The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Shaftesbury

The town hall was the headquarters of Shaftesbury Borough Council for much of the 20th century but ceased to be local seat of government when the enlarged North Dorset District Council was formed in 1974. It then became the home of Shaftesbury Town Council.

The Blue Coat School in Shaftesbury, also known as William Lush's Blue Coat School, was a significant charitable institution in the town's history. It was one of many "blue coat" charity schools established throughout England to provide education and a better future for poor children. The school was founded through the will of William Lush in 1718. Its purpose was to provide free education, clothing, and apprenticeships to poor boys. The school's original location was in Bell Street, Shaftesbury. A blue plaque now commemorates the site, which is currently known as "The Retreat" at 47 Bell Street. The name "Blue Coat" came from the uniform of blue coats that the students wore, symbolizing their status as recipients of the charity. The school was one of the few places offering free education in Shaftesbury at the time, particularly after a "Free School" on Bimport closed.

In a sustainable move for the time, Wyatt reused much of the fabric from the older church. The old chancel's east window was reinstalled in the new building, and 15th-century stone parapets from the original church were incorporated into the walls of the new north and south aisles. The building is constructed of local green sandstone with Bath stone dressings. It features a western tower with pinnacles The Norman font is the oldest item in the church. It was originally in another church in Cann, Shaftesbury, and was moved to St James's after that church was deconsecrated. It bears an inscription from 1664, likely added by a churchwarden who may have hidden the font during the Commonwealth period.

St. James's Church in Shaftesbury is a historic church with a long-standing connection to the town, particularly the area at the bottom of the hill known as St James, which is considered the oldest part of Shaftesbury. There has been a church dedicated to St. James on this site for nearly 900 years, with the first recorded rector appointed in 1327. The original church was believed to have been built around 1138.The current St. James's Church was almost entirely rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style between 1866 and 1867. The architect was Thomas Henry Wyatt. The rebuilding was necessary because the previous church had become too small and was in a state of disrepair. The Marquis of Westminster, whose family owned a significant amount of land in Shaftesbury, was a major benefactor of the project.

St Peter's Church is the oldest church in Shaftesbury, located at the top of the famous Gold Hill, right next to the ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey. It is a key historic building and a prominent part of the town's landscape. St Peter's Church was originally built in the 14th century to serve pilgrims visiting the nearby Shaftesbury Abbey. Due to economic hardships, such as the Black Death, its construction was prolonged, resulting in a mix of architectural styles, including Decorated and Perpendicular Gothic. The lower part of the tower is the oldest section of the current building. The nave and its arcades are from the 14th century, while the clerestory and the panelled oak roofs were added in the 15th and 16th centuries. The church also features a crypt under its south aisle. Decline and Restoration: By the late 19th century, St Peter's fell into disuse and disrepair. It was even used as a grain store during World War II. In 1971, it was officially declared redundant. However, a major restoration effort was launched by local groups, and in 1977, it was rededicated and became the parish church of Shaftesbury once again. It was the first church in the country to be re-established as a full-time parish church after being declared redundant.

By the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII in 1539, Shaftesbury Abbey was the second wealthiest nunnery in the country. It was the last abbey to be dissolved, and its buildings were systematically destroyed, with locals taking the stone for their own buildings. The ruins we see today are the excavated foundations of the church and other parts of the abbey complex. The current Town Hall was commissioned by Earl Grosvenor and was built in the Neoclassical style between 1826 and 1837. It is a Grade II listed building, recognized for its architectural and historical significance. I came on a thursday and it was a market day. It's wonderful to see these beautiful rural places having such attractive markets.

Once one of the most important and wealthiest nunneries in England. The abbey's ruins, consisting mainly of its foundations and remnants of walls, are located in a peaceful walled garden next to the famous Gold Hill. Shaftesbury Abbey was founded by King Alfred the Great in 888 AD. It was the first religious house in England established exclusively for women, and Alfred's daughter, Æthelgifu, was its first abbess. The abbey grew in wealth and importance, particularly after it became the burial site and shrine of St Edward the Martyr, a Saxon king who was murdered at Corfe Castle in 978 AD. His shrine attracted a large number of pilgrims, which brought significant income to the abbey. By the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII in 1539, Shaftesbury Abbey was the second wealthiest nunnery in the country. It was the last abbey to be dissolved, and its buildings were systematically destroyed, with locals taking the stone for their own buildings. The ruins we see today are the excavated foundations of the church and other parts of the abbey complex. Entry is free, and the lovely volunteers are happy to offer a little tour with some details on the Abbey. It must have looked mightily impressive in its day.

The main attraction of Park Walk is the breathtaking view. From this high vantage point, you can see for miles across the Dorset countryside, a landscape that inspired the works of author Thomas Hardy. The view is so renowned that a panoramic dial is installed on a stone plinth to point out the various landmarks you can see. Park Walk was originally laid out in the 1760s as a fashionable promenade for people to take walks and enjoy the scenery. It was given to the town in 1816 by a landowner named Robert Dyneley. Park Walk is a key part of the "Shaftesbury Loop," a walking route that takes visitors around the town and its surrounding countryside, passing by key historical and scenic spots like Gold Hill and the Abbey. It is a must-visit for anyone in Shaftesbury, offering a peaceful and beautiful place to stroll and take in the magnificent scenery.