Is Shaftesbury worth visiting?
There are many attractive and interesting buildings in Shaftesbury including the Old School House on Abbey Walk. The town is a little off the main tourist route but well worth a visit. In his Wessex novels, Thomas Hardy renamed it as ‘Shaston’.
What day is market day in Shaftesbury?
Located on the High Street just at the top of the famous Gold Hill taking place on the 3rd SUNDAY of every month from March to November.
What is near Shaftesbury?
15 Best Things to Do in Shaftesbury (Dorset, England)
- Gold Hill. Source: Adrian Baker / shutterstock Gold Hill.
- Gold Hill Museum. Source: ell brown / Flickr Gold Hill Museum.
- Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden.
- Shaftesbury Heritage Trail.
- Cranborne Chase.
- Fontmell Down.
- Melbury Beacon.
- Duncliffe Wood.
How far above sea level is Shaftesbury?
750 feet
Shaftesbury in North Dorset is one of the highest towns in England, standing as it does at 750 feet above sea level.
What is Shaftesbury like to live in?
Despite its small and rural nature, Shaftesbury is home to a string of high-street shops, but much of the High Street is a colourful mixture of estate agents, cafés and unique gift shops.
How steep is Goldhill?
16.09º
Gold Hill, in Shaftesbury, Dorset, is still known to many as Hovis Hill, as a result of the 1973 Ridley Scott advert which brought its beautiful backdrop to national attention. With an incline of 16.09º, it certainly poses a challenge to tourists and residents alike.
Is the Frome market on today?
There are general markets every Wednesday and Saturday 9am-3pm, with stalls in the Cattle Market Car Park by the Cheese and Grain and at the bottom of Cheap Street. You can find out more on the Frome Weekly Market Facebook page.
Whats it like living in Shaftesbury?
With its thatched cottages, tea rooms and small independent shops, Shaftesbury is one of the oldest towns in England. Many people visit Shaftesbury to hike up Gold Hill to see the scenic views of Blackmore Vale. Their monthly Farmers’ Market brings people from all over the county to the town.
Is Shaftesbury a nice place to live?
Despite its small and rural nature, Shaftesbury is home to a string of high-street shops, but much of the High Street is a colourful mixture of estate agents, cafés and unique gift shops. The TV programme, Location, Location, Location, rated Shaftesbury as one of the best places to live in the UK.
Does Shaftesbury have a train station?
Although several plans were made to give Shaftesbury its own station, the town’s position on a hill prevented this. The nearest station to Shaftesbury is now Gillingham.
Is Shaftesbury a nice place?
Do people live on Gold Hill?
Although the scene seems essentially unchanged, the hill has changed over the years, as Maggie reveals: ‘When I first came here, most of the people who lived on Gold Hill had lived there all their lives; many had been born here and never left. Now there’s a lot more holiday cottages and Bed & Breakfasts. ‘
What to do in Shaftesbury Dorset, England?
There may not be a prettier sight in England than the cottages and cobblestones of Gold Hill against the rambling North Dorset countryside. This view was immortalised by Ridley Scott in his Hovis ad of 1973. Shaftesbury and the Blackmore Vale is also Thomas Hardy country, appearing in novels like Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1891).
What was the history of the town of Shaftesbury?
Founded over 1100 years ago as the site of King Alfred’s citadel Benedictine Abbey, and today largely unchanged since the 18th century, the town is a treasure trove for all. Located on ancient trade routes, Shaftesbury has been a market centre for centuries, and today there is still a charter market on Thursdays.
What to do in Shaftesbury on the Jurassic Coast?
The town is the home of Gold Hill (made famous by the “Hovis” advert) and has magnificent views over Thomas Hardy’s Blackmore Vale. It is the gateway to the South West from where you can tour the area from Stonehenge to the east to Bath and Bristol to the north and the Jurassic Coast to the south.
Why is Shaftesbury still known as Hovis Hill?
For this reason, the hill is still known to many people as “Hovis Hill” The tops of some of the houses along gold hill are on the cover of J.K. Rowling’s book “The Casual Vacancy”. Park Walk has far reaching views over St James and across the Blackmore Vale. On a clear day, you can see for miles across the Dorset skyline.