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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 49 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
49
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
22.6(-32%)
Anti-social behaviour
18.12(+22%)
Criminal damage and arson
7.21(+11%)
Shoplifting
6.11(-8%)
Vehicle crime
4.26(+47%)
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 169 recent sales, the median property price is £274,345 in Shaftesbury area, with individual transactions ranging from £70,000 up to £1,712,870.

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
Flats15£150,000
Terraced63£231,000
Detached48£402,500
Semi-Detached43£275,000

10 years median price trend in Shaftesbury

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

All postcodes in Shaftesbury

SP78AU

Bleke Street

SP79WL

Longmead

SP79JY

Westminster Close

SP78HP

Laundry Lane

SP78GF

Matty Hull Close

SP78DY

Lane Side

SP78SA

Long Cross

SP78FP

Kavanagh Close

SP79HA

Cranborne Drive

SP79QJ

Wincombe Business Park

SP78HA

St James Street

SP78DB

Higher Blandford Road

SP78FZ

Trinity Road

SP78LX

Tout Hill

SP78QS

Nettlebed Nursery

SP78DS

Ivy Cross

SP78DN

Ivy Cross

SP78PX

Longmead

SP78PT

Beaufoy Close

SP78HF

St James Street

SP78RE

Hawthorn Close

SP78AW

Bleke Street

SP78ET

Great Lane

SP77BN

Longmead

SP78JW

Gold Hill

SP78NT

Hawkesdene

SP78EX

Hawkesdene Lane

SP78BZ

Pix Mead Gardens

SP78TS

Border Close

SP78EE

Oxencroft

SP78JU

The Commons

SP78JS

High Street

SP78RB

High Street

SP78LN

The Bartons

SP78DD

Paddock Close

SP78BF

Longmead

SP78JT

Church Lane

SP78RX

Imber Road

SP78BW

Bimport

SP78SJ

Charles Garrett Close

SP78HS

French Mill Rise

SP78NJ

St Georges Road

SP78FS

East Green

SP78AQ

Armoury Yard

SP78GQ

Bugle Crescent

SP78BP

Bleke Street

SP78DF

Angel Lane

SP78RR

Kingsbere Lane

SP78GP

Legg Road

SP78HD

Kingsman Lane

SP78EF

Meadow Close

SP78TN

Vale View

SP78BJ

Abbey Court

SP78JA

The Commons

SP78DQ

Barton Hill

SP78HL

St James Street

SP78RA

Ash Close

SP78TH

Vale View

SP78EQ

Sweetmans Road

SP78PR

Nettlecombe

SP78JQ

High Street

SP78QJ

Motcombe Road

SP78DL

Christys Lane

SP78ND

Old Boundary Road

SP78LU

Yeatmans Close

SP78RW

Bickley Court

SP78GT

Anstee Road

SP78RH

Springfield Close

SP78FJ

Coppice Street

SP77AT

Longmead

SP78HN

Raspberry Lane

SP78JG

High Street

SP78ES

Lyons Court

SP78GE

Rifles Lane

SP78RT

Fairlane

SP78QL

New Road

SP78HB

Gold Hill

SP78GW

The Bluebells

SP78HR

Stoney Path

SP78BN

Savoy Court

SP78UD

Shaftesbury Town

SP78AZ

Bimport

SP78PF

Coppice Street

SP78AD

Mustons Lane

SP79HD

Littledown

SP78BT

Higher Blandford Road

SP78HX

Angel Court

SP78AG

Victoria Street

SP78EN

Beaufoy Close

SP78DW

Ivy Cross

SP78UB

Wild Iris Avenue

SP78RU

Gower Road

SP78RL

Blackmore Road

SP78HT

Boyne Mead

SP78PU

Longmead

SP78RJ

St Edwards Close

SP78HY

Abbey Close

SP78LH

The Knapp

SP78HW

Tanyard Lane

SP78NG

Christys Lane

Data Sources

All data is sourced from official UK government agencies and public datasets. Last updated: 16/05/2026.