Shaftesbury Guide Dorset

Shaftesbury Guide

The iconic Gold Hill, Dorset, UK. — Gold Hill & view of Blackmore Vale

Shaftesbury in Dorset is a pleasant town with a population of around 9,000 west of Salisbury on the A30. Salisbury along with nearby Dorchester is known for its associations with the author Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) and Gold Hill, a cobbled street that appeared in Ridley Scott's 1973 classic Hovis ad. There are superb views over Blackmore Vale from the top.

Shaftesbury appears as Shaston in Hardy's novels and is a setting in both Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure.

History

Shaftesbury dates back to the Saxon period when the town (burgh) was established by Alfred the Great in 880. In 888 Alfred founded Shaftesbury Abbey, a Benedictine nunnery. His daughter Ethelgifu was the first abbess.

The remains of Edward the Martyr were interred in the abbey in the late 10th century. As a result the town became a major pilgrimage site.

King Canute died at the abbey in 1035, although he was buried at Winchester.

At the time of the Norman Conquest the town was the largest in Dorset.

The abbey was dissolved in 1539 during the Reformation in the reign of Henry VIII. It now lies in ruins. This led to a decline in the town's prosperity.

The Gold Hill Museum has displays on the history of the town. — The Gold Hill Museum has displays on the history of the town

Attractions

Shaftesbury's main attractions include the excellent Gold Hill Museum, which has exhibits on the history of the town. Staffed by volunteers, the museum is open from April to October and is housed in two historic buildings, a former priest's house and a house used by market traders. Inside is the town's oldest fire-engine, a mummified Dorset cat as well as displays about the local men who served in World War I and World War II.

The Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden open from April 1 houses the remains of what was once one of the most prosperous abbeys in England. The museum displays items recovered in archaeological excavations as well as a digital representation of how the Abbey once looked.

The remains of the abbey are within a walled garden which has a collection of medieval-inspired herbs and fruit trees.

Shaftesbury Arts Centre in the former covered market puts on a variety of amateur and professional performances throughout the year as well showing a selection of movies.

Churches of note in the town include St Peter's Church, the oldest in the town dating from the 15th century and St James' Church, rebuilt in the 18th century but also of 15th century origin.

Shaftesbury's Tourist Office is at 8a Bell Street.

Shaftesbury makes for an pleasant base to visit the nearby Cerne Giant, Lyme Regis and Sherborne.

The High Street in Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK. — The High Street

Shopping in Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury has the usual list of Britain's high street favourites: Lidl, Tesco, the Co-op, W H Smith, Holland & Barrett, Morrison's, Superdrug etc along with a number of recommended independent shops and art and craft stores. Several of these can be found at Swans Yard, the site of a former coaching inn, just off the High Street.

Shaftesbury's Hotels

Shaftesbury's places to stay include the 3-star Best Western The Royal Chase Hotel, the La Fleur de Lys, with a recommended restaurant and The Grosvenor Arms on The Commons in the center of towns.

See a listing of hotels in and around Shaftesbury.

Access - Getting To Shaftesbury

The nearest railway stations are in Gillingham and Tisbury. Gillingham has trains to London Waterloo, Salisbury and Exeter St David's.

The A350 runs north to south on the edge of the town. The A30 runs east to west from London to Land's End. Bath is an hour by car of the A350. Bristol is about 90 minutes on the A36 and A350.

Buses connect Shaftesbury with Gilligham, Salisbury, Sherborne and Blandford Forum.