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 November
Estimated hotel price
£84
1 night at 3-star hotel
Shaftesbury in November
Estimated hotel price
£84
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 Oxford takes 1h 06m and costs around £19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Cambridge, expect to pay about £17 for a 1h 28m 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 Rentacar, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Shaftesbury using National Express or FlixBus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Shaftesbury takes 135 miles and will cost you around £8. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about £7 for a journey of 145 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 Oxford takes 1h 06m and costs around £19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Cambridge, expect to pay about £17 for a 1h 28m 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 Rentacar, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Shaftesbury using National Express or FlixBus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Shaftesbury takes 135 miles and will cost you around £8. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about £7 for a journey of 145 miles.

Airports near Shaftesbury

BRSBristol
LHRLondon Heathrow
CWLCardiff Wales

Airlines serving Shaftesbury

KLM
Good (1,443 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,754 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,705 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,128 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,208 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,864 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,099 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,215 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,727 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,528 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,490 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (895 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,667 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,674 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,375 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,174 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,356 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,148 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,440 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (381 reviews)
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Where to stay in popular areas of Shaftesbury

Most booked hotels in Shaftesbury

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The Grosvenor Arms
4 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
£92+
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Wedgewood Annexe - All the comforts of home
0 stars
Excellent (9.1, Excellent reviews)
£88+
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Lodbourne Farmhouse B&B
4 stars
Excellent (9.1, Excellent reviews)
£113+
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The King John Inn
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
£75+
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The Coppleridge Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
£126+
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The Benett Arms
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£96+
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Hiring a car in Shaftesbury

Hiring a car in Shaftesbury costs £30 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 19% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.30 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 £15.49 and £20.65.

Hiring a car in Shaftesbury costs £30 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 19% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.30 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 £15.49 and £20.65.