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17th Century converted Coach House in Shaftesbury, Dorset

Photo gallery for 17th Century converted Coach House in Shaftesbury, Dorset

A house with a tiled roof, a wooden fence, and potted plants.
A cozy living room with a grey sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a bookshelf filled with books.
A modern living room with a sofa set, a coffee table, a TV, and a bookshelf.
A patio area with wicker furniture, a red umbrella, and potted plants.
A cozy living room with a wooden table, patterned chair, and a bookshelf filled with books.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Games
    A rare find - enjoy a variety of games available on-site.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Gold Hill Museum
1 bedroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Barbecue
  • Deck or patio

Explore the area

View map
Shaftesbury, England
  • Place, Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Gold Hill Museum
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Shaftesbury Arts Centre
    ‪9 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Shower room 1

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

17th Century converted Coach House in Shaftesbury, Dorset

The Music Room, is in close proximity of The Manor House and is surrounded by the walled garden which encompasses both properties. It enjoys its own private fenced terrace with a table and chairs as well as a new walled terrace at the back of the property. This provides total privacy and includes a BBQ, table and chairs and sun umbrella. The perfect spot to catch the afternoon sun!
There is a village pub approximately 5 minutes walk away and the walk into the centre of Shaftesbury is about 10 minutes and incorporates Gold Hill, from the famous Hovis advert.
Shaftesbury has many good restaurants including an Indian, Chinese, Italian as well as a great Bistro style restaurant at the Grosvenor Arms .
The Mitre pub is in the middle of the high street and has a wonderful decking area with far reaching views and good pub food.

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 8128567
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury is home to this cottage. Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden and Sturminster Newton Mill are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Center Parcs Longleat Forest and Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs. Shaftesbury Arts Centre and Riversmeet Leisure Centre are also worth visiting.
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Map
Shaftesbury, England

What's nearby

  • Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Gold Hill Museum - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Shaftesbury Arts Centre - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Longleat Safari and Adventure Park - 38 min drive - 38.9 km
  • Stonehenge - 39 min drive - 48.7 km

Getting around

  • Gillingham Dorset Station - 13 min drive
  • Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.) - 58 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The John Peel - ‬10 min walk
  • The Kaffee
  • ‪The Udder Farm Shop - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪KFC - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Costa Coffee - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 17th Century converted Coach House in Shaftesbury, Dorset pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at 17th Century converted Coach House in Shaftesbury, Dorset?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 17th Century converted Coach House in Shaftesbury, Dorset?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 17th Century converted Coach House in Shaftesbury, Dorset?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 17th Century converted Coach House in Shaftesbury, Dorset located?

Situated in Shaftesbury, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden, Gold Hill Museum and Shaftesbury Arts Centre. Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs and Melbury Vale Winery are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 91 out of 103 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 103 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 103 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 103 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 103 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Robert W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent accommodation, location and hosts. Don’t hesitate to book.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Jenny C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice position and very friendly hosts x
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Andreas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely cottage in a wonderful Little town.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julian L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Superb Cosy Secluded Property in a Fantastic Location!

Superb cosy secluded property in a fantastic location - an excellent base for exploring Shaftesbury and Dorset and a great place to chill out - we will definitely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Martin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed a lovely break at the Coach House, the friendly hosts greeted us warmly, and everything was provided for a comfortable stay. The property is perfectly located for country walks yet within easy walking distance of the delightful town centre. Looking forward to staying here again one day. (Thank you Caroline for posting the the item we mistakenly left behind!)
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mark T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location lovely cottage Caroline and Roddy wonderful hosts

Great experience would definitely book again
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Franc Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful area

Everything was 1st class, the property, the host and the area
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vanessa

Wonderful hostBeautiful property Well worth the stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gillian M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place in Shaftesbury

A beautiful little place in a great location. Lovely hosts who couldn’t have been more helpful, enabling us to check in early, welcoming our dog and giving us useful information about the area. The cottage is extremely well equipped and comfortable and we will definitely stay there again if we visit Dorset.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming cottage in the heart of Shaftesbury

Lovely cottage. Great facilities & welcoming hosts. Would definitely return.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sharon

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful little cosy cottage in a lovely relaxing and quiet area. Hosts are so friendly and welcoming. Lovely little touches , such as milk in the fridge and biscuits. Hosts recommend eating at ‘ The Kings Arms’ and we would totally agree! Absolutely delicious food. We would definitely return in the future and highly recommend this holiday cottage.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kevin E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage

Comfortable cottage with lots of extras the cookies were delicious and the coffee machine easy to use, you do need to be a bit of a contortionist to get round the bed but it wasn’t a problem. The town has some lovely eating places The Mitre was surprisingly good and has amazing views
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

celia d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous place to stay!

