overflowing with fascinating used books. The coffee was pretty good but the real star was the toast and marmalade. Thick doorstops of good brown bread came with plenty of butter and a large bowl of truly great marmalade. No plastic sachets in this place! Excellent value!

If your a real second hand book fiend this is the place for you. Push through the piles of delights - and there's a great little café tucked away. We had a great reasonably priced lunch and found it quiet and welcoming. Fresh made delicious soup and paninis, and lovely cakes to come back to when the browsing got too much.

This was our third visit for tea and cake - we like to review after a fair three. The charm and quiet of the courtyard on a sunny day was literally a sanctuary in Sherborne and in fact the only place in the centre of town with seating not on the road side. Great cakes all homemade, the carrot cake was moist and had the most delicious texture from the carrot and coconut, my husband had Dorset apple cake with clotted cream he described as "warm and wonderful". Very friendly and helpful staff, so overall this explains the 5 star rating. And if you like books, there are many to choose from, we always buy two or three for ourselves or gifts.

We recommend this small café for lunch. The soup and other simple food are all freshly prepared and cooked. Locals clearly agree, as most of the people visiting when we did were locals. As visitors we were still greeted in a friendly way. An added bonus is the book shop to which it is attached, a fine jumble of interesting volumes.

Sherbourne is full of very pleasant surprises and the Sanctuary Coffee shop is one of them. Situated within a second hand bookshop some might regard it as a danger zone!!! The coffee was grand, the cakes attractive (we resisted!) and the books inviting (we gave in and bought many!)Thoroughly recommend but beware if you are in any way interested in books... You'll be surrounded with temptation

We had a lovely family hot chocolate session here - some of the best we've tasted! Very friendly and accommodating staff and wonderful atmosphere, thank you! from the Kings!

This is a cafe within an old book shop. Not quite the atmosphere we expected from the name. Couldn't fault the coffee though.If you like old bee oaks be prepared for a long stay!

Only popped in for a coffee and a scone, cute little place accessed through a book shop in fact one of the tables was piled high with novels from the room next door - the service was delightful and the lady so friendly , I'd certainly go back ( maybe I'll buy a book too next time )

The Sanctuary provided our party of 5 with a delicious light lunch. Service was excellent as usual. The soup was piping hot with lovely bread and for desert the Dorset apple cake was sublime. I would highly recommend the Sanctuary to visitors to Sherborne - it provides a cozy and relaxing atmosphere where you can get good food and drink and as a bonus, also browse for books.

The Sanctuary is well-named, tucked along the side of the used bookshop on Trendle Street. The coffee is good, a traditional dark roast, they serve nice cakes and panini (though I haven't tried the latter) and the space is cozy indoors. When the weather is good, I recommend the garden seating in back, which gives onto the cycle shop and antique furniture dealer's yard.

A lovely coffee shop, with papers, sofas, a patio in the sun - everything you could want - and interesting window displays which follow the seasons ... a few months behind. Look out for the ostrich, soon to return in Joules wellies and sunglasses for the festival season.The food is simple but good - paninis, baked potatoes, excellent soups, delicious cakes, and, if you have an idea of something new you would like to try, it will be there next week. Very child friendly ... they have welcomed us since my daughter was a baby.

Tucked away down Trendle Street, this little gem of a coffee shop offers a great selection of different teas and coffee as well as delicious cakes! The courtyard out the back is such a find - quiet and a real suntrap - somewhere to relax with a paper and your favourite drink.

I've been telling my friends about The Sanctuary Coffee Shop for at least two years now, and I'm pleased finally to find this lovely establishment on Trip Advisor because this place is a discovery well worth sharing. Sanctuary has all the things I love most - fine coffee, friendly atmosphere and quite simply the best selection of books (ancient and modern) I know of. Situated in a lovely old building immediately opposite Sherborne's ancient Almshouses, the Sanctuary Coffee Shop offers many more drinks than just coffee, and their cakes and pastries are excellent too. So too are the panninis! You can drink and dine both indoors or in the private courtyard at the rear and the place always full of lively conversation. Visitors love it, and I've lost count of the number of times I've found myself in conversation with regulars and visitors alike. But when no-one wants to pass the time of day, there's always the books for company - literally thousands of them on shelves snaking around the entire building. This is just how I always imagined a rambling old bookshop to be, and to find it surrounding such a friendly coffee shop was the icing on the cake (there, I've mentioned the cake again...!). The Sanctuary is in Trendle Street which is just to the left of Sherborne Abbey as you stand facing it, and this means it's the coffee shop right at the heart of the historic town. And without doubt, this place has become my firm favourite.

This is a lovely cafe attached to a bookshop stuffed full of interesting second hand books. It's tucked away down a side street near the Abbey and is well worth a visit. It's got a lovely courtyard to enjoy your coffee in the sunshine. It has yummy cakes and sells really good coffee.

Very relaxed, had a nice lunch, worth going to after visiting The Abbey.

The Sanctuary Coffee Shop is located in the Chapter House Bookshop (large selection of second hand books) in the picturesque town of Sherborne in Dorset, England. The Bookshop alone is worth a leisurely visit, and the Coffee Shop greatly enhances the experience. The food is fresh and tasty, and the setting is charming. The location is steps from the magnificent Sherborne Abbey. Highly recommended!

Food choice limited and only average quality. Good service. Nice patio garden at rear for sunny days. Much preferred Town Mill Bakery at the top of Cheap Street.

It's quite easy to blink and miss this little gem as it's tucked away at the end of a bookshop.and you have to walk through the bookshop to get to the coffee shop. Fairly spacious plus seating in a small courtyard area at the back. Close to the Abbey and Almshouses. Various light meals available (soup, jacket potatoes, quiches, paninis etc) and a good variety of drinks. Clean and bright with very friendly service, a relaxed atmosphere and great food and drink which is reasonably priced. As it's slightly off the beaten track it doesn't seem to get as crowded as some of the other venues but the food is just as good as at the other eateries nearby, and in fact probably better. Would highly recommend it.