Gold Hill Museum

Gold Hill Museum sits at the top of Shaftesbury’s famously steep Gold Hill, the same cobbled slope immortalised in the 1970s Hovis advert. The museum itself occupies two historic buildings, including a former priest’s house, giving the galleries an intimate, lived‑in atmosphere. One of its most intriguing treasures is the Byzant, a ceremonial staff used for centuries in local processions; its ornate design reflects Shaftesbury’s deep civic traditions. Inside, visitors can explore displays on rural crafts, lace‑making, and the town’s once‑important button industry, with original tools and examples showing how these trades shaped everyday life. The museum also holds a rich collection of photographs and maps that trace Shaftesbury’s evolution from medieval hilltop settlement to modern market town. A highlight is the recreated Victorian kitchen, complete with period utensils and domestic objects that reveal how families cooked, cleaned, and gathered. The archaeology section includes prehistoric tools, Roman pottery, and finds from nearby settlements, offering a wider view of Dorset’s ancient past.