Lovely weekend get away 2 adults and a dog. Secure garden spacious but cosy living room super comfy bed everything you could need even robes! Perfect hosts and great location for pubs restaurants and dog walks. We would definitely recommend staying here if you want to get away from it all.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

michael j.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home from home

Very clean and tidy. Completely satisfied with the experience. And the hosts was very helpful and kind.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Fiona M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent accommodation in a good location

A very comfortable, cosy property with everything we needed. An ideal location for our weekend break in Dorset, and only a short walk into the middle of Shaftesbury. Our dog enjoyed the cottage and the area too - plenty of dog-friendly pubs and shops locally. Thank you, Caroline, for the relaxing stay in your cottage and for the warm welcome!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jane D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for 2

Property is in a good location just a stone’s throw from Gold Hill. The annexe itself, although small, had everything needed for a comfortable stay, and the outdoor space was an added bonus. Friendly hosts too.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Christine T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Luxury and home from home!!

Welcoming and every comfort seen to! Personal touches and advice given for local enjoyment. Great location for the highlights of town including Gold Hill. Our street had history, a magical garden and the Old Pump Yard and an old church with a peel of bells!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Paul L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely short break

Myself, my partner and our dog Oscar had a most enjoyable stay at The Music Room. What a lovely property this is, with everything that you need for a relaxing break. The owners Caroline & Roddy are most welcoming and couldn't be more helpful. Shaftesbury is a great place for a visit, with lots of history, lovely walks and great public houses. We wouldn't hesitate to stay here again in the future!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Angela B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfort away from home!

Lovely cottage located close to Gold Hill and a local must The Salt Cellar! This cottage is warm and comfy with all the amenities of home. Traveling from far away there was nothing that we didn't have in this cozy living space. The hospitality of Caroline and Roddy was warm and welcoming absolutely top-notch.
Stayed 13 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely loved staying here, beautiful location. Caroline was so friendly and helpful. Very accommodating. The property is spacious and light and had everything we needed. We brought our dog with us and it was wonderful to have a secure area for him too. Only down side is that you have to climb over each other getting in and out of bed
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019
Archival

6/10 Okay

Philip T.

misleading advert

We read the description carefully but were disappointed on our arrival. The property is actually in the back garden of the owners house, and you had to walk past her back door to gain access each time. The ceiling in the bedroom sloped to such an extent you could not walk round the bed but had to clamber over it. The property itself was nicely furnished but the kitchen and especially the shower room were cold even with the heating on. A few more useable mugs may have been nice.
Response from VrboOwner on 26 March 2020
I do not feel that the comments left by P Turner are accurate or fair. It clearly states on the web site that the cottage is in close proximity of the house, and that is is encompassed within the walled garden of it. It also states that the ceiling in the bedroom slants at the foot end of the bed and there are photographs showing this. All the mugs in the kitchen are in good condition. No other guest has has complained about any of these issues before, and indeed all of my reviews have been excellent. I would be grateful if you would consider my response before you agree to put his review on the website. Many thanks, Caroline Tolfree
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Annette H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect for our needs
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Deanna H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely little cottage, great location

We enjoyed our 4 night stay with our two dogs, very friendly and helpful hosts . We would definitely stay again, if we don’t get our new home in the near future. Thank you 😊
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ruth E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Secluded hide away perfect for privacy and relaxing

Tucked away off the access road provides a perfect retreat to relax and unwind. The layout gave sufficient space to cook, eat, rest and relax although we did bump our heads a couple of times in the bedroom. The location is perfect for access to Gold Hill, The Salt Cellar (for an excellent breakfast and views) plus a couple of minutes walk from there to an excellent place for drinks, food and more views - The Mitre. The local Tesco is only a few minutes drive to stock up on essentials. Overall we had a peaceful, battery recharging 4 days. The hosts, while not there at the time made sure their house sitters looked after our needs - which only amounted to the use of their freezer. Would I recommend this to others - YES. Would I come back? Oh yes…
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Pete G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent Property and Location

Wonderful hosts on arrival, fantastic, clean, well appointed property in a beautiful location.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

About the host

Hosted by Caroline Tolfree

Host profile image
We have lived in The Manor House, St James Street, Shaftesbury since 2003. I am a nurse working for the NHS as well as a private Medical and laser clinic.
I have got three grown up children who return frequently, such is their love of the area and all it has to offer.
I have 2 Westies, Monkey and Chips and well behaved dogs are always welcome here.

Why they chose this property

The beauty of our property is its age and character and its prime location at the foot of the famous Gold Hill in Shaftesbury.
Our house was built in 1604 and The Music Room was the original Coach House for The Manor House.
The Music room was converted in the Spring of 2013 into a luxury holiday let for 2 people or a couple with a baby.
The Music room enjoys close proximity to the Saxon town of Shaftesbury and yet within 5 minutes walk to the beautiful rolling countryside of the Blackmore Vale.

What makes this property unique

The Music Room has been fitted to a very high standard and benefits from being a 5 minute walk to the local pub. From there it is a short but steep walk up the famous Gold Hill, renowned for the Hovis advert . This is the most beautiful street ...... a step back in time . Once you have reached the top of Gold Hill you are in the centre of this Anglo Saxon town.
Shaftesbury is steeped in history and tradition and is one of the oldest and highest towns in England and it dominates what Hardy called the 'engirdled and secluded Blackmore Vale'.
At the top of Gold Hill you must sit back and enjoy the stunning views whilst tasting the fabulous fayre on offer at The Salt Cellar Cafe.
Shaftesbury and the surrounding area has so much to offer as listed and described later.

Languages:

English

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