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Gold Hill Museum

Gold Hill
Shaftesbury
DORSET
SP7 8JW

Telephone: +44 01747 852157

About

*LATEST UPDATE* As we have insufficient volunteer stewards available we are having to close for the 2020 season on Saturday 29 August. Sorry for any disappointment.

Gold Hill Museum and Garden can be found at the top of picturesque Gold Hill, with its steeply inclined cottages and cobbled surface. The hill has featured in countless calendars and in the perennially popular Hovis “Boy on a Bike” advert filmed by Ridley Scott in 1973.

Gold Hill Museum is set in two historic buildings. One was once a priest’s house and still has a ‘squint’ through the wall to neighbouring St Peter’s Church; the other provided basic lodgings for traders at the market on Gold Hill. The secluded, award-winning garden offers a magnificent view over Thomas Hardy’s Blackmore Vale and seats for quiet contemplation in sun and shade.

Six light and airy galleries on two floors tell the story of Shaftesbury and District from the days before the foundation of town and Abbey by Alfred the Great. Among the artefacts on display are the unique Byzant, carried during annual celebrations of the securing of the water supply, so vital to a hilltop town; Dorset’s oldest fire engine, dating from 1744; fine lacework and costumes; handmade Dorset buttons; and a mummified Dorset cat.

Entry to Gold Hill Museum is free, though donations are welcome. All our rooms, including a further two used for temporary exhibitions and our Education Room, are accessible to wheelchair and buggy users.

An Explorer’s Quiz and baskets of activities in Rooms 2 and 4 are available for younger visitors. Six Dorset Button Mice hide in display cases, waiting to be discovered by visitors of all ages. Locally sourced gifts and books are on sale in the Museum Shop, while visitors may browse in our second-hand book corner. The nearest café is within twenty yards of the Museum gate, and other cafes, coffee shops and pubs are less than two minutes’ walk away in the High Street.

Gold Hill Museum is owned and managed by volunteers of The Shaftesbury & District Historical Society, registered charity no. 1156273. Further details on our website www.goldhillmuseum.org.uk

Opening Times

Opening (1 April 2021 - 31 October 2021)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	10:30	- 16:30*

* *LATEST UPDATE* Because we need 50% more volunteer stewards than normal, and have in fact far fewer available, we are having to close from 2.30p.m. on Saturday 29 August 2020. Sorry for any disappointment. We hope to re-open for the Shaftesbury Snowdrop Festival in February 2021, and for the main season in April 2021.

Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

Guide Prices

Ticket Type	Ticket Tariff
Free Admission	Free

Admission is free, however donations are very welcome.

Website

Telephone: +44 01747 852157

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

294 reviews

Travelers Choice 2020

Excellent
181
Very Good
101
Average
12
Poor
0
Terrible
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Recent Reviews:

horndeanhermit
It's free & imfomative, so it naturally gets 5/5
Tuesday, 25th February 2020
Nice little stop to make if you want to get a feel for Shaftsbury before you start wandering about. Situated right at the top of Gold (Hovis) Hill. Friendly, knowledgeable staff in there too. Plenty... Read full review
777sedwds
Shaftesbury, United Kingdom
Interesting local museum, free entry
Friday, 6th March 2020
Full of interesting local information and objects. Small pretty garden as well. Worth spending an hour or so learning about the local lifestyle in days gone by. Read full review
Georgiejames123
Bristol, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Family
Hidden Gem
Wednesday, 30th September 2020
Great little museum with lots of local information. There was a treasure hunt on for the children which really helped keep the little ones entertained. Lovely staff, free entry and a recommend... Read full review

Write a review

Facilities

Accessibility

All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
Guide Dogs Permitted
Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors - Drop off at front of Museum
Ramp/Level Access - Lift to First Floor
Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Attraction Facilities

Shop

Establishment Features

Conference facilities
Dogs Accepted - On leads
Event venue

Key Features

Approx length of visit - 01:00
In town/city centre
Indoor Attraction
Max group size - 40
No Smoking Attraction
Open by appointment outside normal opening times

Parking & Transport

On Bus Route

Payment Methods

Blue Badge Guides admitted free
Can be packages by 3rd parties
Min group size - 10
TIC Staff Admitted Free

Specialist Features

Family Fun
Marketed towards children
Marketed towards families
Marketed towards senior citizens
Marketed towards student/youth

Tours and Demonstrations

Educational Visits Accepted
Guided Tours Available for Groups - By appointment
Guided Tours Available for Individuals - By appointment

Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted - Pre-booking essential. Max number 50 (can split groups with Shaftesbury Abbey Museum)

Map & Directions

View Map

Road Directions

Shaftesbury is at the junction of the A350 and A30 – please follow the signs to the town centre and car parks. There are a marked drop-off point and two free spaces for coach parking in the Bell Street car park. Five minutes’ walk from Bell Street round into the High Street will bring you to the Town Hall, where access to Gold Hill is via steps to the left or quite a steep cobbled ramp to the right.

Public Transport Directions

Bus services from Yeovil, Salisbury, Blandford, Poole and Bournemouth. National Express coaches provide a daily service to and from London. Nearest railway station is Gillingham - 5 miles. Taxi or local bus service to Shaftesbury, alight Town Hall.

Website

Telephone: +44 01747 852157

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Gold Hill Museum

About

Opening Times

Guide Prices

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

Recent Reviews:

Facilities

Accessibility

Attraction Facilities

Establishment Features

Key Features

Parking & Transport

Payment Methods

Specialist Features

Tours and Demonstrations

Venue Facilities

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Public Transport Directions

What's Nearby

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