Shaftesbury is a browser’s and historian’s treasure trove with a wealth of traditional shops, regular markets, secondhand books and antiques. Take a step back in time and discover the story of Shaftesbury’s past by visiting the Shaftesbury Town Museum. Ever-popular is the unrivalled small plane-watching opportunities at Compton Abbas Airfield. Shaftesbury Arts Centre & Gallery has art exhibits, stage productions and films showing every week and well worth a peek. Visit the Larmer Tree Gardens where the ornate buildings, majestic trees and intimate arbours can be enjoyed by all. Farmers Markets are held every first Saturday in every month.
The nearest beaches are on the south coast between Weymouth, Bournemouth & Poole with a huge choice of family beaches.
There are a wide range of restaurants catering for all with traditional a la carte restaurants, Italian, Chinese and Indian. Traditional coaching inns and pubs with real ales offer an alternative with superb bar menu and Sunday roasts, locally sourced and freshly cooked produce. High quality 14thC tearooms and good value with Sunday lunches a speciality and located at the top of Gold Hill is The Salt Cellar with spectacular views.
Dorset Arts Weeks is part of the largest Art event in the country with over 300 venues and 600 artists taking part. Early May sees the Shaftesbury Local Food Feastival and Gold Hill Fair is in early July with Shaftesbury Carnival at the end of September.