Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden
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Overview
The Abbey at Shaftesbury was part of a nunnery founded by King Alfred in 888. Patronage and pilgrims to the shrine of St Edward helped to make the abbey both rich and famous. It became one of the wealthiest in the country but was destroyed during the Dissolution in 1539. The excavated ruins show the foundations of the abbey church in a peaceful walled garden with an extensive medieval herb collection. The story is told through an audio guide and the use of carved stone and medieval floor tiles and illustrations from ancient manuscripts. Please visit the website for event listings.
Features
- Opening Times
- Opening Times: Open Apr-Oct, daily 10-5
- Facilities
- Parking nearby
- Children
- Suitable for children of all ages
About the area
Dorset is made up of rugged coastlines, high chalk downlands and a chain of picturesque villages and seaside towns that make up Britain’s Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, noted for its layers of shale and numerous fossils embedded in the rock. Hidden gems of Dorset can be found down winding, country lanes that lead to snug villages hidden from view.
Places to eat nearby View all
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
Nearby places to stay
Grosvenor Arms
The Grosvenor Arms is a boutique hotel in Shaftesbury. With Georgian features, contemporary design, and fabulous seasonal menus, it is a quality place to eat, drink and stay in the anci...
The Coppleridge Inn
The Coppleridge Inn is a beautiful country pub with amazing views of the Dorset Countryside. The inn offers high standard, en-suite bedrooms located in a pretty courtyard and delicious ...
Melbury Chalet Deepest Dorset
With glorious views over green fields and luxurious fittings within, Melbury Chalet is a Scandinavian-style, three-bedroom building that makes an excellent base for family or friends. I...
Duncliffe Chalet
With glorious views over green fields and luxurious fittings within, Melbury Chalet is a Scandinavian-style, three-bedroom building that makes an excellent base for family or friends. I...
Duncliffe Chalet at Stour Cross Farm
Superb Scandinavian-style chalets with contemporary interiors and spectacular views, all on a working dairy farm. Duncliffe Chalet has its own private hot tub with fully enclosed gazebo...
King John Inn
Very much the traditional village inn, the King John Inn has so much appeal, located in the sleepy village of Tollard Royal, on the borders of Wiltshire and Dorset. The bedrooms have be...
Hammoon Manor Barn
Hammoon Manor offers luxurious self-catering accommodation, located in the heart of Thomas Hardy’s ‘Vale of Little Dairies’ and two and a half hours from Central London. It's surrounded...
Hammoon Manor Barn
Hammoon Manor offers luxurious self-catering accommodation, located in the heart of Thomas Hardy’s ‘Vale of Little Dairies’ and two and a half hours from Central London. It's surrounded...
