Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury is a market town on a greensand hill in Dorset, England, sitting 215 meters (705 feet) above sea level on a ridge with views over the Blackmore Vale. The settlement extends along several steep streets radiating from a central crossroads, where shops and public buildings cluster around a small market square.

King Alfred founded a fortified settlement here in 880 to protect the kingdom from Viking raids. His daughter Æthelgifu established an abbey eight years later, which became one of the richest in England until Henry VIII dissolved it in 1539.

The Chivers family used the local spring waters in the 19th century to produce refreshments, making the clean well water part of the town's identity. Today, old pump houses and well housings recall the time when water from here was sold across much of England.

The central area is walkable, though several streets involve steep inclines that can become slippery in wet weather. Most shops and facilities sit within a compact zone along High Street and Bell Street, making orientation straightforward.

Every February, the surroundings turn into a white bloom when around 60,000 snowdrops flower along roadsides and in small gardens. Locals mark out paths during this period for visitors who want to experience the winter flowering on short walks.

Location: Dorset

Website: http://shaftesburytown.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.00562,-2.19560

Latest update: December 12, 2025 06:29