Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Gardens

19/10/2026

02/10/2026

Our Collection Team Volunteers have been busy improving the storage of a collection of medieval stained glass fragments from an excavation at Abbey House. They have been cutting acid free card to size to provide stable backing to support each fragment. With the collection totaling several hundred fragments, it's been a fiddly but satisfying job!

We are always looking for new volunteers to join our team - front of house, gardening or working on the collections - if you are interested you can find out more on our website or by emailing [email protected].

30/09/2026

Congratulations to our fantastic team of volunteer gardeners on winning gold in the Heritage Garden category of South & South East in Bloom. This is a great achievement reflecting their skill and dedication in all weathers tending the Abbey's gardens.

The Abbey is always looking for new volunteers in the garden and the museum. To join a winning team, contact [email protected]

20/09/2026

What might be the collective noun for a group of crafters? A tangle? A hand?
Thanks to all the skilled artisans who showcased their talents over the Heritage Craft weekend at the Abbey; Thanks to everyone who came and enjoyed the demonstrations and activities; thanks to our amazing team of volunteers who made it possible and to Dorset Council for a small grant to help finance a free community event.
It was a joy to witness people sharing their talents and passion for craft with everyone.

20/09/2026

Heritage Craft Weekend continues today at Shaftesbury Abbey - come along for demonstrations and activities - free admission with donations welcomed

20/09/2026

The sun is coming out. Join us at the Abbey for more heritage crafts

19/09/2026

The Saxon Forager is knocking up lunch with a little help from his daughter grinding flour for bread!

19/09/2026

Heritage Craft Weekend in full swing today at the Abbey. Lots of activities and great demonstrations from our artisans.
Free Admission- come along!

18/09/2026

Our thanks to Dr Rhoda Bucknill for yesterday's fascinating talk on Wherwell Abbey, to our Trustee, Debbie Jones, for arranging it, and to the Grosvenor Arms for hosting us in the Assembly Room.

Deborah Jones
The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury