Gold Hill Museum & Garden History

Gold Hill Museum portrays Shaftesbury's unique history, while its charming cottage garden offers spectacular views over the Blackmore Vale.

Nestled in a traditional sandstone cottage at the top of the famous Gold Hill, made famous in the 1970's by the Hovis advert, is the fascinating Gold Hill Museum. The museum building was once a doss house, which provided accommodation for the drovers, jugglers and traders who came to Shaftesbury's markets and fairs.

Local life and history are portrayed here through artefacts, costume, photos, ceramics, tools, domestic items and the town’s first fire engine.
Marvel at the intricate Dorset buttons on display, and the ‘Byzant’, a gold-coloured festival totem that played a central role in the town’s water gathering ceremony. There is even a mummified cat!

We strive to preserve what is best of the town's past while recognising that it is a living vibrant town in the present. A look at the town map shows how little and yet how much has changed.

We actively collect items of the town's history for adding to the museum collections and archives, and are always interested to hear from people who have lived in the town previously or who have relatives who once lived here. Information such contacts provide can extend the records we already have.

Enjoy the Museum's beautiful cottage style garden, a delightful haven within the town, where you can sit and relax. This charming cottage garden has delighted visitors throught out the season. With views over the Blackmore Vale this hidden gem of a garden has won a number of awards.

To complement your visit to Gold Hill Museum, we suggest that you visit Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden first.

Opening Times

Open from 31st March 2007 to 31st October 2007 - Daily from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Open from 21st March 2008 to 31st October 2008 - Daily from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Costs

Adults £2.50, Concessions £2.00, Children £1.00, Family (2+2) £6.00. Visit Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden also, and save £1. Ask for our special Joint Ticket.
Group Booking rates available. Please contact us for more information.

Directions

Shaftesbury is on the junction of the A350/A30. Regular bus services to Blandford, Salisbury, Poole, Bournemouth and Yeovil. National Express provide a daily service to and from London. Nearest train station is Gillingham.

In the centre of Shaftesbury, on the main High Street, is the Town Hall. On either side are walkways to gold Hill. The Gold Hill Museum is at the top of the hill, behind the Town Hall.

Additional Information

Throughout the year we have a full list of events. Please see our website for more information.

As the museum is located in a listed cottage with stairs, we regretfully are unable to accomodate wheel chair visitors on the upper floor.

Group Bookings accomodated (min. 10 people). Group visits can also be made out of normal opening times. Please contact us for more information.

Post a comment

Be the first to comment on this Gem