landmark
Stourhead
One of the world's finest landscape gardens with a magnificent lake, classical temples and a stunning Palladian mansion in Wiltshire.
14 km · about 25 min drive
England, United Kingdom · Europe
Shaftesbury works well as a base: 15 minutes from Gillingham, 28km from Salisbury Cathedral.
Shaftesbury is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 7,314, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Shaftesbury sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Shaftesbury to your route.
Shaftesbury () is a town and civil parish in Dorset, England. It is on the A30 road, 20 miles (32 kilometres) west of Salisbury and 23 miles (37 kilometres) north-northeast of Dorchester, near the border with Wiltshire. It is the only significant hilltop settlement in Dorset, being built about 215 metres (705 feet)Read more
above sea level on a greensand hill on the edge of Cranborne Chase.
The town looks over the Blackmore Vale, part of the River Stour basin.
Shaftesbury is the site of the former Shaftesbury Abbey, which was founded in 888 by King Alfred and became one of the richest religious establishments in the country, before being destroyed in the dissolution in 1539. Adjacent to the abbey site is Gold Hill, a steep cobbled street used in the 1970s as the setting for Ridley Scott's television advertisement for Hovis bread.
In the 2021 census the town's civil parish had a population of 9,162.
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Shaftesbury offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Shaftesbury is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 51.0053 latitude, -2.1933 longitude.
Shaftesbury has a population of approximately 7,314 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.
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Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United Kingdom8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
One of the world's finest landscape gardens with a magnificent lake, classical temples and a stunning Palladian mansion in Wiltshire.
14 km · about 25 min drive
racetrack
A 1,000-yard chalk downland hillclimb in Wiltshire with a fearsome uphill Karousel corner, run by enthusiasts since 1967 and one of the best places in Britain to watch sprint cars up close.
16 km · about 20 min drive
museum
The UK's largest collection of classic and vintage cars and motorcycles, with over 400 vehicles on display.
25 km · about 30 min drive
cathedral
Masterpiece of Early English Gothic architecture boasting Britain's tallest spire at 123 metres and housing the finest surviving Magna Carta.
28 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Mysterious prehistoric stone circle dating back 5,000 years on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.
32 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
A remarkable collection of rare and unique motorcycles in the New Forest assembled by legendary trials rider Sammy Miller.
38 km · about 45 min drive
beach
A seven-mile stretch of golden sand along the Dorset coast, one of England's most popular seaside destinations.
39 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Mystical terraced hill crowned by St Michael's Tower, steeped in Arthurian and early Christian legends with panoramic Somerset views.
39 km · about 45 min drive
April to October
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