Sandford Orcas

Sandford Orcas village is characterised by traditional cottages built in local natural stone with slate, clay tile and thatched roofs linked by high banks and hedges, following the line of the village stream.

This quiet, pretty, unspoilt village has its own Tudor Manor House (open to the public on Sunday afternoons and Mondays during the summer months) and thirteenth century church, close to The Alders.

The village gets its name from the 13th century. It is derived from sandy-fords crossing the village stream and Orcas being a corruption of the surname of the 12th century Lords of the Manor, the 'Orescuilitz' family which is thought to have been pronounced in Norman French as 'Orscoys'

Good food at lunchtimes and evenings (except Monday evenings) can be had at The Mitre Inn, a traditional village pub with old stone slab floors, a short walk away.

There are many public footpaths from the village providing delightful walks through open country side, the long distance footpath the Macmillan Way.

Sherborne golf club is nearby.

Sherborne is conveniently situated three miles from the village. It is one of the most attractive towns in England, famous for its abbey, church and two castles, one built by Sir Walter Raleigh. There are plenty of shops in which to browse, in addition to an arts centre and small museum.