Shaftesbury, a lovely hilltop town in north Dorset, is teeming with scenic landscapes and charming architecture. Head up to Goldhill and appreciate the beautiful cobbled streets and 18th-century stone cottages as seen in the famous Hovis Ad in 1973. The beauty of Blackmore Vale – the site of Thomas Hardy’s many novels – is stunning, while the picturesque Cranbourne Chase is recognized as the sixth largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK. Also, visit Goldhill Museum, where the town’s history is told in eight exhibits. Another must-see is the bonny ruins of the 14th-century Old Wardour Castle. Contemporary works of artists from the region are exhibited at Shaftesbury Art Center. Before driving home, sample the wines at Melbury Vale Vineyard, located on the south-facing slopes of the scenic Stirkel Valley. For a truly captivating experience, check out our top Airbnb vacation rentals in Shaftesbury, UK.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 12, 2024.
1. Easter Cottage
Easter Cottage is a gorgeous vintage accommodation that sits in the center of Shaftesbury and is just a five-minute walk to Gold Hill.
The striking courtyard has brick walls, fascinating creepers, manicured bushes, and a metal table and chairs. Floral slipcovers, beautifully shaped vases with fresh flowers and plants, and lovely still paintings and decors extend the garden palette indoors. The living area is relaxing, with a classic wood stove and a smart TV with Netflix. Each of the two bedrooms has a serene sophistication – one has a sumptuous king-sized bed and the other twin single beds.
Dorset, England, United KingdomSuperhost
Accommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
sue's cottage is lovely and comfortablethis cottage was even better than we expected as it was also cosy and comfortablehaving tv with access to iplayer etc was great toolovely and welcoming cottage it had everything you need and more for a very comfortable stayCleanliness:
very clean and homelyclean comfortable and welcomingvery clean with everything required for a comfortable staysue’s place was pristinely clean and wonderfully cosynewly done and super cleanHost:
thank you to sue for being a wonderful hostowner was very responsive to any questions and made the stay very welcomingsue is a great hostwonderful place and a lovely host 100% recommendsue was a very considerate and welcoming hostRead more reviewsLocation:
brilliant location for the townthe location was ideal only a 5/10 minute walk to the centregreat location in the center of townwe particularly enjoyed being so close to the oasis swimming poolgreat location fab local tips and comfy beds
2. Cozy little cottage with an enchanting view (from USD 157)
This cozy little cottage is just a walking distance from the center of Shaftesbury, where a splendid view of the rolling hills of Dorset Countryside is found. Additionally, the accommodation is near the site of the historic Shaftesbury Abbey.
A warm welcome awaits guests, with the grandeur of the garden on both sides of the path leading the cottage. Inside, the living area boasts understated elegance, with a leather English sofa and armchairs, a tufted-leather ottoman, and a classic wood stove oven. Both bedrooms have en-suite baths with a glass-in shower. The kitchen is complete, while the smart TV and WiFi add comfort and entertainment.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the beds were comfortable and the amenities were excellent- we had everything we neededthe cottage is well-appointed and comfortableeverything is as described and made our stay very comfortablewe enjoyed breakfast and evening drinks in the courtyard which was lovely and cool following the heatCleanliness:
the cottage was well maintained and clean plus covid issues had also been well thought aboutbeautiful cosy tastefully furnished and clean little cottage very close to the town centre and gold hillleah is great at communicating and everything was sparkling clean with the fire laid ready to lightthe cottage is really sweet and ever so cleanHost:
leah is a great host and replied promptly to any questions we hadleah was super helpful prior and during our stay responding promptly to any messagesamazing host and place highly recommend thank you for everythingleah is a fantastic host and would thoroughly recommendleah is an exceptional and thoughtful hostRead more reviewsLocation:
a great location in shaftesburylocation is perfect for shaftesbury and the local areathe place is a perfect location and so super cosythe bed was comfortable and the quiet location ensured a great nights sleepthis is an adorable cottage in a superb location: right on the scenic walkway
3. Modern ground-floor rental (from USD 88)
This is a self-contained modern ground-floor annex found just 15 minutes from the town center. Just five to seven minutes away is the scenic walking path, and pubs. Located in a quiet residential area, the accommodation is great for two guests and is even safe for solo travelers.
A beautiful French door opens to the generously spaced living area from the lush garden. Inside, an English sofa, blond-wood-toned furnishings, and a flat-screen TV are found in the lounge. The fully equipped kitchen is complete with a fridge/freezer, double oven, microwave, and dishwasher. The peaceful bedroom has a sumptuous king-sized bed with Egyptian cotton bed linens.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
9 to be extremely comfortable well appointed convenient for the town of shaftesbury and in idyllic countrysidethe kitchen is fully stocked which is a nice change from a lot of placesCleanliness:
very clean and well equippedit is clean and spaciousit was spotlessly clean and very comfortablegreat place clean and spaciousit was spotlessly clean with plenty of towels toiletries and information about the accommodationHost:
ruth was a friendly and responsive hostruth is a great host easily contactible if requiredruth and dennis are wonderful hostsparking on property is helpfulruth so kind and helpful as i hadn't stayed in an airbnb beforeRead more reviewsLocation:
fab place great location everything you could wish forvery nice place in a peaceful location but not too far away from local attractionswonderful location especially for a day out in longleatit is an easy 15 min walk to town with some food places even closerthe center of town is just a short easy walk away
4. Historic cottage near Blackmore Vale
This historic cottage found on the border of Blackmore Vale and Cranbourne Chase is an ideal springboard for exploring Dorset woods and Wiltshire’s Nadder valley.
