Where to visit, activities to do and places to eat around Shaftesbury

Louisa
Where to visit, activities to do and places to eat around Shaftesbury

Outdoors

A lovely wooded walk just a short drive from the cottage. Various circuits to choose from of different lengths. Suggest you put Duncliffe Wood car park into the satnav to be sure to arrive at correct place. Paths are well defined, not too muddy even when its been quite wet and reasonably shielded by trees if walking in light rain.
13 moradores locais recomendam
Duncliffe wood
13 moradores locais recomendam
A lovely wooded walk just a short drive from the cottage. Various circuits to choose from of different lengths. Suggest you put Duncliffe Wood car park into the satnav to be sure to arrive at correct place. Paths are well defined, not too muddy even when its been quite wet and reasonably shielded by trees if walking in light rain.
National Trust property. Stunning gardens (I have yet to visit the house itself), cafe and ice cream shop on site.
109 moradores locais recomendam
Stourhead House The National Trust
High Street
109 moradores locais recomendam
National Trust property. Stunning gardens (I have yet to visit the house itself), cafe and ice cream shop on site.
Stunning gardens are open to the public from Sundays to Wednesdays 11am - 4.30pm from 4th April to 28th July. Booking not required but you are advised to check the calendar on their website as gardens are occasionally closed for private events.
19 moradores locais recomendam
Larmer Tree Gardens
19 moradores locais recomendam
Stunning gardens are open to the public from Sundays to Wednesdays 11am - 4.30pm from 4th April to 28th July. Booking not required but you are advised to check the calendar on their website as gardens are occasionally closed for private events.
Two alternative routes up into town from the cottage. Turn left out of cottage and walk up to the top of the lane. From there take the path to the right of the playground and once in the park go left for the steps or right to follow path along and round to the left for the slightly less steep path up the hill, both a workout but worth it for the great view from the top.
Castle Hill
Two alternative routes up into town from the cottage. Turn left out of cottage and walk up to the top of the lane. From there take the path to the right of the playground and once in the park go left for the steps or right to follow path along and round to the left for the slightly less steep path up the hill, both a workout but worth it for the great view from the top.
Great views from this wide pedestrian area and a lovely place to sit on a sunny day.
Abbey Walk
Abbey Walk
Great views from this wide pedestrian area and a lovely place to sit on a sunny day.

Sightseeing

A must see if visiting the area. 30 minutes drive from the cottage. Book in advance to secure entry. Large car park. Small buses transfer you from reception up towards the stones, and back again after your visit. Audio guides are very informative. Gift shop and cafe housed in main building. I very much enjoyed my steak pasty.
677 moradores locais recomendam
Stonehenge
677 moradores locais recomendam
A must see if visiting the area. 30 minutes drive from the cottage. Book in advance to secure entry. Large car park. Small buses transfer you from reception up towards the stones, and back again after your visit. Audio guides are very informative. Gift shop and cafe housed in main building. I very much enjoyed my steak pasty.
English Heritage property. 14th century castle ruin. Advance booking essential even for members.
73 moradores locais recomendam
Castelo de Old Wardour
73 moradores locais recomendam
English Heritage property. 14th century castle ruin. Advance booking essential even for members.
Good place to visit for some local history.
22 moradores locais recomendam
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden
Park Walk
22 moradores locais recomendam
Good place to visit for some local history.
Made famous by the Hovis advert, the picturesque Gold Hill is a must visit photo opportunity.
92 moradores locais recomendam
Gold Hill
Gold Hill
92 moradores locais recomendam
Made famous by the Hovis advert, the picturesque Gold Hill is a must visit photo opportunity.
Beautiful setting, stunning sculptures and delicious food all in one place.
67 moradores locais recomendam
Sculpture by the Lakes
67 moradores locais recomendam
Beautiful setting, stunning sculptures and delicious food all in one place.
Beautiful cathedral currently hosting a Grayson Perry exhibition.
302 moradores locais recomendam
Catedral de Salisbury
302 moradores locais recomendam
Beautiful cathedral currently hosting a Grayson Perry exhibition.

