Shaftesbury

Directory Information

Our Shaftesbury/Gillingham/Mere/Sturminster Newton dentons directory (24th edition) is currently distributed to over 17,250 business and residential addresses in the Shaftesbury/Gillingham/Mere/Sturminster Newton area. For more information on our directories, please click here.

About Shaftesbury

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Steeped in history, tradition and breathtaking views over the Blackmore Vale, Shaftesbury is a picturesque market town in north Dorset situated on the A30 near the Wiltshire border and 20 miles west of Salisbury.

The “Shaston” of Thomas Hardy’s novels, Shaftesbury is one of the oldest and highest towns in Britain and is twinned with Brionne in France and Lindlar in Germany.

Gold Hill links the town to St James’ which lies beneath the hill. The Hovis Bread television advertisement made Gold Hill infamous, with its steep cobbles and picturesque cottages is the epitome of rural charm from a previous time, many properties retain their thatched rooves. 

History

Town Hall, Shaftesbury

Town Hall, Shaftesbury

  • Shaftesbury was founded by the Saxons as a fortified settlement built by Alfred the Great. Alfred and his daughter Ethelgiva founded an abbey here in 888. As well as a fortress and abbey, Shaftesbury was a bustling little town with a few hundred inhabitants.
  • The abbey became one of the richest and received the relics of St Edward the Martyr. The importance of the abbey lead to several pilgramages for spiritual healing, indeed King Canute died in Shaftesbury in 1035.
  • In the 10th century, there were three royal mints in the town creating a currency bearing the Shaftesbury name.
  • With local weaving and cloth making, Shaftesbury diversified into lace making and button making, when this became mechanised labour fled.
  • Shaftesbury has weekly markets and today, it remains a busy market town.

Facts

  • Population – 6,665 (2001)
  • Local Authority – North Dorset District Council
  • Major Industries – Tourism; Light Industrial; Retail
  • Post Town – SHAFTESBURY
  • Postcode district – SP7
  • Dialling code – 01747
  • Police – Dorset Police
  • Fire – Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
  • Ambulance – South Western Ambulance Service

Discover Shaftesbury – useful links to city guides, what’s on and places to see

Blackmore Vale near Shaftesbury

Blackmore Vale near Shaftesbury

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