Discover Shaftesbury, Dorset

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_Hill,_Shaftesbury_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1436887.jpg
Author: Robin Drayton


Shaftesbury is a town on the northern part of Dorset, England. It is within the district of North Dorset, and is close to the border with Wiltshire. The town is about 20 miles to the west of Salisbury. It has a population of around 7,000 people (2012 estimate).

Shaftesbury looks over the Blackmore Vale. From its position, one can get a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. The town's recorded history goes back to Anglo-Saxon times, although the area itself may have been inhabited even earlier, going back to Celtic times.

The Saxon ruler Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, built a fortified settlement here in AD 880 as defence against Viking offensive. He and his daughter Ethelgiva also founded Shaftesbury Abbey, in AD 888. Under King Athelstan, three royal mints were established here. It helped make Shaftesbury Abbey the wealthiest Benedictine nunnery in England.

Shaftesbury Guildhall: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shaftesburyguildhall.JPG
Author: Rodw
Shaftesbury came under Royalist control during the English Civil War, although its inhabitants were broadly Parliamentarians.

Visiting Shaftesbury

From London, take the M3 motorway until Exit 18, and then continue west on the A303 road past Andover until you reach the junction with the A350 road (signaged Warminster/Blandford). Head south on the A350 until arriving in Shaftesbury.

High Street, Shaftesbury: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:High_Street,_Shaftesbury_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1440129.jpg
Author: Robin Drayton

Places of Interest in Shaftesbury

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