Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden Heritage

Stand in the footsteps of King Alfred the Great who founded the Abbey in 888AD. The museum vividly brings to life the story of the Abbey and it's inhabitants. The remains of the Abbey are set in a beautiful walled garden.

Explore one site of Saxon England’s foremost Benedictine nunnery, founded by King Alfred, described as one of England’s best-kept secrets.

Perched on a hilltop with extensive views over the gentle undulating Blackmore Vale, Shaftesbury is one of England’s most scenically located and charming historic market
towns. In the centre of the town, in a peaceful setting near to Gold Hill, lie the excavated foundations of Shaftesbury Abbey’s Church.

In 888 Alfred founded the Abbey and it became the model for other royal nunneries. His young daughter, Aethelgifu, was the first Abbess.

For 650 years the Abbey was the most important in the country. Patronage and pilgrims to the shrine of St. Edward, King and Martyr, (the boy-king murdered by his stepmother and brought to the Abbey to rest) helped to make the Abbey rich and famous. Royal visitors include King Canute, Elizabeth, wife of Robert the Bruce and Catherine of Aragon.

Silver winer in the Best Small Museum category of the SWTourism Awards 2008/09, Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden tells the story of this important Abbey from its’ early beginnings through to the Abbeys’ abrupt end in 1539 when it was destroyed on the orders of Henry V111.

Start your journey inside this state-of-the-art museum. Experience the interactive virtual tour showing how impressive the Abbey church would have looked, and a fascinating audio tour which helps to bring this unique story to life. The history of the Abbey is told with the help of carved stonework, tiles and objects found on the site and illustrations from ancient manuscripts.

Outside lie the foundations of the Abbey Church in a peaceful walled garden. Sample the unique aromas of the Anglo-Saxon herb collection of over 100 plants and the orchard in the peaceful walled garden.

After your visit here, wander along to the famous Gold Hill and visit Gold Hill Museum, which complements Shaftesbury Abbey Museum perfectly, and tells the story of life in Shaftesbury after the Abbey dissolution.

Opening Times

From the end of March to 31st October, we are open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Costs

Adults £2.50, Concessions £2.00, Children £1.00, Family (2+2) £6.00.

Visit Gold Hill Museum, Shaftesbury and save £1.00 – Ask for our special joint ticket.

Directions

Nearest major road is A350 / A30.
Once in the centre of Shaftesbury, on the High Street near the Town Hall, there is an alleyway leading to Park Walk. The Abbey entrance is 100m on the right.

Additional Information

We have a free audio tour (including a version for children), a children's quiz, and a gift shop. We also have a variety of events taking place - please see the website for further information.
Group visits can be arranged out of normal opening times and out of season.
Parking for disabled visitors by pre-arrangement.
Dogs on leads welcome.

E-MAIL: user@shaftesburyabbey.fsnet.co.uk
WEBSITE: http://www.shaftesburyabbey.co.uk

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