Gillingham lies within the beautiful English county of Dorset. It is situated in Blackmore Vale, close to the town of Shaftesbury which lies seven miles to the South East. It is the most northerly town in the county. Gillingham is pronounced with a hard G as in 'goat', unlike Gillingham in Kent, in which the G is pronounced as a J. A Stone Age barrow and evidence of a Roman settlement exist in the town but the town was really established by the Saxons. The church of St Mary the Virgin has a Saxon cross shaft dating back to 800-900AD. In 1348, fifty percent of the 2,000 people living in the town died of the Black Death in four months. In the Middle Ages, Gillingham was the seat of a royal hunting lodge, visited by the Kings Henry I, Henry II, John and Henry III. Gillingham is a picturesque town served by the London Waterloo to Exeter mainline railway. In July the town holds the Gillingham Festival. During the Festival you can enjoy a variety of music, theatre, dance, exhibitions, sport, food and wine, antique valuations, open gardens, as well as the classic cars that visit on the last day.
Attraction
Classes
Club
Dentist
ADP Dental Company Ltd
Winning Smiles
Doctor
Gillingham Medical Practice
The Barn Practice
The Surgery
Estate Agent
Brimble Lea & Partners
Chaffers
Chapman Moore & Mugford
Colbert Smith
Gilyard Scarth
Palmer Snell
Market
Pub and Bar
Buffalo Inn
Dolphin Inn
Kings Arms Inn
Phoenix
Red Lion
Self-Catering
Solicitor
Taxi
Star Taxis
Station Taxis
VIP Travel Taxis
Vet
Sports Clubs
North Dorset RFC (Rugby Union)
Shops
Orchard Park
Paws Claws & Jaws Ltd
Animal Crackers
The Slade Centre
Michael Gardner
Image Art
Shoe Envy
Neal’s Yard Remedies Ltd
Shoe Envy
The Railway Cafe
Smiths the Bakers
Alans Family Butchers
The Udder Farm Shop
St Marys Pharmacy
Mayflowers
The Dorset Store
The China Shop
Places to Stay near Gillingham
The Glen B&B (2.22 miles)
White Lion Inn (3.20 miles)
The White Lion Inn at Bourton represents all the very best that a traditional Dorset Inn has to offer. Built in 1726 the beautiful old building offers a warm welcome in a comfortable and relaxing ... More | visit website
Stapleton Arms (3.23 miles)
The Stapleton Arms in Buckhorn Weston is a new style country pub with rooms situated on the Somerset / Dorset / Wiltshire border close to the A303, A30 between ... More
Vale Cottage (3.35 miles)
Click here to book this cottage with Hoseasons
Set in a quiet, secluded village, this attractive and very comfortable Grade II listed cottage lies just 10 miles from Sherborne's castle and abbey. Longleat Safari Park, ... More
The Old Ship Hotel (3.59 miles)
The Old Ship Hotel in Mere is a hotel full of rustic charm and character. Once the private residence of Sir John Coventry MP (untill 1682). It was his banishment ... More
Chetcombe House B&B (3.91 miles)
La Fleur de Lys (4.11 miles)
Welcome to La Fleur de Lys Restaurant with Rooms, Situated in the Centre of Shaftesbury and personally run by David, Mary & Marc.
The hotel offers a warm, inviting, friendly atmosphere with an emphasis on Freshness, ... More
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Hotel Grosvenor (4.24 miles)
This beautiful listed building with its imposing and elegant Georgian facade has over the past two years been totally restored and renovated now offering contemporary bedrooms and a stunning restaurant ... More
Hunters Lodge Inn (4.36 miles)
The Royal Chase (4.88 miles)
Close to the centre of historic Shaftesbury, the Royal Chase revels in the surrounding glories of the Dorset countryside and the ample charms of Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Unspoiled, beautiful counties, offering a wide ... More | visit website
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