Tufted sofa, lodge-style furnishings and fixtures, and quirky wood carvings add a vintage appeal to the living area. Wood burners are available and central heating is preferred. The low beams, chalk-painted walls, lime render, and other original features add an authentic feel to the cottage. The bedroom is simple and cozy, with feather-down pillows and duvets, while the bath with a tub is relaxing. During winter, the sauna in the garden is available for an additional fee. Pets are allowed downstairs.
Dorset, England, United KingdomAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
this is a very comfortable cosy cottage in a lovely areaquirky comfortable cottage would hope to returnCleanliness:
the place was lovely very clean and cosythe place was as described clean and had everything we needed for our stayHost:
henry was very helpful and quick with answers to any questionsclassy place with outstanding hoststhe surrounding countryside is lovely and henry was a great hostand henry a great host checking you have arrived ok & asking if you need anythinghost was easy to communicate with and the house was amazing would definitely go backRead more reviewsLocation:
really cute place and a great locationgreat location quirky little house super comfy bedgreat place amazing location :) thanks henrygreat location and walking distance to lots of good places for foodexcellent location right in the centre of town
5. Stunning converted coach house (from USD 164)
Found at the foot of Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, this accommodation was previously a coach house built in 1604 and converted into this luxury holiday house. Ideally located, the scenic Blackmore Vale and friendly pubs are just five minutes away.
A one-bedroom and bath accommodation, it is perfect for two travelers looking to explore Shaftesbury and nearby towns. The living area is airy and comfortable. Upstairs, the bedroom has a sumptuous bed with crisp bed sheets while the exposed wood beams give a lodge-like feel. After shopping at the market, enjoy cooking your own food in the complete kitchen.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cottage is very comfortable well-equipped and thoughtfully decoratedlovely cottage very comfortable and well equippedthis is a lovely place with all of the comforts and well supplied kitchena beautiful cozy cottage with a nest-like bedroom overlooking the main living roomthe music room was beautiful clean great amenities we couldn’t have asked for betterCleanliness:
clean cosy and comfortablevery clean and had really nice touches around the house which made it feel really welcomeit was very clean comfortable and stylish - perfect for a few days exploring the shaftesbury areaHost:
the attentive owners are on site and really friendly and helpfulwelcoming friendly hosts with helpful local suggestionswonderful stay hosted by wonderful peoplecaroline is a lovely host and made us feel very welcome providing great tips about the local areathe host caroline (and her family) were really friendly and accommodating it was a real pleasure staying thereRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is perfectclose to the town with some great restaurants and barsfantastic place in a great location for walking and exploring the local arealovely cosy home in a great location for visiting shaftesbury (walking distance) and the surrounding areawe spend a relaxing few days at caroline’s place
6. Barbers Cottage (from USD 144)
Conveniently located in the scenic hilltop town of Saxon of Shaftesbury, this 17th-century cottage has 2 bedrooms and can sleep 5. Cream-toned English loveseats surround the inglenook fireplace. In the dining area, aside from the dining table and chairs, a wingback chair beside the stylish lamp allows you to catch up on your novel. The kitchen has an L-shaped dark granite countertop. Enjoy a refreshing soak in the clawfoot tub in the bathroom.
Stonehenge and Longleat Safari Park are a 20-minute drive from the cottage.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
super comfortable bed and all amenitiesit was very comfortable nicely furnished and a lovely garden for our children to exploreCleanliness:
a beautiful house and spotlessly cleanspacious and clean with a beautiful gardensally's house is beautiful comfortable sparking clean and full of thoughtful touchesit's a beautiful cottage - spacious stylish spotlessly clean and very homelybarbers cottage is just perfect in terms of cleanliness facilities and locationHost:
sally was a superb hostsally is also a fabulous hostcommunication with the host was great; quick to reply and answer any queriessally was a great host - very quick to reply when we had a questionthe house is beautifully decorated and sally a very communicative and helpful hostRead more reviewsLocation:
a central location in shaftesbury perfect for exploring dorsetit is an ideal location for visiting various places in the dorset countrysidewe had a great stay the location is superb walking distance to everything in shaftesburyfantastic comfy and very convenient for central shaftesburythe house is an easy walk to the town and there is safe nearby parking
7. h-century Victorian retreat
This bright, clean, and relaxing accommodation is a refurbished mid-19th century Victorian stone cottage found just a stroll from Shaftesbury center. Relaxingly spacious, the garden is well-manicured, with chairs and a table on the garden patio. Unimposing furnishings such as Belgian roll sofa, cozy armchairs, and vintage-style table and decor adorn the living area. Adding appeal to this accommodation for five is the conservatory, which is enveloped by large glass windows that expose the beauty of the garden.
