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Shaftesbury Dorset Photographs
Below are the photos currently available. All images are available in larger versions. This site is updated often so please check back soon.
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Title: Town Hall
Place: Shaftesbury
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About: The impressive Shaftesbury Town Hall. The Town Hall was built by Earl Grosvenor after he discovered that the former one had been demolished to widen the road.
Photograph Added: 29th November 2005
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Title: Hovis Loaf
Place: Shaftesbury
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About: The writing states: This Loaf was made in 1980. to help raise money for the restoration of Gold Hill's ancient cobbled surface and the repair of the 700 year old Abbey Buttress Walls. Gold Hill has fe......
Photograph Added: 28th November 2005
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Title: Gold Hill
Place: Shaftesbury
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About: Used in many TV adverts and programs, Gold Hill is most famous as the setting for the memorable Hovis Bread advertisement.
Photograph Added: 26th November 2005
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Title: Countryside
Place: Shaftesbury
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About: Looking out over the Dorset countryside from Shaftesbury. The beauty of the surrounding Dorset countryside is complemented by the collection of fine historical buildings that can be seen in the centre......
Photograph Added: 25th November 2005
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About Shaftesbury Dorset.
Shaftesbury is located in North Dorset on the A30 road near the Wiltshire border and only twenty miles west of Salisbury. The town looks out over the Blackmore Vale, and it is possible to see at as far as Glastonbury Tor to the north-west and also the Isle of Purbeck to the south.
At over 750 feet above sea level Shaftesbury has always commanded a strategic position overlooking the surrounding countryside, the Saxons first founded a hilltop town here and King Alfred, of burnt cakes fame, founded an Abbey for his daughter in the town. Shaftesbury grew up around the abbey during the late Saxon period it gained in importance. Another famous British monarch, King Canute died at Shaftesbury in 1035. During the medieval period the Abbey was a popular destination for pilgrims who came to see the shrine of St. Edward. In 1260 Shaftesbury was granted a charter to hold a weekly market, and in 1392 that was expanded to two markets. During the 18th and 19th centuries the main source of employment was buttonmaking and weaving. When the craft of button making became mechanised this caused a lot of unemployment and many people left the area some even emigration. Another problem for the town come with the coming of the railway up until this time the five turnpikes which met at Shaftesbury ensured that the town had a good coaching trade. The railway did not stop at Shaftesbury, and this greatly infuenced the subsequent pattern of its growth.
The town is especially famous for, Gold Hill, a steep cobbled street which has featured on the cover of countless books about Dorset and rural England. In 1973, Gold Hill was also used as the location for the famous "Boy on a bike" advertisement, directed by Ridley Scott for Hovis bread. In 1980 a large Hovis loaf was erected at the top of the hill and the inscription reads This Loaf was made in 1980. to help raise money for the restoration of Gold Hill's ancient cobbled surface and the repair of the 700 year old Abbey Buttress Walls. Gold Hill has featured in many films and television productions - the Hovis Bread advertisement probably the most well known. Rank Hovis generously donated £10,000 towards the £75,000 required to finance the restoration work. NDDC (North Devon District Council) also gave £10,000 and the balance was raised by public donation and local fundraising, under the Mayors Gold Hill restoration appeal.
Shafesbury features in Thomas Hardy's books as Shaston and is of particular significance in Jude the Obscure.
In 2002 Shaftesbury won a silver in the national finalists in the "Britain in Bloom" competition and the town is usually resplendent in flowers of many different kinds.
The wonderful old buildings, the views form its lofty position and the chance to walk up and down or just admire Gold Hill make Shafesbury a must see place.
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