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Shaftesbury

Interactive map displaying Shaftesbury

About

Shaftesbury sits on a prominent greensand ridge in north Dorset, overlooking the low-lying fields of the Blackmore Vale. Streets rise steeply from the town centre, where timber-framed houses and narrow lanes follow a medieval plan. Gold Hill, a steep cobbled street that appears in the 1973 Hovis bread advertisement, frames one of the best views across the vale and draws many visitors. From the crest, sightlines open across farmland; the town's position has shaped its streets, terraces and the placement of civic buildings.

The site of Shaftesbury Abbey occupies the high ground and marks the town's Saxon origins; earthworks and fragments remain alongside a museum and interpretation panels. A market tradition and independent shops remain in the centre, while public paths run out from the high street onto the ridge and into surrounding countryside. Local events and smaller museums reflect trade and agricultural history rooted in the vale below, and the town serves as a focal point for nearby villages.

Area overview

On average Shaftesbury has moderate deprivation and moderate crime levels, with around 51 crimes per 1,000 residents per year. Approximately 14.8% of homes in this area are social housing provided by a local council or housing association. The average income per household in Shaftesbury is £52,672 per year. There are 3 schools in Shaftesbury: 2 primary (0 Outstanding and 2 Good) and 1 secondary (0 Outstanding and 1 Good). Shaftesbury is home to around 9,160 people, with a population density of about 2,038.4 per km2.

Crime rate
4/10
Crimes per 1k residents
51
Deprivation level
5/10
Income level
6/10
Social housing
14.8%
Connectivity
N/A

Area Profile

Shaftesbury Population
9,160
Population density
2,038.4 per km²

Crime

Crime per 1,000 population

Violence and sexual offences
23.58(-28%)
Anti-social behaviour
18.78(+24%)
Criminal damage and arson
8.62(+32%)
Vehicle crime
4.91(+69%)
Shoplifting
4.59(-31%)
South West average

Demographics

Ethnic groups

British
8,396
91.69%
Other White
386
4.22%
Other Asian
52
0.57%
White and Asian (mixed)
44
0.48%
Chinese
41
0.45%
Total population: 9,157

Economics

Education (age 16+)

Level 4+ (Degree)
2,117
28.25%
Level 3 (A level)
1,471
19.63%
Level 2 (GCSEs 9-4)
1,213
16.19%
No qualifications
1,178
15.72%
Level 1 (GCSEs 3-1)
809
10.8%
Total 16+ residents: 7,494

Housing

Housing tenure

Owns outright
1,563
37.79%
Owns with a mortgage
1,027
24.83%
Private landlord or letting agency
695
16.8%
Other social rented
607
14.68%
Shared ownership
98
2.37%
Total households: 4,136

Property prices in Shaftesbury

Based on 160 recent sales, the median property price is £269,000 in Shaftesbury area, with individual transactions ranging from £70,000 up to £990,000.

Price distribution per property type (last year)

Price distribution by property type for Shaftesbury in the last year.

Median sale price and percentiles per property type (last year)

Median sale price, sales count, and percentile information for each property type in Shaftesbury over the last year.
TypeSalesMedian
Detached41£380,000
Flats15£150,000
Semi-Detached43£270,000
Terraced61£225,000

10 years median price trend in Shaftesbury

Ten year median sale price trend for each property type in Shaftesbury.

All postcodes in Shaftesbury

SP77AT

Longmead

SP78TN

Vale View

SP78QD

Wincombe Lane

SP78GN

Reynolds Rise

SP78AB

Layton Lane

SP78UH

Shaftesbury Town

SP78BN

Savoy Court

SP78DT

Homefield

SP78HG

St Johns Hill

SP78HW

Tanyard Lane

SP78LS

Sally Kings Lane

SP78PD

Coppice Street

SP78SL

Brionne Way

SP79QJ

Wincombe Business Park

SP78AG

Victoria Street

SP78FR

Maple Road

SP78GL

Marabout Road

SP78JZ

Bell Street

SP78LT

The Knapp

SP78NW

Butts Knapp

SP78PZ

Wincombe Lane

SP78SN

Melbury Way

SP78JW

Gold Hill

SP78PJ

Wincombe Lane

SP78EA

Lane Side

SP78FJ

Coppice Street

SP78NR

Lower Blandford Road

SP78NT

Hawkesdene

SP78AL

Parsons Pool

SP78AY

Bimport

SP78BB

Abbey Walk

SP78FF

Great Ground

SP78NH

St Georges Road

SP78RX

Imber Road

SP78RY

Rutter Close

SP79HA

Cranborne Drive

SP78BF

Longmead

SP78BY

Salisbury Road

SP78EL

Salisbury Street

SP78GD

Caldwell Close

SP78GS

Buttons Avenue

SP78PG

Mampitts Road

SP78AT

Bimport

SP78NE

St Rumbolds Road

SP78RP

Deansleigh Park

SP78PU

Longmead

SP78AE

Bell Street

SP78DL

Christys Lane

SP78DW

Ivy Cross

SP78JA

The Commons

SP78JU

The Commons

SP78NQ

Christys Lane

SP78RF

Maple Close

SP78AX

Bimport

SP78BW

Bimport

SP78HB

Gold Hill

SP78LH

The Knapp

SP78RL

Blackmore Road

SP78ZT

Longmead

SP78QS

Nettlebed Nursery

SP78ST

Longmead

SP78BG

Love Lane

SP78EW

Victoria Mews

SP78HZ

High Street

SP78TR

Vale View

SP77BA

Longmead

SP78DX

Crookhays

SP78LR

Yeatmans Lane

SP78PP

Ten Acres

SP78RZ

Pound Lane

SP78JP

Park Lane

SP78LD

Breach Lane

SP78LG

The Butts

SP78NJ

St Georges Road

SP78PW

Ten Acres

SP70LT

French Mill Lane

SP70RR

Longmead

SP78AU

Bleke Street

SP78GB

Allen Road

SP78LF

Breach Lane

SP78QW

New Road

SP78SW

Burton Close

SP78DJ

Barton Hill

SP78ES

Lyons Court

SP78FN

Mampitts Lane

SP78DQ

Barton Hill

SP78DZ

Lane Side

SP78GT

Anstee Road

SP78RE

Hawthorn Close

SP78RJ

St Edwards Close

SP78BE

Langfords Lane

SP78FA

Wincombe Lane

SP78HE

St James Street

SP78JG

High Street

SP78LY

Gold Hill

SP78QR

Church Hill

SP79JY

Westminster Close

SP78FT

Greenacre Way

SP78GG

Castle Gardens

SP78GW

The Bluebells

Data Sources

All data is sourced from official UK government agencies and public datasets. Last updated: 01/01/2026.