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
£76
1 night at 3-star hotel
Shaftesbury in January
Estimated hotel price
£76
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 Eurostar. The train journey from Shaftesbury to Bristol takes 1h 36m and costs around £31 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about £17 for a 1h 49m 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 £9. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about £11 for a journey of 170 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 Eurostar. The train journey from Shaftesbury to Bristol takes 1h 36m and costs around £31 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about £17 for a 1h 49m 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 £9. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about £11 for a journey of 170 miles.

Airports near Shaftesbury

BRSBristol
LHRLondon Heathrow
CWLCardiff Wales

Airlines serving Shaftesbury

KLM
Good (1,435 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,675 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,631 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,013 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,137 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,830 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,058 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,129 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,700 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,449 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,514 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,571 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (888 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,348 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,113 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,629 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,343 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,159 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,424 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,597 reviews)
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Where to stay in popular areas of Shaftesbury

Most booked hotels in Shaftesbury

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Wedgewood Annexe - All the comforts of home
0 stars
Excellent (9.3, Excellent reviews)
£106+
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Lodbourne Farmhouse B&B
4 stars
Excellent (9.1, Excellent reviews)
£135+
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La Fleur De Lys
4 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
£132+
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King John Inn
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
£88+
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Holbrook Bed and Breakfast
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£87+
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The Benett Arms
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£98+
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Hiring a car in Shaftesbury

Expect to pay £1.37 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 £16.41 and £21.88.

Expect to pay £1.37 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 £16.41 and £21.88.