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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

SP79QD

Shaftesbury Town

SP78NA

High Street

SP78GD

Caldwell Close

SP79HB

Ridge Way

SP78NB

Fountain Court

SP70LT

French Mill Lane

SP78LQ

Castle Hill Close

SP78PP

Ten Acres

SP78DH

Hawkesdene Lane

SP78NW

Butts Knapp

SP78AH

Bleke Street

SP78UH

Shaftesbury Town

SP78GN

Reynolds Rise

SP78PA

Kings Hill

SP78BB

Abbey Walk

SP78DZ

Lane Side

SP78BE

Langfords Lane

SP78QW

New Road

SP78LG

The Butts

SP78TR

Vale View

SP70RR

Longmead

SP78AB

Layton Lane

SP78LS

Sally Kings Lane

SP78EG

St Lawrence Crescent

SP77AH

Longmead

SP78EJ

Salisbury Street

SP78TJ

Vale View

SP78DX

Crookhays

SP78GH

Bramble Patch

SP78QX

The Tynings

SP79QT

Shaftesbury Town

SP78NR

Lower Blandford Road

SP78UF

Foxglove Crescent

SP78HG

St Johns Hill

SP78SW

Burton Close

SP78TL

Christys Lane

SP78FU

Indus Road

SP78FL

Greenstone Road

SP78LZ

St Edwards Court

SP78FY

Badger Walk

SP77BU

Shaftesbury Town

SP78AE

Bell Street

SP78GZ

New Road

SP78DT

Homefield

SP78JP

Park Lane

SP78NY

St George's Road

SP78GG

Castle Gardens

SP78DU

Windmill Close

SP78AJ

Haimes Lane

SP78AL

Parsons Pool

SP78EP

Old Boundary Road

SP78JH

The Thistles

SP78PD

Coppice Street

SP78HJ

Ratcliffs Garden

SP78EU

French Mill Lane

SP78NH

St Georges Road

SP78ER

Salisbury Road

SP78EZ

Shooters Lane

SP77BA

Longmead

SP78HU

Cann Lodge Gardens

SP78LB

Umbers Hill

SP78QD

Wincombe Lane

SP78QP

Long Cross

SP78AA

High Street

SP78PL

Longmead

SP78LJ

Horseponds

SP78AR

Bell Street

SP78BL

Mill Place

SP78BQ

Magdalene Lane

SP78DP

Grosvenor Road

SP78FT

Greenacre Way

SP78DE

Fountain Mead

SP78GB

Allen Road

SP78SN

Melbury Way

SP78EL

Salisbury Street

SP78PZ

Wincombe Lane

SP78ZT

Longmead

SP78HQ

St James Street

Data Sources

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