Shaftesbury is a small Market Town with a history that goes back to the Saxon Hill top forts. Shaftesbury, home of Gold Hill made famous by the ‘Hovis’ advertisement, has magnificent views out over the Blackmore Vale. There are a wide variety of independent shops, pubs and restaurants for the Tourist to enjoy in one of the friendliest towns in the area.

In Shaftesbury the Tourist can experience what it was like back in King Alfred's time whilst walking round the ruins of the Abbey or just enjoy the history of the area displayed in the Town Museum.

Shaftesbury was founded in c.880 and was one of four places in Dorset mentioned in the Burghal Hidge document. In c.888 Alfred founded the Abbey, which was the first community for nuns not to be connected with a male community.

Shaftesbury is situated on the intersection of the A30 and the A350. It is the gateway to the South West, from which to tour the area from Stonehenge in the East, to Bath and Bristol to the North and Bournemouth and the Jurassic Coast to the South.