Food scene

A new discovery and the most delicious steak. We will be going again very soon. Nice outdoor space for when the weather allows.
22 moradores locais recomendam
The Red Lion Inn
North Street
22 moradores locais recomendam
A new discovery and the most delicious steak. We will be going again very soon. Nice outdoor space for when the weather allows.
Short walk from the cottage. Nice bar area for a drink or meal. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
38 moradores locais recomendam
The Grosvenor Arms
High Street
38 moradores locais recomendam
Short walk from the cottage. Nice bar area for a drink or meal. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Great views from the terrace
12 moradores locais recomendam
Mitre
23 High St
12 moradores locais recomendam
Great views from the terrace
Good cafe tucked away off the high street. Cooked breakfasts, light lunches and a good selection of cakes.
The Ugly Duckling Cafe
Good cafe tucked away off the high street. Cooked breakfasts, light lunches and a good selection of cakes.
Lovely setting. Delicious food. Booking required. Check website for opening hours.
71 moradores locais recomendam
Pythouse Kitchen Garden
71 moradores locais recomendam
Lovely setting. Delicious food. Booking required. Check website for opening hours.
Nice country pub. Great Sunday roast.
31 moradores locais recomendam
The Fontmell
31 moradores locais recomendam
Nice country pub. Great Sunday roast.
Excellent food. Book well in advance.
22 moradores locais recomendam
The Forester Inn
Lower Street
22 moradores locais recomendam
Excellent food. Book well in advance.
Lovely deli. Eat in or take away. Delicious salads, quiches, charcuterie, cakes and a cheese room!
17 moradores locais recomendam
Compton McRae
17 moradores locais recomendam
Lovely deli. Eat in or take away. Delicious salads, quiches, charcuterie, cakes and a cheese room!
Great pub in gorgeous setting. We have only ever had drinks here but food always looks (and smells) amazing.
99 moradores locais recomendam
The Beckford Arms
99 moradores locais recomendam
Great pub in gorgeous setting. We have only ever had drinks here but food always looks (and smells) amazing.
Perfectly placed café for a tea, coffee, light lunch or piece of cake at the top of the famous Gold Hill.
21 moradores locais recomendam
The Salt Cellar
2-4 Gold Hill
21 moradores locais recomendam
Perfectly placed café for a tea, coffee, light lunch or piece of cake at the top of the famous Gold Hill.
Delicious ice creams, sorbets and waffles. Small seating area inside but nice to grab a cone and eat while walking along / sitting on Abbey Walk enjoying the view.
Ecco Gelato
21 High St
Delicious ice creams, sorbets and waffles. Small seating area inside but nice to grab a cone and eat while walking along / sitting on Abbey Walk enjoying the view.
Just 15 minutes from the cottage with a farm shop, cafe and range of pick your own fruit.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Ansty P Y O & Farmshop
7 moradores locais recomendam
Just 15 minutes from the cottage with a farm shop, cafe and range of pick your own fruit.
Newish addition to the high street and having just tried it today for the first time I would highly recommend. Eat in or takeaway, you can reserve a table online. Everything we ordered was delicious and much of our conversation was what other items on the menu we will order next time we visit.
Nest
Newish addition to the high street and having just tried it today for the first time I would highly recommend. Eat in or takeaway, you can reserve a table online. Everything we ordered was delicious and much of our conversation was what other items on the menu we will order next time we visit.

Activities and Shopping

Outdoor pool open in late spring/summer. Check website for sessions as timetable is split between family sessions and adult only.
6 moradores locais recomendam
Shaftesbury Oasis Swimming Pool
Barton Hill
6 moradores locais recomendam
Outdoor pool open in late spring/summer. Check website for sessions as timetable is split between family sessions and adult only.
We had a great time at this escape room in Salisbury. Excellent activity with family or friends. Short walk from Central car park.
Live Escape Rooms Salisbury - Castle Street
Queen Street
We had a great time at this escape room in Salisbury. Excellent activity with family or friends. Short walk from Central car park.
Great antiques shop with a large range of stock from furniture to jewellery items. Stock regularly changes. Good for a browse at any time but especially when sheltering from the elements.
6 moradores locais recomendam
Kingsettle Antiques
Station Road
6 moradores locais recomendam
Great antiques shop with a large range of stock from furniture to jewellery items. Stock regularly changes. Good for a browse at any time but especially when sheltering from the elements.
Great antiques shop with three floors to explore.
6 moradores locais recomendam
Dairy House Antiques
Station Road
6 moradores locais recomendam
Great antiques shop with three floors to explore.