Gillingham, Dorset, is the nearest rail station from the accommodation. Also, the Jurassic coast is less than an hour away.
8. Luxury hideaway on Gold Hill (from USD 209)
Stay right on Gold Hill, which is one of the most photographed spots in Britain, and experience the spectacular view of the hills of Shaftesbury in Dorset.
A luxury one-bedroom cottage, the ground floor has a spacious open-plan design for the living, dining, and kitchen. Art Deco-inspired furnishings grace the living area. The Windsor chair and round wood dining table in the dining area complement the easygoing look of the complete kitchen. Upstairs is the bright bedroom with a sumptuous king-sized bed. The smart TV, WiFi, and underfloor heating add comfort to the place.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
it was immaculately clean and uncluttered while feeling very cosy and comfortableclean great location and perfect amenitiesthe house was perfectly clean and ready to welcome us and tess has been a fantastic hostHost:
everyone seemed so friendly and helpfultess was the perfect host - checking in was so easy and she kindly left us some provisionsgreat communication with the host and welcome groceries were plentifulRead more reviewsLocation:
lovely location very cosey with a smashing gardenthe house is cozy and in a fantastic locationthe property is well located and shaftsbury is a nice townwhat a great find this place wasa great place to escape london life
9. Spacious apartment with lovely views
This spacious second-floor apartment is a Grade II Listed building found just a walking distance from the town center. With the building facing the south, the enchanting view of Blackmore Vale is visible through every window. Further south is Stonehenge.
The bright living area with dormer windows has a day bed. The kitchen is small but fully equipped, while the bath has a deep-soaking tub. Enjoy a deep sleep in the iron-frame bed in the bedroom. Off-street parking and free parking are only a few minutes away from the accommodation. Note that the ceiling may be a little low for people taller than six feet.
Dorset, England, United KingdomAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
there are amazing views from the apartmenttwo double beds one single and one (optional) mattress on the floor all comfortableshe mentions the lovely views across the beautiful dorset countryside from the rear of the apartmenta lovely spacious comfortable flat with excellent views and caroline is a friendly hospitable hostvery comfortable beds and the place was immaculateCleanliness:
a lovely bright and clean flatvery clean and characterful fabulously well positioned in lovely shaftesburythe apartment is amazing everything you could possibly need super clean and perfect locationa wonderfully clean spacious apartment with wonderful views to the rearHost:
caroline the host goes out of her way to make you feel welcome & at homethe host in good communication toocaroline is a friendly host and goes the extra mile for your staycaroline replied to messages so quickly and gave lots of helpful adviceRead more reviewsLocation:
great location with everything you need within walking distance and many attractions a drive awayreally great flat in a prime locationthe location is perfect for exploring shaftesburywe had a fabulous stay at caroline’s placeideal location and plenty of space for us and the kids in the apartment
10. Mid-terrace country house
The rental is a mid-terrace country house with a handsome private courtyard just a few steps from Gold Hill and Shaftesbury High Street. The beautiful Salisbury Cathedral is a 35-minute drive from the townhouse.
It’s best for couples or those traveling on two; enjoy the privacy and comfort of the townhouse as all the three floors are available during your stay. Leather-upholstered sofas and chairs adorn the roomy living area that also has a flat-screen TV. The kitchen has a lodge-like feel while the patio is wide, with an iron bistro table and chairs.
Dorset, England, United KingdomAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the sofa & armchairs in the living room are very comfortablethe house has all the needed facilities and equipment and is generally very comfortableCleanliness:
place was immaculately clean warm and very comfortablegreat place really clean and comfortable homefabulous house really clean and so convenient for visiting shaftesburyso clean an fabulously locatedthe house was spotless and really lovelyHost:
the host andy was very helpful & communicativeandy was a great host and very helpfulandy is a great host and was easy to communicate witha beautiful place and lovely hoststhe hosts are very accommodating and i would recommend them to anyoneRead more reviewsLocation:
great location within walking distance of the towngreat location and a lovely houseandy’s place is perfectly located to explore shaftesbury and north dorsetnice place in good locationgreat place to stay good location for town
Experience the beauty of Shaftesbury
Renowned as one of England’s prettiest towns, Shaftesbury is easily a wonderful place to visit. Whether you seek scenic cottages and cobbled streets atop a hill, bewitching countryside landscapes, easygoing yet fun activities, or relaxing accommodations near Stonehenge or the Jurassic coast, Shaftesbury is the perfect town for you. So, get ready to drive up the hills and experience this exquisite town.
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