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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

SP78LB

Umbers Hill

SP78LL

Church Hill

SP78NA

High Street

SP78DY

Lane Side

SP78FH

Byzant Court

SP78UA

Wildflower Lane

SP78AH

Bleke Street

SP78HH

White Hart Lane

SP78DD

Paddock Close

SP78EE

Oxencroft

SP78FS

East Green

SP78GP

Legg Road

SP78HA

St James Street

SP78LW

Well Lane

SP78PL

Longmead

SP78RT

Fairlane

SP77AH

Longmead

SP78LE

Breach Lane

SP78EP

Old Boundary Road

SP78GJ

Mead Way

SP79HD

Littledown

SP78FL

Greenstone Road

SP78JY

Bell Street

SP78PN

Wincombe Lane

SP77AZ

Longmead

SP78DU

Windmill Close

SP78NX

Boyne Mead

SP78RW

Bickley Court

SP78SA

Long Cross

SP78BZ

Pix Mead Gardens

SP78HS

French Mill Rise

SP78HU

Cann Lodge Gardens

SP78JE

High Street

SP78PS

Lindlar Close

SP78RN

Linden Park

SP78FE

Great Ground

SP78HQ

St James Street

SP78ND

Old Boundary Road

SP78QU

Brinscombe Lane

SP78TJ

Vale View

SP78TT

Shaftesbury Town

SP78UG

Fen Violet Alley

SP78LZ

St Edwards Court

SP78NL

Salisbury Road

SP78PH

Christys Lane

SP78AP

The Courtyard

SP78EX

Hawkesdene Lane

SP78JS

High Street

SP78LA

St Johns Hill

SP78RA

Ash Close

SP78SP

Thomas Hardy Drive

SP78BD

Abbey Walk

SP78BL

Mill Place

SP78BP

Bleke Street

SP78DF

Angel Lane

SP78NG

Christys Lane

SP78GY

Coppice Street

SP78JT

Church Lane

SP78EJ

Salisbury Street

SP78EY

Layton Lane

SP78EZ

Shooters Lane

SP78LJ

Horseponds

SP78EQ

Sweetmans Road

SP78LN

The Bartons

SP78GZ

New Road

SP78NS

Butts Mead

SP78QP

Long Cross

SP78TH

Vale View

SP78BA

Bimport

SP78BH

Coronation Villas

SP78GH

Bramble Patch

SP78HD

Kingsman Lane

SP78HP

Laundry Lane

SP78SJ

Charles Garrett Close

SP79JZ

Heathfields Way

SP79QT

Shaftesbury Town

SP78DE

Fountain Mead

SP78JF

Lyons Walk

SP78AR

Bell Street

SP78AZ

Bimport

SP78DB

Higher Blandford Road

SP78FD

Kingsbere Terrace

SP78NU

Hawkesdene Lane

SP78RB

High Street

SP78HX

Angel Court

SP78QJ

Motcombe Road

SP78EU

French Mill Lane

SP78FY

Badger Walk

SP78RU

Gower Road

SP78TL

Christys Lane

SP78AD

Mustons Lane

SP78FB

Downlands

SP78PR

Nettlecombe

SP78BS

Salisbury Road

SP78HF

St James Street

SP78HR

Stoney Path

SP78QN

Christys Gardens

SP79QD

Shaftesbury Town

SP78NP

Lower Blandford Road

SP78QH

New Road

Data Sources

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