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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

SP78SP

Thomas Hardy Drive

SP77AZ

Longmead

SP78TU

Hilltop Grove

SP78FD

Kingsbere Terrace

SP78LT

The Knapp

SP78FA

Wincombe Lane

SP78EB

The Venn

SP78JF

Lyons Walk

SP78JY

Bell Street

SP78LL

Church Hill

SP78EW

Victoria Mews

SP78JZ

Bell Street

SP78RZ

Pound Lane

SP78RY

Rutter Close

SP78HZ

High Street

SP78LA

St Johns Hill

SP78JR

Park Walk

SP78EY

Layton Lane

SP78PG

Mampitts Road

SP78RF

Maple Close

SP78UA

Wildflower Lane

SP78GS

Buttons Avenue

SP78GA

Old Lower Blandford Road

SP78NP

Lower Blandford Road

SP79LB

Tollgate Park

SP78ST

Longmead

SP77BJ

Longmead

SP78PS

Lindlar Close

SP78NQ

Christys Lane

SP78PB

St Martin's Lane

SP78TT

Shaftesbury Town

SP78EA

Lane Side

SP78BS

Salisbury Road

SP78ED

Saxon Spur

SP78BH

Coronation Villas

SP78QH

New Road

SP78FW

The Rickyard

SP78GY

Coppice Street

SP78FQ

Hoeller Close

SP78GJ

Mead Way

SP78NF

Belmont Close

SP78DR

Grosvenor Road

SP78AT

Bimport

SP78SR

Win Green View

SP78BA

Bimport

SP78HH

White Hart Lane

SP78NU

Hawkesdene Lane

SP78FB

Downlands

SP78UG

Fen Violet Alley

SP78QN

Christys Gardens

SP78FG

Wincombe Lane

SP78NL

Salisbury Road

SP78FX

Coles Crescent

SP70NA

Gascoigne's Lane

SP78NE

St Rumbolds Road

SP78LF

Breach Lane

SP78GL

Marabout Road

SP78BY

Salisbury Road

SP78AX

Bimport

SP78BG

Love Lane

SP78PY

Woodman Court

SP78QZ

Linden Park

SP78LY

Gold Hill

SP78RN

Linden Park

SP78BD

Abbey Walk

SP78LP

Well Lane

SP78QA

Bleke Street

SP78LE

Breach Lane

SP78LD

Breach Lane

SP78GR

Mampitts Lane

SP78JE

High Street

SP78RG

Rowan Close

SP78AY

Bimport

SP78SL

Brionne Way

SP78DJ

Barton Hill

SP78PJ

Wincombe Lane

SP78PH

Christys Lane

SP78GX

Snowdrop Wynde

SP78FN

Mampitts Lane

SP78FE

Great Ground

SP78RD

Blackmore Road

SP78PQ

Jeanneau Close

SP78LW

Well Lane

SP78RP

Deansleigh Park

SP78NX

Boyne Mead

SP79JZ

Heathfields Way

SP78QU

Brinscombe Lane

SP78LR

Yeatmans Lane

SP78FH

Byzant Court

SP78FR

Maple Road

SP78HE

St James Street

SP78PN

Wincombe Lane

SP78QR

Church Hill

SP78NS

Butts Mead

SP78FF

Great Ground

SP78PW

Ten Acres

SP78EH

Sweetmans Road

SP78TP

Vale View

SP78PE

Angel Lane

SP78AP

The Courtyard

Data Sources

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