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About us

Welcome To The Clockspire

The Clockspire, set by the Somerset’s borderline, was originally built by Sir William Medlycott in 1864 as a school. Now the building has been brought back to its former glory creating a warm and welcoming restaurant and bar.

The striking exterior is more than matched by a stunning new modern interior with bare stone walls, exposed oak roof beams and a polished concrete floor.

Our menu is all about seasonality and using locally grown produce at its prime. Our approach is ingredient-led with an emphasis on flavour, harmony and balance.

Add to that a wonderful service team offering warm and welcoming hospitality, and the result is an exceptional restaurant, a sophisticated bar and a new landmark in the heart of the community.

The Restaurant

We set out to create a restaurant we would want to eat in ourselves. A place where what’s on your plate depends on what is absolutely in season, and one that uses the best ingredients from local farmers and suppliers whenever possible.

The room itself is spectacular, with large windows casting dappled light across the original features of the building. The service is also first class, but the feel is definitely unfussy. At its heart it is a beautiful space to relax and enjoy wonderfully made food.

The Bar

Set on a mezzanine level over the main restaurant, our super chic bar is a destination in itself.  The ultra modern marble topped bar and velvet covered bar stools contrast beautifully with the building’s newly revealed oak beams and beautifully restored stonework.

It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of Champagne or an expertly made cocktail before your meal while watching the theatre of the dining space below.

Our PEOPLE

Massimiliano Mannella

Massimiliano Mannella is our General Manager here at The Clockspire. Originally from Liguria, Massi grew up surrounded by some of Italy’s most stunning scenery.

After studying hospitality at university, Massi started his career in a tiny restaurant on the Italian coast. The food was simple, but the service and experience offered to the guests by the soulful chef patron was warm and put the guest at the heart of everything he did. This was what kept Massi at this restaurant for some years. When Massi decided it was time to move on he wanted to be able to offer this same experience, and seeking a challenge he headed to London. During the past seven years working in London, he has inevitably added finesse and authenticity to his skills working in some of the capital’s most prestigious restaurants. Most recently has been General Manager at Gordon Ramsay’s London House restaurant.

When we asked Massi to join us here at The Clockspire, we did wonder if the beautiful Dorset countryside would bring back some memories from the beginning of his career, and we knew this restaurant would be the perfect place for him to express the warmth of his personality.

Luke Sutton

Head chef Luke Sutton has been surrounded by great food from an early age when he and his family would frequently visit friends in France.
He can still remember the look, feel and smell of the wine caves they used to explore, and meals of fresh caught river trout with asparagus grown locally.

Those experiences have helped to shape him into the chef he is today. He maintains a keen sense of provenance throughout his dishes, inspired to find the very best in local ingredients and enhance them with techniques and skills learned throughout his career.

Luke’s started his career at Michelin starred L’ortolan in Berkshire, and then moved to the then newly opened Woodspeen restaurant, here he eventually became senior sous chef and was part of the team to earn and keep the restaurant’s Michelin star. With a kitchen garden to play with Luke continued to develop his passion for seasonality and would often share his knowledge whilst teaching in The Woodspeen’s cookery school.

With ingredient-led cooking as his passion, Luke is excited to be able to find local suppliers who share his enthusiasm for great produce.

EVENTS 2023

Jazz Sessions 2023

Elevate your Thursday evenings with live Jazz and enjoy captivating sets from the Simply Jazz Trio as you delight in seasonal and signature dishes, exciting cocktails and fine wines from our exceptional menu.

Every last Thursday evening of each month from 19:00-21:00

2023

November 30th

2024

January 25th
February 29th
March 28th
April 25th
May 30th
June 27th
July 25th
August 29th
September 26th
October 31st
November 28th

Wine Events 2023

We are delighted to announce that 2023 events have started at The Clockspire.

If you’re looking to elevate your standard dining experince with us why not join us for one of our fabulous events organized with our wine suppliers? From the sparkling Champagne region to the rich American red wines, passing from Italy and Provence to end in Bordeaux. We are sure you’ll be able to find the one that definetly suits your taste.

Give us a call or subsctibe to our newsletter to be kept up to date with upcoming events.

At the event you will be able to purchase wines at retail price with a massive 40% discount, certaily an occasion not to be missed.

Champagne Ayala Dinner Event Wednesday 8th November

We are thrilled to welcome Maison Ayala to The Clockspire. Join us from 7pm for a special evening of discovery as Ayala’s exquisite selection is paired with spectacular seasonal dishes. 

Festive Afternoon Teas

Westcountry fine dining destination ‘The Clockspire’ has revealed a sensational Afternoon Tea which will be served from 15th November through to January.

Visitors to the acclaimed restaurant near Sherborne can enjoy a selection of seasonally inspired finger sandwiches, like flavour-filled turkey and stuffing and delicately truffled egg mayonnaise, as well as choosing from a selection of mouthwatering sweet treats. Among them, a classic Mont Blanc tart with sweet chestnut flavours, a winter fruit pavlova with Chantilly cream and pickled blackberries, and a ‘Clockspire Christmas Bauble’ – a stunning ruby red centrepiece of spiced mousse with apple compote centre, crafted by The Clockspire’s talented pastry chefs. All served with a choice of speciality loose-leaf teas – or add Champagne if you’re feeling flamboyant – in the elegant Mezzanine bar of this stunning former schoolhouse.

Get a little taste of Christmas for £38 per person – the perfect way to spend a Winter afternoon.

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free options are available with 24 hrs notice. Please advise at the time of booking. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer an Afternoon Tea that is both Vegan and Gluten Free.

Find Us

The Clockspire

Gainsborough
Milborne Port
Sherborne
DT9 5BA

Careers

The team lies at the heart of The Clockspire, they drive the business, they separate us from our competitors and the team is who welcomes our guests and creates an unforgettable experience, this is what makes The Clockspire great. We are dedicated to creating an environment where our team can grow and flourish, given the support and training needed and inspiration to motivate and achieve their goals.

If the team is the heart then our shared passion for greatness and quality is the soul of The Clockspire, we are committed to working with the best of fresh and seasonal produce with locality at the source as this connection with nature is something we are not only inspired by but proud to promote.

These are the ingredients to a long and sustainable business.

 

We are always on the look out for like minded individuals to join our team.

If you are interested to learn about great produce, working closely with nature and the seasons as part of a small team pushing to be better each day, then this is the place for you.

We are a new team that has already established a great reputation amongst the local community and are looking now grow and evolve upon this base, this is a great time to come and join the team and become part of this journey.

Email Cv’s and enquiries to host@theclockspire.com

Recruiting all chef positions.

Opening hours

WED – SAT
12 noon – 3:00pm
6:00pm – 9:30pm

 

SUN
12 noon – 16:30pm

Make a Reservation

Get in touch

Email: host@theclockspire.com
Gainsborough
Milborne Port
Sherborne
DT9 5BA

01963 251458

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