Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden

Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden is set on the site of Saxon England's foremost Benedictine nunnery founded by King Alfred in 888AD.

The Abbey was to act as the catalyst for the prosperity of the town and surrounding area for over 650 years. The excavated foundations of this once important and influential Abbey lie in a peaceful walled garden - a lasting reminder of the Abbey's eventful past.

The story of the Abbey and its inhabitants has been vividly brought to life in a new, state-of-the-art museum.
The museum is decorated in dramatic medieval colours chosen to reflect the interior of the original Abbey church.

The museum houses a fascinating collection of carved stonework including samples of Saxon carving, medieval floor tiles and other excavated objects. It also has a remarkable example of polychrome statuary depicting the Mass of St. Gregory, dating from the 15th century. Illustrations from ancient manuscripts help to tell the story of this foremost Benedictine nunnery.

Additional info

Our library is open to the public by appointment only.
We have regular events throughout the year. Please visit our website for further details.