Gold Hill, Shaftesbury – St Peter's Church, Shaftesbury loop from Motcombe

Hiking trails & Routes

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury – St Peter's Church, Shaftesbury loop from Motcombe

Moderate

4.3

(8)

hikers

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury – St Peter's Church, Shaftesbury loop from Motcombe

03:01

11.1km

170m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

3.87 km

Bell Street Car Park

Highlight • Parking

Just a normal, paid parking lot 🤷

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.22 km

Shaftesbury Abbey — Ruins and Gardens

Highlight • Historical Site

Former Benedictine Abbey from 888. It became really famous as a place of pilgrimage after the relics of King Edward the Martyr were brought here a good 100 years later.
Today everything lies in ruins, but is lovingly cared for and managed by a trust. Admission is free, but donations are requested. With a souvenir shop, many benches and toilets. We liked it!

Translated by Google •

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4.46 km

Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Highlight • Historical Site

Holy Trinity Church was rebuilt in 1842 and is situated in a pretty churchyard with great views.

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4.62 km

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Highlight • Climb

Made famous by the Hovis advert in 1973, the cobbled climb of Gold Hill has just got more and more loved by the nation as the years have passed. The view is stunning from the top of this notorious climb, which sadly didn't make the Top 100 climbs but entered as 101st. The gradient ramps up to 23% at one stage but the whole climb is only 150 metres (490 ft) so just grit your teeth. It'll be worth it.

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4.68 km

Town Council Building

Highlight • Monument

By the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII in 1539, Shaftesbury Abbey was the second wealthiest nunnery in the country. It was the last abbey to be dissolved, and its buildings were systematically destroyed, with locals taking the stone for their own buildings. The ruins we see today are the excavated foundations of the church and other parts of the abbey complex.
The current Town Hall was commissioned by Earl Grosvenor and was built in the Neoclassical style between 1826 and 1837. It is a Grade II listed building, recognized for its architectural and historical significance. I came on a thursday and it was a market day. It's wonderful to see these beautiful rural places having such attractive markets.

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4.70 km

St Peter's Church, Shaftesbury

Highlight • Historical Site

St Peters is the most ancient of all the churches in Shaftesbury and stands in the High Street. The registers date from 1623. It was built in the latter part of the 15th century.

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4.72 km

King Alfred's Kitchen

Highlight • Other

King Alfred's Cafe, perfect for a bacon butty stop!

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5.02 km

Blue Coat School

Highlight • Historical Site

The Blue Coat School in Shaftesbury, also known as William Lush's Blue Coat School, was a significant charitable institution in the town's history. It was one of many "blue coat" charity schools established throughout England to provide education and a better future for poor children.
The school was founded through the will of William Lush in 1718. Its purpose was to provide free education, clothing, and apprenticeships to poor boys.
The school's original location was in Bell Street, Shaftesbury. A blue plaque now commemorates the site, which is currently known as "The Retreat" at 47 Bell Street.
The name "Blue Coat" came from the uniform of blue coats that the students wore, symbolizing their status as recipients of the charity. The school was one of the few places offering free education in Shaftesbury at the time, particularly after a "Free School" on Bimport closed.

Tip by

7.19 km

The Cliff

Forest

11.1 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types