Shaftesbury
The town of Shaftesbury is one of the oldest towns in Britain, first being documented in the Burghal Hidage, an early 10th century list of boroughs created by King Alfred. Situated on a chalk and greensand hill, the town is built at almost 200m above sea level, one of the highest to exist on UK soil.
Shortly after the town was built, its founder, Alfred the Great also ordered the construction of it Abbey. For 650 years it enjoyed prestige and had several links with the royal family. However, during the reformation, Henry VIII ordered its destruction. Today, its foundations are kept within a reflective garden, and the area is popular with tourists and locals.
Often referred to as Dorset’s historic hilltop town, Shaftesbury was immortalised as “Shaston” in the author Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure and Tess of the d’Urbervilles and is visited by Hardy fans from around the globe.
The town is also home to Gold Hill, a picturesque, old fashioned street, lined with cobbles and flanked by traditional cottages. When climbing the hill, the backdrop is absolutely spectacular, with clear views over the beautiful Blackmore Vale. The location was made famous back in the 1970’s when it was used in a widespread television advert by “Hovis” in which a young boy is delivering bread on his bike. However, because of the voice over used on the advert, the millions who saw it believe it to be in Lancashire rather than Dorset’s beautiful coast.
If touring Dorset, Shaftesbury is an ideal location to fit into your itinerary.
