Shaftesbury Abbey

Shaftesbury Abbey was once one of the wealthiest and most important nunneries in medieval England. Founded in the 9th century by King Alfred the Great, it became a major religious centre associated with Saint Edward the Martyr. Although largely destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the remaining ruins and peaceful gardens still convey its former significance. Today, visitors can explore the archaeological remains, museum displays, and landscaped grounds. Shaftesbury Abbey offers a calm, reflective atmosphere and a fascinating insight into medieval religious life, history, and architecture in the heart of Shaftesbury.