The booking via Sykes was very 'user-friendly', done very easily by helpful and friendly staff, and follow up emails quick and efficient.
Mrs Kirby, Tilbury, Essex, April 2013
The ease with which the booking was made. The person I spoke to was friendly and helpful. The booking process was simple.
, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taff, April 2013
Just Show Me Shaftesbury Cottages
Anyone who was around in 1973 will immediately recognise Shaftesbury as the setting for that famous Hovis Bread TV commercial, where a young boy pushes his bike laden with loaves up a steep, cobbled street (watch it on YouTube if you missed it!). This will give you a good inkling of what to expect when you book a Shaftesbury cottage as nothing much has changed - indeed, not much since the 18th Century.
Brimming with fine historical buildings, the best way to explore this hilltop Saxon settlement is to follow the Shaftesbury Heritage Trail. Start anywhere in town and look out for heritage panels and blue plaques displaying local information. Gold Hill (or 'Hovis Hill') plays its part and you can visit Gold Hill Museum at the top, as well as Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden, set on the site of a Saxon Benedictine Abbey. The views from the top are amazing, sweeping over Blackmore Vale and neighbouring counties of Wiltshire and Somerset.
There are lots of shops to potter and browse, from antiques and second-hand books to quirky gifts, plus a selection of pubs, cafés and restaurants. Thursday is market day and there's a monthly farmers' market. It's also worth checking out any local festivals and carnivals, or plays and exhibitions at the Shaftesbury Arts Centre.
Bath, Bournemouth, Stourhead, Stonehenge and Longleat are all within an hour's drive, while Compton Abbas Airfield and Aviation Museum is closer still. Or head deep into glorious countryside along the many walking and cycling trails of Cranborne Chase and Blackmore Vale.
Find out for yourself and book a Shaftesbury cottage soon!
Showing 27 cottages
Ryecross Farm Cottage | Shaftesbury | Dorset
Cosy ground floor cottage, half a mile from Shaftesbury. Close to rolling hills, lush green meadows and ancient woodland. Fantastic views. Relaxing base. Poole 27 miles.
Majestic | Sherborne Causeway near Shaftesbury | Dorset
Comfortably furnished cottage near Shaftesbury. pet-friendly. Wing of owners' 1808 stone cottage.Exposed stone walls. North Dorset touring location within Blackmore Vale. Shaftesbury 2 miles.
Grist Mill Cottage | Fontmell Magna near Shaftesbury | Dorset
Delightful single-storey Shaftesbury cottage, in 10 acres of lovely grounds in Fontmell Magna village. Woodburner and en-suite make this a great family or romantic retreat. Shaftesbury 4 miles.
Flour Mill Cottage | Fontmell Magna near Shaftesbury | Dorset
Charming single-storey Shaftesbury cottage, set in 10 acres, with woodburner and en-suite, in village of Fontmell Magna. Lovely cosy cottage. Shaftesbury 4 miles.
Blandford Cottage | Berwick St John | Wiltshire
Grade II listed cottage in Wiltshire, in Berwick St John. Close to Dorset border, open fire, romantic retreat. Good base for Shaftesbury, Stonehenge, Stourhead and more. Shaftesbury 5 miles.
Peacemere | Gillingham | Dorset
Superb detached Gillingham cottage. Rural north Dorset, outstanding views, large attractive gardens. High standard of furnishings and facilities. Lovely walks close by. Short drive to Stourhead. Gillingham 0.8 miles.
The Cider Barn | West Knoyle, Wiltshire | Wiltshire
Stylish, single-storey, studio barn conversion. Rural and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in West Wiltshire. Luxuriously appointed throughout. Vaulted ceiling. Beams. Mere 3 miles.
Brook Cottage | Milton on Stour near Gillingham | Dorset
Charming single-storey barn conversion constructed over small stream in Milton on Stour. Open plan living, exposed beams. Area attractions within easy reach. Shaftesbury 7 miles.
Stour Hill Barn | West Stour near Gillingham | Dorset
An attractive Dorset cottage, a detached barn conversion with wonderful views. Open fire, four poster, en-suites, full of character. Shaftesbury 7 miles.
Thornhill | West Stour near Gillingham | Dorset
A pretty, cosy West Stour holiday cottage apartment. Part of an 18th Century Grade II listed country house, great views, library, ideal base for touring. Shaftesbury 7 miles.