Shaftesbury

The view from Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, is one that is familiar to anyone who's poured over an English Tourist Board brochure. The steep cobbled street lined with uniquely individual thatched and tiled cottages looks out across the Blackmore Vale and fields broken by hedgerows in a scene that evokes the best of traditional English charm. Though Shaftesbury suffers some inevitable effects of its popularity as a beauty spot, it is far enough off the beaten track to have escaped the tourist hordes. One who did make it here was Thomas Hardy, who renamed the town "Shaston" in his novels.

Shaftesbury Abbey was founded by King Alfred around 888AD, and Alfred's daughter Aethelgiva was the first Abbess. The town grew up around the abbey during the late Saxon period, and gained in importance to the point where it was granted the right to have no less than three money minters under Aethelstan.

During the medieval period the Abbey was a popular destination for pilgrims who flocked to the shrine of St. Edward. In 1260 Shaftesbury was granted a charter to hold a weekly market, and in 1392 that was expanded to two markets.

The excavated remains of the abbey church lies within a walled garden, and the Shaftesbury Abbey Museum traces the history of the site. St. Peter's Church is notable for its crypt and vaulted porch.

Behind the Town Hall at the top of Gold Hill is Shaftesbury's Town Museum, boasting displays of the town's unique heritage. Included are examples of Dorset Buttons, made locally in the early 19th century, and a variety of regional agricultural implements such as billhooks, scythes, and Shepherd's crooks. A wooden fire engine dating to 1744, and even earlier 17th century set of Shaftesbury's own weights and measures are on display.

Shaftesbury was a transportation hub in the 18th century, with no less than 5 turnpike roads converging on the town. Extra horses were required to pull the coaches up Tout Hill. The coming of the railway left Shaftesbury something of a backwater, with the nearest station at Gillingham.

Shaftesbury holds two annual events, the Gold Hill Fair in July and the Shaftesbury Carnival in October.

Just two miles from the town is the fancifully named ZigZag Hill, which provides excellent views across Cranborne Chase, and has been officially recognised by the AA as the bendiest stretch of road in the Britain (and they should know!).