Shaftesbury
Things to do in Shaftesbury, Dorset
Photo © Pedro Landin, Google Maps
Shaftesbury works well as a base for exploring Dorset, with around a dozen hotels and guest houses spread through the town. The White Lion Inn and The Benett Arms both have strong records with visitors, rated above 4.6 from hundreds of reviews, while La Fleur de Lys combines accommodation with dining and scores particularly highly at 4.7. The Best Western The Royal Chase Hotel offers another well-established option. If you want to eat out, you have three restaurants to choose from: The Slade Centre stands out with a near-perfect 4.9 rating (though from fewer reviews), while Nanna Moons, rated 4.6, and Chutney's Restaurant at 4.4, both have substantial followings.
Where to stay in Shaftesbury(13)
All hotels in Shaftesbury →
Best Western The Royal Chase Hotel
Royal Chase roundabout, Shaftesbury
Dewberry Cottage Bed and Breakfast
Butterstake Lane, Shaftesbury
Fontmell Magna B&B
Church Street, Shaftesbury
Holbrook B&B
6 Ivy Cross, Shaftesbury
La Fleur de Lys - Restaurant with rooms
Bleke Street, Shaftesbury
The Benett Arms
Semley, Shaftesbury
The Grove Arms
The Grove Arms, Shaftesbury
Three Ivy Cross
3 Ivy Cross, Shaftesbury
Things to Do in Shaftesbury(1)
All attractions in Shaftesbury →Where to Eat in Shaftesbury(3)
All restaurants in Shaftesbury →About eating out in Shaftesbury
The Gold Hill Museum and Garden is the main attraction within the town itself, giving visitors a reason to spend time exploring. Beyond that, Shaftesbury's real appeal lies in its position within the wider Dorset landscape, making it a practical choice for a touring holiday rather than a destination built around a single draw. The range of accommodation, from traditional inns to restaurants with rooms, suggests it caters to visitors looking for a comfortable, unpretentious base with decent food options close at hand.
Attractions Near Shaftesbury
All attractions in Shaftesbury →Worth the trip — within 50 miles of Shaftesbury.
5 mi
Old Wardour Castle
Salisbury · ⭐ 4.7
6 mi
Larmer Tree Gardens
Tollard Royal · ⭐ 4.7
7 mi
Visit Hillbrush
Mere · ⭐ 4.4
9 mi
Hunters Lodge Inn
Wincanton · ⭐ 4.5
9 mi
Stourhead
Warminster · ⭐ 4.8
9 mi
Crazy Monsters
Blandford Forum · ⭐ 4.3
10 mi
Blandford Leisure Centre
Blandford Forum · ⭐ 3.9
11 mi
Laserguys Laser Tag
Blandford Forum · ⭐ 5.0
Camping in Shaftesbury
All campsites in Shaftesbury →
Holyrood Farm Campsite
⭐ 4.8 · from £20/night
Brickyard Farm
⭐ 5.0 · from £35/night
Edwards Farm Glamping
⭐ 5.0 · from £25/night
Woodfrys Farm
⭐ 5.0 · from £140/night
Shaftesbury Country Touring Park
⭐ 4.6 · from £20/night
The Old Forge
⭐ 4.9
Caalm Camp
⭐ 4.9
Lyde Hill Holidays
⭐ 5.0 · from £240/night
Self-Catering Cottages in Shaftesbury
All cottages in Shaftesbury →No. 1
3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £547
St James Cottage
3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £503
Edgecoombe
2 bed · sleeps 5 · from £403
Pond Cottage
3 bed · sleeps 6
Bowling Green Farm
2 cottages · from £786
Triss
3 bed · sleeps 5 · from £857
Fontwood Old Stables
1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £437
Sunnyside
1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £557
Common questions about Shaftesbury
Where can I stay in Shaftesbury?
We list 13 hotels, B&Bs and guest houses in and around Shaftesbury.
What is there to do in Shaftesbury?
We list 1 attractions and things to do in and around Shaftesbury.
Where can I eat in Shaftesbury?
We list 3 restaurants, pubs and cafes in and around Shaftesbury.
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