Detached house for sale

Longburton, Sherborne, Dorset DT9

A unique former chapel offering an abundance of character and original features, including traditional pew seating, a pulpit and central aisle. The property also benefits from a former schoolroom, useful ancillary accommodation and external storage. Set within historic grounds, presenting a rare opportunity for a variety of future uses.

Auction

For sale by Public Auction and via Livestream on Friday, 20 November 2026 2:00 pm at The Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3NL and via Livestream. Register to bid in the room, online, by telephone or by proxy via our website.

Accommodation

The property is accessed via an entrance lobby leading into the principal chapel, a characterful space featuring a raised dais and pulpit at the eastern end. Traditional pew seating remains in place, arranged around a central aisle and providing a striking focal point to the interior.

Adjoining the chapel is a former schoolroom, situated to the northern side of the building and fitted with a sink unit, offering potential for a variety of ancillary uses, subject to any necessary consents.

Outside, there is a useful lean-to store together with a cloakroom comprising a WC and wash hand basin.

Beyond the footprint of the buildings, the remainder of the site is occupied by historic burial grounds.

Situation

Situated in the heart of the highly sought-after village of Longburton, the property enjoys a superb position backing directly onto the unspoilt Blackmore Vale countryside, offering far-reaching rural views and an exceptional sense of peace and privacy. Longburton is a thriving village with a strong community spirit and amenities including a popular public house, village hall and parish church.

The historic Abbey town of Sherborne lies approximately four miles to the north and provides an excellent range of shops, supermarkets, cafés and restaurants. Sherborne is particularly renowned for its outstanding schooling, including Sherborne School, Sherborne Girls, The Gryphon School and nearby Leweston School.

Further amenities are available in Yeovil and Dorchester. Sherborne offers a direct rail service to London Waterloo in approximately 2.5 hours, while Castle Cary provides a fast service to London Paddington in around 90 minutes. Bournemouth Airport, Bristol Airport and Exeter Airport are all within convenient reach.

Material Information

Main water, electricity and drainage.
Electric heater.

There is mobile coverage available in the area, please refer to Ofcom's website for more details.
No broadband is currently connected to the property.

The property holds a Grade II Listed status.

There is field to the right of property that is owned by Sherborne Estates, the Chapel currently pays a peppercorn rent to use the space as a parking for the Chapel. The buyer would need to make their own enquires to Sherborne Castle to see if this could be continued.

The property is situated in a conservation area.

There is a recent planning application submitted opposite the property erection of a barn, this has been rejected - P/ful/2026/01050

A lease is going to be created as part of the sale for the grave yard, please see the legal pack for more information. There will be a right included in the lease of the burial ground to allow relatives of the deceased and others to access the graves.

Directions

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Solicitor

Ms Keely Doyle
Blake Morgan Apex Plaza
Forbury Road
Reading,
RG1 1AX