Shaftesbury

For details of places to stay and things to do in Shaftesbury, please try the links on the left.

The charming town of Shaftesbury will be remembered by many for its long running appearance in the Hovis television adverts. The famous Gold Hill has pretty thatched and tiled cottages clinging to its steep sides, while panoramic views over the open countryside can be enjoyed from the top.

Those interested in history should call into the Town Museum (open from March to October), which houses some fine examples of Dorset Buttons, a thriving cottage industry in the early part of the nineteenth century. It also has an interesting collection of farming implements and a rare wooden fire engine dating from 1744.

The High Street has individual small shops and plenty of cafes and teashops serving delicious snacks and Dorset cream teas.

King Alfred founded Shaftesbury Abbey in 888AD, as a Benedictine community for women. Today, the ruins are surrounded by serene gardens and there's also a fascinating museum where past inhabitants of the Abbey are brought to life.

Each year in August the Gillingham and Shaftesbury show attracts crowds from all around the county to celebrate the best of the farming industry. A day of prize-winning cattle and horses, monster vegetables and activities that range from ferret racing to show jumping offers something for all ages.