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.
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Duncliffe wood
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.
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Stourhead House The National Trust
High StreetNational 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.
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Larmer Tree Gardens
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.
Abbey Walk
Abbey WalkGreat 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.
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Stonehenge
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.
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Vanha Wardourin linna
English Heritage property. 14th century castle ruin. Advance booking essential even for members.
Good place to visit for some local history.
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Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden
Park WalkGood place to visit for some local history.
Made famous by the Hovis advert, the picturesque Gold Hill is a must visit photo opportunity.
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Gold Hill
Gold HillMade 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.
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Sculpture by the Lakes
Beautiful setting, stunning sculptures and delicious food all in one place.
Beautiful cathedral currently hosting a Grayson Perry exhibition.
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Salisbury Cathedral
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.
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The Red Lion Inn
North StreetA 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.
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The Grosvenor Arms
High StreetShort walk from the cottage. Nice bar area for a drink or meal. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mitre
23 High StGreat 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.
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Pythouse Kitchen Garden
Lovely setting. Delicious food. Booking required. Check website for opening hours.
The Fontmell
Nice country pub. Great Sunday roast.
The Forester Inn
Lower StreetExcellent food. Book well in advance.
Lovely deli. Eat in or take away. Delicious salads, quiches, charcuterie, cakes and a cheese room!
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Compton McRae
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.
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The Beckford Arms
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.
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The Salt Cellar
2-4 Gold HillPerfectly 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 StDelicious 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.
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Ansty P Y O & Farmshop
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.
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Shaftesbury Oasis Swimming Pool
Barton HillOutdoor 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 StreetWe 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.
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Kingsettle Antiques
Station RoadGreat 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.
Dairy House Antiques
Station RoadGreat antiques shop with three floors to explore.