Button Cottage on Gold Hill

05/09/2026

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO - ‘A Tiny Cottage in the Most Magical Corner of England’ by clicking the link in the Bio - https://youtu.be/47YP-_2aA_U?is=NoiMWE_eWfUAR3ad

21/08/2026

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Fresh flowers, summer sunshine & the iconic Gold Hill

21/08/2026

Here, we take a stroll along Britain’s prettiest streets to uncover charming architecture, chequered histories and cinematic vistas: https://www.discoverbritain.com/journey-planning/things-to-do/britains-prettiest-streets/

21/08/2026

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Shaftesbury's Gold Hill has landed a fresh endorsement that could bring real value to the local economy, rather than just local pride. Travel title Discover Britain has named it among the country's top ten prettiest streets, and it's the magazine's readership that makes this significant. Discover Britain's audience is largely based overseas, in America, Canada and Australia, made up of the British diaspora and anglophiles planning their next trip home or their first visit to the UK. So this isn't a nod from a domestic guide that locals already know well. It's the kind of feature that puts Shaftesbury firmly on the radar for visitors from across the Atlantic and beyond, people who could be booking flights, hotels and days out on the strength of it.

The magazine describes the cobbled climb as enduring in the public imagination more than 40 years after it starred in the famous Hovis bread advert, directed by a young Ridley Scott, who'd go on to make Blade Runner and Alien. Many, it says, still know it simply as Hovis Hill.

Writer Henrietta Easton points to the street's steep incline, in excess of 16 degrees, and to the 14th-century St Peter's Church at the top, alongside the Gold Hill Museum, with its free admission and prized Byzant, once carried through the town each year to honour the Lord of the Manor of Motcombe for allowing residents to draw water from the village below.

The magazine also highlights the museum's cottage garden, with its views over Blackmore Vale, once home to novelist Thomas Hardy, and calls the classic shot from the top of the hill, looking down over the thatched roofs, one of the most photographed views in the country, also captured on film in the 1967 version of Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd.

Gold Hill shares the list with some equally famous names: Castle Combe in Wiltshire, York's Shambles, Vicars' Close in Wells, Mermaid Street in Rye, Elm Hill in Norwich, Pier Road in Luss, Steep Hill in Lincoln, and Keere Street in Lewes.

28/04/2026

This is such a fun festival and just outside our door - Shaftesbury Food Festival

🧀 🏃🏽🏃🏼‍♀️The legendary Gold Hill Cheese Race is gearing up for Shaftesbury Food Festival 2026 💛

You might wonder how on earth running up one of England’s steepest, most iconic cobbled streets with a 23kg cheese truckle became a tradition … but in Shaftesbury, history has a delicious way of sticking around.

📜 A tradition rooted in medieval life:

Back in the days of Shaftesbury Abbey (founded by King Alfred the Great 👑), the town’s markets were at the heart of community life. They weren’t just for trading … they were vital for pilgrimage routes too.

Cheese played a huge role locally:

* A key part of the local economy
* A symbol of status and prosperity
* So valuable it was almost used like currency
* Farmers even competed to supply the Abbey with their finest wheels.

Fast forward to today and that competitive spirit lives on in the most wonderful, slightly bonkers way possible 💥

🏃🏽🏃🏼‍♀️🏃‍♂️Enter the Cheese Race:

Brave and bold participants of all ages take on the climb up Gold Hill, chasing glory, cheers, and carrying a rather large wheel of cheese.

It’s tradition, teamwork, laughter, and community spirit all rolled into one unmissable festival moment 💫 The heats run all day, starting at 10am with the last race at 3pm 🕒

👉 Fancy taking part? You absolutely should 😉

Sign up here:
🔗 https://www.shaftesbury-food-festival.co.uk/cheese-race

18/04/2026

Such a wonderful event - great family day out

31/03/2026

Thank you NicheCom ❤️

21/02/2026

King Alfred's Kitchen - Shaftesbury is such a lovely place to spend time, meeting friends and enjoying their amazing lunches, teas, cakes and hot drinks.

You get an amazing view down Shaftesbury high street if you find a window seat.

King Alfred's Kitchen, a historic landmark in Shaftesbury, Dorset, United Kingdom.

The building dates back to the 13th century and is recognized for its unique timber framing.

It operates as a cafe and tearoom, occupying a Grade II listed building on the High Street.

The location is part of the picturesque, historic town center of Shaftesbury, known for its hilltop views.

The business has been a popular spot for locals and visitors for generations.

20/02/2026

So looking forward to Tomorrow night - 21st Feb for the Snowdrop Lantern Parade - The Shaftesbury Snowdrops - https://www.shaftesburysnowdrops.org/event-details/snowdrop-lantern-parade-1
See you there.

10/02/2026

Shaftesbury Snowdrop Festival- A lovely celebration - Thank you VisitEngland