The following information should tell you everything you need to know to help you plan your visit to our two museums and explore the heritage of the town. If you would like any further details do not hesitate to contact us.

Gold Hill Museum re-opened after major renovation and new building work on 8th July 2011 closing at the end of October.

Shaftesbury Abbey Museum is open daily from 1st April to the end of October (or from Easter Good Friday if earlier).

Our normal opening hours are
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Gold Hill Museum: 10.30am to 4.30pm

When planning your visit we suggest you allow up to 2 to 2½ hours to visit both museums and around 3½ hours to visit the museums and the town (this excludes any guided tour of the town and time for refreshments and meals)

Admission Charges
Gold Hill Museum - Admission is free (donations for the upkeep of the museum are always welcome)
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden - Adult £2.50, Concession £2.00, Child £1.00, Family (2+2) £6.00
Please see below for discounted group booking fees.

The long stay car parks are shown on the map below.

We hope you enjoy your visit.

Directions
Shaftesbury is on the junction of the A350 and the A30 - follow the signs to the town centre and car parks (see the map below). In the centre of Shaftesbury in the High Street is the Town Hall.
Abbey Museum - There is an alleyway on the far right of the Town Hall leading to Park Walk and the Abbey Museum entrance is 100m on the right.
Gold Hill Museum - On either side of the Town Hall are walkways to Gold Hill. The Gold Hill Museum is at the top of the hill behind the Town Hall.
Both museums are within an easy 3 minute walk of each other.
Click here to bring up a Google map

Coach Parking
There is a marked drop-off point and two spaces for coach parking in Bell Street car park. Parking in Bell Street car park cost £2 for 2 hours or £4 for 4 hours and includes a coffee and cake for the driver from one of the many cafes in the town - please buy parking ticket from Shaftesbury Tourist Information Centre located in the car park). There is further parking at Longmead and Coppice Street. The Royal Chase Hotel also offer coach parking from Sunday to Friday (Saturdays by prior arrangement). Please see the map.

Where to Eat
We have produced a small selection from the many places to eat in Shaftesbury. Download the PDF HERE. Information from other places to eat in and around Shaftesbury is available from the Shaftesbury Tourist Information Centre on Tel. 01747 853514.

Click Map To Enlarge

Gold Hill Museum