Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>The sleepy hill top town nestled within the glorious Blackmore Vale in North Dorset, has indie shops, cafes and restaurants and one of the UK&#8217;s most iconic views at Gold Hill (cue New World Symphony and reaches for a slice of Hovis). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="732" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/02/TheGrosvenorArms_Exterior1.jpg" alt="grosvenor arms in Shaftesbury, Dorset" class="wp-image-39942" style="aspect-ratio:1;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/02/TheGrosvenorArms_Exterior1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/02/TheGrosvenorArms_Exterior1-150x110.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/02/TheGrosvenorArms_Exterior1-300x220.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/02/TheGrosvenorArms_Exterior1-768x562.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/02/TheGrosvenorArms_Exterior1-683x500.jpg 683w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Grosvenor Arms</figcaption></figure>



<p>How do you take your coffee? With views down Gold Hill: <a href="https://thesaltcellargoldhill.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Salt Cellar</a>; with a delicious deli: <a href="https://www.comptonmcrae.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Compton McRae</a>? Watch planes take off and land while you tuck into Texan BBQ pulled beef and beer at The Smokehouse at <a href="https://www.comptonairfield.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Compton Abbas Airfield</a> (owned by Guy Ritchie). The Georgian coaching inn <a aria-label="Grosvenor Arms  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/grosvenor-arms-shaftsbury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Grosvenor Arms</a> is the place to go to eat and stay in the centre of town. <a aria-label="The Forester, (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.theforesterdonheadstandrew.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Forester,</a> in Donhead St Andrew, is Michelin-listed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="1187" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Screenshot_2022-03-01_at_13.03.47_900x.png" alt="Mine gift shop lifestyle store and women's fashion Shaftesbury" class="wp-image-101180" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Screenshot_2022-03-01_at_13.03.47_900x.png 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Screenshot_2022-03-01_at_13.03.47_900x-607x800.png 607w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Screenshot_2022-03-01_at_13.03.47_900x-758x1000.png 758w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Screenshot_2022-03-01_at_13.03.47_900x-303x400.png 303w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Screenshot_2022-03-01_at_13.03.47_900x-768x1013.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mine</figcaption></figure>



<p>Wide range of stores on the high street, some chains. <a aria-label="The Shaftesbury Deli (opens in a new tab)" href="https://theshaftesburydeli.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Shaftesbury Deli</a>. Nature-inspired books, art and gifts at <a href="https://www.foldedorset.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Folde</a>. <a aria-label="The Botanical Candle Co (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thebotanicalcandleco.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Botanical Candle Co</a> and <a href="https://mine-boutique.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mine</a> gift shops. Fab florist and café <a aria-label="Pamplemousse (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.pamplemoussedorset.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pamplemousse</a>. Gorgeous fabric, soft furnishings and furniture at <a href="https://www.coritarose.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corita Rose.</a> Waitrose in nearby Gillingham. Thurs market. Traditional drapers Hine &amp; Parsons. Plastic-free store <a href="https://coconutandcotton.co.uk/">C</a><a aria-label="oconut and Cotton (opens in a new tab)" href="https://coconutandcotton.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oconut and Cotton</a>. The <a aria-label="Udder Farm Shop (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.theudderfarmshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Udder Farm Shop</a> in East Stour is excellent. Big shopping in Salisbury (40 mins). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Outdoor swimming in the<a href="https://www.shaftesbury-tc.gov.uk/services/lido/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Shaftesbury Lido</a>. Indoor swimming, gym, exercises classes and kids&#8217; soft play just up the road in Gillingham at <a href="https://www.riversmeetgillingham.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RiversMeet</a>. New parents head to <a href="https://www.pipjohnsonwellness.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pip Johnson Wellness</a> for fitness, PT and baby sessions. Miles of footpaths and bridleways nearby: the Great Wessex Way, the Hardy Way, the White Hart Link the North Dorset Cycle Way. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Lots of community goings on including an annual Snowdrop Festival (the town is renowned for its snowdrops), the Shaftesbury Feastival (incorporating the traditional cheese carrying race &#8211; yes! – up Gold Hill), Shaftesbury Carnival and the Gillingham &amp; Shaftesbury Agricultural Show. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>Shaftesbury Abbey Museum &amp; Gardens. You&#8217;re in the Blackmore Vale and on the edge of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Chocks away at the <a aria-label="Compton Abbas airfield (opens in a new tab)" href="https://comptonabbasairfield.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Compton Abbas airfield</a>. The fantastical spectacle that is the annual <a aria-label="Great Dorset Steam Fair (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.gdsf.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Dorset Steam Fair</a>. Sadly it didn&#8217;t take place in 2024; fingers crossed for 2025. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-fringe-453214121_1001963118599635_3575637680149092263_n_Fotor.jpg" alt="shaftesbury fringe dorset" class="wp-image-100769" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-fringe-453214121_1001963118599635_3575637680149092263_n_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-fringe-453214121_1001963118599635_3575637680149092263_n_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-fringe-453214121_1001963118599635_3575637680149092263_n_Fotor-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-fringe-453214121_1001963118599635_3575637680149092263_n_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-fringe-453214121_1001963118599635_3575637680149092263_n_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shaftesbury Fringe</figcaption></figure>



<p>Visit the <a href="https://shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shaftesbury Arts Centre</a> in the old covered market for films, theatre, comedy, dance and exhibitions. Three days of music, theatre and comedy at the Shaftesbury Fringe; two days of music at the Gold Hill Festival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>The average house price was £333,926 over the last year, with detached at £517,993, semis at £326,850 and terraced at £239,924.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-4-6842-732x488-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="house for sale shaftesbury dorset" class="wp-image-100758" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-4-6842-732x488-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-4-6842-732x488-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-4-6842-732x488-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-4-6842-732x488-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/00-shaftesbury-4-6842-732x488-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Victorian villa with 4 beds, close to the town centre. <a href="https://www.boatwrights.co.uk/property/magdalene-lane-shaftesbury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £675,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Shaftesbury Children&#8217;s Centre Nursery and The Garden Montessori at St Mary&#8217;s have both been rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Little Acorns Pre-school has been rated Good. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schoo-ls">SCHOO<strong>LS</strong></h2>



<p>State schools Shaftesbury School and nearby Gillingham School are both &#8216;good&#8217;. Nearby independents include <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/port-regis-near-shaftesbury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Port Regis</a> (prep)<a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/port-regis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">,</a> <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/leweston-school-sherborne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leweston School</a>, <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/leweston-prep-nursery-sherborne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leweston Prep &amp; Nursery</a>, <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/hanford-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hanford</a> (girls), Milton Abbey, <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bryanston-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bryanston </a>and <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bryanston-prep-dorset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bryanston Prep</a>, Clayesmore, Sherborne School (all boys), Sherborne Girls, and Sherborne Prep (mixed).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Alfred the Great founded the Abbey. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Gillingham (5 miles) or Tisbury (9.5 miles) to London Waterloo from just over 2 hrs.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Shaftesbury

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