Introduction
What to do
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

Shaftesbury travel guide

Shaftesbury Tourism | Shaftesbury Guide

You're Going to Love Shaftesbury

With a population of 6,813, Shaftesbury is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. Consider staying at least one whole day in Shaftesbury to see all of its attractions.

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When to visit Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury in January
Estimated hotel price
£77
1 night at 3-star hotel
Shaftesbury in January
Estimated hotel price
£77
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Shaftesbury

Plane

Although Shaftesbury doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Bristol Airport (BRS), which is located 35 miles from Shaftesbury. Bristol Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from British Airways, Qatar Airways, American Airlines and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Shaftesbury departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 10m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Shaftesbury, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Shaftesbury to Birmingham takes 1h 28m and costs around £17 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about £39 for a 1h 35m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Shaftesbury is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 96 miles from Shaftesbury. You’ll find branches of Turo and Avis, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Shaftesbury using National Express or FlixBus. From Cambridge, the bus ride to Shaftesbury takes 75 miles and will cost you around £8. From Southampton, the ticket costs about £7 for a journey of 115 miles.

Plane

Although Shaftesbury doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Bristol Airport (BRS), which is located 35 miles from Shaftesbury. Bristol Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from British Airways, Qatar Airways, American Airlines and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Shaftesbury departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 10m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Shaftesbury, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Shaftesbury to Birmingham takes 1h 28m and costs around £17 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about £39 for a 1h 35m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Shaftesbury is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 96 miles from Shaftesbury. You’ll find branches of Turo and Avis, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Shaftesbury using National Express or FlixBus. From Cambridge, the bus ride to Shaftesbury takes 75 miles and will cost you around £8. From Southampton, the ticket costs about £7 for a journey of 115 miles.

Airports near Shaftesbury

BRSBristol
LHRLondon Heathrow
CWLCardiff Wales

Airlines serving Shaftesbury

KLM
Good (1,428 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,612 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,557 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,011 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,075 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,800 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,039 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,678 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,432 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,063 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,500 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,500 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (875 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,326 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,591 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,082 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,334 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,143 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,411 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,396 reviews)
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Where to stay in popular areas of Shaftesbury

Most booked hotels in Shaftesbury

See all
The Grosvenor Arms
4 stars
Excellent (9.1, Excellent reviews)
£92+
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Lodbourne Farmhouse B&B
3 stars
Excellent (9.2, Excellent reviews)
£123+
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La Fleur De Lys
4 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
£120+
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King John Inn
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
£90+
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Holbrook Bed and Breakfast
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£86+
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The Benett Arms
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£98+
View

Hiring a car in Shaftesbury

Hiring a car in Shaftesbury costs £65 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 59% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.36 per litre in Shaftesbury (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £16.27 and £21.69.

Hiring a car in Shaftesbury costs £65 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 59% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.36 per litre in Shaftesbury (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £16.27 and £21.69.