Places to Stay in Shaftesbury and Gillingham

From chic, boutique hotels to budget-friendly camping, and everything in-between, there are lots of places to stay near Shaftesbury and Gillingham.

Choose to book a homely bed & breakfast, welcoming guest house, cosy cottage, traditional Inn or a luxury lodge. You are spoilt for choice!

Wherever you choose to stay in rural Dorset, you’ll be superbly located to discover coast, countryside and all that Dorset has to offer.

Excellent base

If you want to follow footpaths or cycle trails, go angling, horse-riding or any other outdoor pursuit, north Dorset’s countryside makes the ideal base for your holiday. And many places to stay will welcome your dog too!

Positioned on the edge of the Cranborne Chase and Blackmore Vale, with Wiltshire and Somerset just a hop away, this area has the best of both worlds - countryside on your doorstep, with the famous Jurassic Coast just an hour’s drive away.

Gillingham has a direct rail connection to London, Salisbury and Exeter. And if you’re a touring cyclist, the NCN route 25 runs through the town heading south to Bournemouth on the coast and north to Longleat in Wiltshire.

Market town location

Shaftesbury offers everything right on your doorstep!  By day uncover amazing stories of the town at Shaftesbury Abbey or Gold Hill museums, explore unique shops, stock up at the farmers’ market or follow one of the walking trails which pass through the town. In the evening, enjoy fine-dining restaurants, cosy thatched pubs and bustling bistros, or perhaps catch a show or film at the Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

There are a great selection of hotels, B&Bs and self-catering cottages right in the middle of town. You can even stay in a cottage right on the famous ‘Hovis’ Hill. And because Shaftesbury is so easy to explore on foot, you can leave the car behind for the day.

A rural hideaway

Looking for something peaceful and relaxing? Then tuck yourselves away in Dorset’s tranquil countryside. You’ll find plenty of great accommodation choices. From farm stays with hearty, local produce breakfasts to attractive wooden lodges and traditional stone cottages.

At Whistley Farm near Gillingham, you will find two Scandinavian Lodges (both sleeping 6) and Kelpers Barn, which sleeps 4. All have their own outside space with access to the large grounds where you will find fishing lakes and a pitch and putt golf course. Dogs are welcome in the lodges and Kelpers Barn has a wood burner and underfloor heating – perfect for keeping toasty warm in winter.

You really can get away from it all to recharge your batteries, spend time with loved ones and make treasured memories.  Why not head out and find the local pub to enjoy some delicious food and drink too?

Go self-catering

Looking for the option to eat in or out? Choosing a self-catering accommodation where you can come and go as you please, might be the perfect solution. With your own kitchen, lounge and sometimes a garden, it will be a real home from home, where you can truly relax in your own space.

Or maybe you’d rather get back to nature and cook around a campfire. There is a good selection of camping and caravanning sites in this area where you can surround yourself with Dorset’s beautiful countryside.

Treat yourself

If the thought of cooking your own breakfast on holiday fills you with dread, then why not book a room at one of our B&B’s, Inns or hotels. Rest assured you won’t have to lift a finger during your stay, so sit back and let someone else do the cleaning and washing up!

Some hotels have their own bars and restaurants, making it super easy to enjoy your evening without having to venture too far. Or if you’d prefer to explore the local eateries, choose from fine dining, Asian influences, pub classics or the best of British.