Guidebook for Dorset
Drinks & Nightlife
lively and a bit of a surprise in this quiet town! Bar and snacks along with regular live local music
8 locals recommend
Angola '76
Mustons Lanelively and a bit of a surprise in this quiet town! Bar and snacks along with regular live local music
Food Scene
Ye Olde Two Brewers
24 St James's Stits so convenient and a family friendly pub with decent food
The Grosvenor is nice at anytime of day - a lovely setting, with carefully thought about food and a great happy hour for cocktails
38 locals recommend
The Grosvenor Arms
High StreetThe Grosvenor is nice at anytime of day - a lovely setting, with carefully thought about food and a great happy hour for cocktails
It really specialises in cheese. Good for snacks and coffee and dog friendly if you tuck yourself in the corner on the sofa
Turnbulls Deli
9 High StreetIt really specialises in cheese. Good for snacks and coffee and dog friendly if you tuck yourself in the corner on the sofa
Best Indian food in town. Booking in advance is recommended as they always seem to be busy. They do take away too
24 locals recommend
Chutney's
28 Salisbury StBest Indian food in town. Booking in advance is recommended as they always seem to be busy. They do take away too
Great food to eat and buy. The farm shop has an excellent cafe - the breakfast is great!
29 locals recommend
The Udder Farm Shop
Front StreetGreat food to eat and buy. The farm shop has an excellent cafe - the breakfast is great!
Pythouse Kitchen Garden
lovely setting
The White Lion Inn
High StreetCosy pub with great food
Sightseeing
Beautful views, historical site and museum. The Abbey mad Shaftesbury an important town in the middle ages so has shaped it since
Abbey Walk
Abbey WalkBeautful views, historical site and museum. The Abbey mad Shaftesbury an important town in the middle ages so has shaped it since
Gold Hill
Gold Hillgorgeous!
Longleat
about 45 minutes drive - seriously good day out for the family
a well managed tourist attraction all year round, it is a once in a life time must visit I think and well worth it.
677 locals recommend
Stonehenge
a well managed tourist attraction all year round, it is a once in a life time must visit I think and well worth it.
Old ruin a short drive out of Shaftesbury with pretty and peaceful walks around it and the lake.
73 locals recommend
Old Wardour Castle
Old ruin a short drive out of Shaftesbury with pretty and peaceful walks around it and the lake.
Lovely gardens with surrounding walks and decent cafe. National Trust property so pricey for full entrance but you can walk around the edge for free
276 locals recommend
Stourhead
Lovely gardens with surrounding walks and decent cafe. National Trust property so pricey for full entrance but you can walk around the edge for free
Entertainment & Activities
Gold Hill
Gold Hillall the history of Shaftesbury under one roof
Small airfield with good restaurant where you can watch the light aircraft land and take off
29 locals recommend
Compton Abbas Airfield
Small airfield with good restaurant where you can watch the light aircraft land and take off
Parks & Nature
Lulworth Cove station
Its stunning and unusual.
Ancient fortress/settlement, the shape of the hill is extraordinary - a steep climb, with great views when you reach the top, my children loved this walk when they were young! The Saxon Arms is a nice pub just a short drive along the road for refreshment and recover afterwards.
33 locals recommend
Hambledon Hill
Ancient fortress/settlement, the shape of the hill is extraordinary - a steep climb, with great views when you reach the top, my children loved this walk when they were young! The Saxon Arms is a nice pub just a short drive along the road for refreshment and recover afterwards.
Lovely walks with great views. Its nearly always windy so good for kite flying
14 locals recommend
Win Green
Lovely walks with great views. Its nearly always windy so good for kite flying
Great stretch of beach - takes a good hour to get there and can be very busy
23 locals recommend
Knoll Beach Studland
Great stretch of beach - takes a good hour to get there and can be very busy
Essentials
Tesco Superstore
Christy's Lanesupermarket open everyday with petrol station attached