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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 157 recent sales, the median property price is £268,000 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-Detached42£272,500
Terraced59£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

SP78EF

Meadow Close

SP78BT

Higher Blandford Road

SP78GF

Matty Hull Close

SP78LP

Well Lane

SP78LQ

Castle Hill Close

SP78FG

Wincombe Lane

SP78GX

Snowdrop Wynde

SP78QA

Bleke Street

SP78DP

Grosvenor Road

SP78FW

The Rickyard

SP78PQ

Jeanneau Close

SP78UF

Foxglove Crescent

SP77BN

Longmead

SP78DH

Hawkesdene Lane

SP78DN

Ivy Cross

SP78GA

Old Lower Blandford Road

SP78HY

Abbey Close

SP78RD

Blackmore Road

SP78DS

Ivy Cross

SP78EG

St Lawrence Crescent

SP78ET

Great Lane

SP78GQ

Bugle Crescent

SP78RG

Rowan Close

SP78FQ

Hoeller Close

SP78HL

St James Street

SP78HN

Raspberry Lane

SP78HT

Boyne Mead

SP78PF

Coppice Street

SP78RR

Kingsbere Lane

SP77BU

Shaftesbury Town

SP78JR

Park Walk

SP78PE

Angel Lane

SP78PT

Beaufoy Close

SP78TS

Border Close

SP78EB

The Venn

SP78FX

Coles Crescent

SP78SR

Win Green View

SP79HB

Ridge Way

SP78LU

Yeatmans Close

SP78QL

New Road

SP78RH

Springfield Close

SP78TP

Vale View

SP78UB

Wild Iris Avenue

SP79WL

Longmead

SP78FP

Kavanagh Close

SP78FZ

Trinity Road

SP78HJ

Ratcliffs Garden

SP78EN

Beaufoy Close

SP78JH

The Thistles

SP77BJ

Longmead

SP78AQ

Armoury Yard

SP78BQ

Magdalene Lane

SP79LB

Tollgate Park

SP78AA

High Street

SP78NB

Fountain Court

SP78PA

Kings Hill

SP78PX

Longmead

SP78QZ

Linden Park

SP78ED

Saxon Spur

SP78ER

Salisbury Road

SP78PB

St Martin's Lane

SP70NA

Gascoigne's Lane

SP78AW

Bleke Street

SP78DR

Grosvenor Road

SP78GE

Rifles Lane

SP78JQ

High Street

SP78NF

Belmont Close

SP78BJ

Abbey Court

SP78LX

Tout Hill

SP78EH

Sweetmans Road

SP78FU

Indus Road

SP78AJ

Haimes Lane

SP78GR

Mampitts Lane

SP78QX

The Tynings

SP78TU

Hilltop Grove

SP78UD

Shaftesbury Town

SP78NY

St George's Road

SP78PY

Woodman Court

Data Sources

All data is sourced from official UK government agencies and public datasets. Last updated: 16/01/2026.