Travel & Transport

Shaftesbury does not have its own railway station, but is well served by two nearby stations on the South Western Railway line between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids.

• Gillingham (Dorset) — approximately 5 miles south of Shaftesbury. Regular services to London Waterloo (around 2 hours), Salisbury (30 minutes), and Exeter (1.5 hours). Taxi services are available from the station forecourt.
• Tisbury — approximately 10 miles east of Shaftesbury. Also on the Waterloo to Exeter line with similar journey times.

Plan your journey at nationalrail.co.uk or use the Trainline app for tickets.

Shaftesbury is served by several bus routes connecting to surrounding towns and cities.

• South Western Falcon X2 — connects Poole, Blandford Forum, Shaftesbury, and Bristol. A useful long-distance route for reaching the town from the south coast or the Bristol area.
• Local services — connect Shaftesbury with Gillingham, Blandford Forum, Sturminster Newton and other local towns. Check with local operators for timetables.

The main bus stops are located on the High Street in the town centre.

Shaftesbury sits at the junction of the A30 and A350, making it easily accessible by road from many directions.

• From London — approximately 2.5 hours via the M3 and A303, then A350 northbound. Around 115 miles.
• From Bristol — approximately 1.5 hours via the A37 and A350 southbound. Around 55 miles.
• From Bournemouth — approximately 1 hour via the A350 northbound. Around 35 miles.
• From Salisbury — approximately 30 minutes via the A30 westbound. Around 20 miles.

Shaftesbury has several public car parks within easy walking distance of the town centre.

• Bell Street Car Park — centrally located, pay and display. Short walk to the High Street and Gold Hill.
• Coppice Street Car Park — convenient for the town centre with short and long-stay options.
• Angel Lane Car Park — close to the High Street with pay and display parking.

Most car parks operate pay and display. Check signage for current tariffs and time restrictions. Some on-street parking is also available with limited waiting.

Electric vehicle charging points are available in and around Shaftesbury.

• Public charging points are available at selected car parks in the town — check apps such as Zap-Map for the latest locations and availability.
• Several hotels and B&Bs in the area also offer guest charging facilities.

The EV charging network in the area is growing. We recommend checking Zap-Map or Open Charge Map for up-to-date charger locations and connector types before you travel.

Shaftesbury is a compact and walkable town. The town centre, including the famous Gold Hill, is easily explored on foot. Do note that as a hilltop town, some streets are steep!

• The town is surrounded by beautiful countryside in the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with numerous footpaths and bridleways.
• Cyclists can enjoy quiet country lanes and bridleways in the Blackmore Vale and surrounding areas. The terrain is hilly but rewarding.
• The Wessex Ridgeway long-distance path passes near the town, offering excellent walking opportunities.