Local Area

Surrounded by Dorset’s picturesque countryside, Shaftesbury Luxury Lodges provides the perfect retreat in which to unwind and escape the stresses and strains of modern life. Our Park is nestled in the Blackmore Vale, just below the historic Saxon hill top town of Shaftesbury.

There’s plenty of space to relax, walk and play, with traditional country pubs and contemporary restaurants within easy reach. This idyllic combination of Holiday Lodges and Boutique Cottage accommodation provides the ideal choice for family breaks, romantic breaks or for catching up with good friends.

Shaftesbury Luxury Lodges offers an ideal base from which to explore some of the country’s most famous landmarks. We have put together a list of the most popular and well-known places to visit as well as a few local hidden gems. We have also included a link to a route map showing you how to get to the various destinations as well as the estimated distances / journey times:

Gold Hill is an iconic landmark in Shaftesbury. The unmistakable steep cobbled street, famous for its picturesque appearance, and the view looking down from the top of the street has been described as “one of the most romantic sights in England.” The image of this view appears on the covers of many books about Dorset and rural England, as well as on countless chocolate boxes and calendars and was brought to life in the famous Hovis television advertisement.

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Gold Hill is just 2 miles from Shaftesbury Luxury Lodges.

How to get there: CLICK FOR ROUTE MAP

Stourhead Estate, a National Trust site on the Wiltshire-Somerset border, is the perfect day out for everyone. Breathtaking 18th century landscaped gardens with lakeside walks, grottoes and classical temples. You can also visit Stourhead House, a Palladian mansion with a fantastic regency library and beautiful art collection. Then, why not climb the 205 steps to the top of King Alfred’s Tower, an amazing red-brick folly, for vistas over Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, or explore one of our Iron Age hill forts. There is also a large National Trust shop and restaurant, as well as an art gallery, pub, ice cream parlour and farm shop.

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Stourhead is just 20 minutes from your Lodge.

How to get there: CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP

Seated atop a hill with panoramic views across the Dorset countryside, Compton Abbas Airfield is quite unlike any airfield you’ve ever seen. You can take a flight or simply watch the flights come and go from the restaurant with outdoor viewing area – perfect for a wake up breakfast, casual lunch or scrumptious afternoon tea. They use locally sourced ingredients where they can, and are often voted the best of their kind in the country.

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Compton Abbas Airfield is just 6 miles from us.

How to get there: CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP

Walk in the footsteps of your Neolithic ancestors at Stonehenge – one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. Explore the ancient landscape on foot and step inside the Neolithic Houses to discover the tools and objects of everyday Neolithic life. Visit the world-class exhibition and visitor centre with 250 ancient objects and come face to face with a 5,500 year-old man.

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Stonehenge is just 30 minutes from us.

How to get there: CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP

Here you can go back in time and experience over 450 years of history exploring Longleat House. Hear ghostly tales of the Grey Lady, marvel at priceless antiques and walk in the beautiful grounds and gardens created by the renowned ‘Capability’ Brown.

The UK’s No.1 Safari Park allows you to stand tall with the giraffes, walk on the wild side with lemurs and get up close with many of Africa and Asia’s majestic animals and some of the planet’s most amazing aquatic creatures at Penguin Island and Ray Bay. Take on the BBC Deadly Adventure and test your mental and physical abilities in the Deadly Challenge, or embark upon the Deadly Safari and track down some of the world’s most incredible predators.

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Longleat is approx. 30 minutes from us.

How to get there: CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP

The Jurassic Coast provides a hugely popular family day out. The layers of sedimentary rock along the Jurassic Coast can be read like a book. They reveal the history of Earth across 185 million years and form a near complete record of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Exploring this immense story takes us on a walk through time across deserts, tropical seas, ancient forests and lush swamps, recorded in rock and laid out along the 95 mile stretch of coast between Exmouth in East Devon and Studland Bay in Dorset.

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The Jurassic Coast is within an hour’s drive of our Park.

How to get there: CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP

Duncliffe Wood is a large (92.16 ha) ancient woodland which stretches over the double summits of Duncliffe Hill as they rise out of the Blackmore Vale. Lying 4.8km (3 miles) west of Shaftesbury, its prominent setting ensures it can be seen for miles around. With superb views across the Blackmore Vale from the summit viewpoint, it is a lovely walk to undertake in all seasons.

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Duncliffe is adjacent to the Park and the best place to begin your walk can be found by clicking the route map link below.

How to get there: CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP

For our mid-high season family guests, the stunning Dorset Coast provides a perfect and popular day-trip option for those perhaps wanting a day at the beach. Sandbanks and Bournemouth Blue-Flag beaches are amongst the best in the country. Or take the chain ferry to Studland and you’ll get more of the same. Once across the water, you can explore further into the Isle of Purbeck, Swanage, Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove and onwards along the entire Jurassic Coastline.

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Sandbanks and Studland beaches are just over an hour’s drive from our Park.

How to get there: CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP

Shaftesbury Luxury Lodges is set in a peaceful, rural location in the foothills of the Anglo-Saxon Hilltop Town of Shaftesbury in Dorset. The perfect retreat from the hectic bustle of your normal daily life. Some guests simply choose to stay with us to escape and unwind – taking in the scenery from the sundeck or taking a stroll around the Park Lake which provides an idyllic backdrop all year round.

The Park Lake is located within the grounds of the main entrance to the Park itself.

Shaftesbury Luxury Lodges – A real hidden gem! Our location provides something for everyone. In all directions and within just a few miles there are breathtaking panoramic views of the Dorset and Wiltshire countryside – A real treat for those who love their photography. Equally, for those who are unfamiliar with the area, the region provides many unexpected surprises. Ask our staff members and they will tell you where to find the best viewpoints.

This Image shows a late summer view towards Melbury Abbas and beyond to the Blackmore Vale viewed from the nearby Compton Abbas.

How to get there: CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP

A Photographer’s dream – stunning views across the Dorset and Wiltshire countryside are plentiful and all within just a few miles of our Park. This view is taken from Spread Eagle Hill looking west towards Sturminster Newton and beyond.

How to get there: CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP

Another great ‘step back in time’ day out for all the family – Corfe Castle and Swanage Steam Railway – 2 great fun and historical experiences for all ages.

Corfe Castle is just under an hour’s drive from us. Swanage is just a few minutes further down the road.

Visit WEBSITE for Corfe Castle

Visit Swanage Railway WEBSITE…

How to get there: CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP