Dentons has been providing local information and business listings since 1967. Below is a list of useful contact details for a range of services in Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Mere, Sturminster Newton & Marnhull. This includes information on council services, recycling (Dorset), recycling (Wiltshire), education, transport, health & emergency services.
Dorset County Council provides a full range of services itself and through the district and borough councils for the residents of Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Mere, Sturminster Newton & Marnhull including education and social care.
| Collections for Recycling and Rubbish | 01305 221040 | Dorset Waste Partnership, Princes House, Princes Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1TP |
| Council Tax | 01305 221000 | County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester DT1 1XJ |
| Parking | 01305 221000 | County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester DT1 1XJ |
| A-Z of services | visit website |
Mere residents have similar services provided by Wiltshire Council.
| Collections for Recycling and Rubbish | 0300 456 0102 | Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN |
| Council Tax | 0300 456 0109 | Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN |
| Parking | 0300 456 0100 | Wiltshire Council, Parking Services, PO Box 3106, Chippenham SN15 9BE |
| A-Z of services | visit website |
Schooling can be a difficult time for parents and pupils. Below are some useful numbers to help combat potential issues that may arise for both pupils and parents during a child’s time at school.
| Admission to Schools | 01305 221060 or visit website | School Admissions Team, Dorset County Council, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ |
| Home to School Transport | 01305 224537 | Dorset Passenger Transport, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester DT1 1XJ |
| More Information | visit website |
Contact details for Education Services in Wiltshire
| Admission to Schools | 01225 713010 | School Admissions, Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Trowbridge BA14 8JN |
| Bullying at School | 01380813393 or visit website | Action For Children, Broadway, Market Lavington SN10 5RH |
| Home to School Transport | 01225 713396 (North Wiltshire) | Wiltshire Council, Passenger Transport Unit, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN |
| Home to School Transport | 01225 713398 (South Wiltshire) | Wiltshire Council, Passenger Transport Unit, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN |
| More Information | visit website |
The area has conveniently situated register offices to register a birth, death or marriage.
| Blandford Registration Office | 01305 225153 or visit website | The Blandford Community Centre, Heddington Drive, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 7TP |
| Bridport Registration Office | 01305 225153 or visit website | Bridport Town Council, Mountfield, Rax Lane, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3JP |
| Christchurch Registration Office | 01305 225153 or visit website | Christchurch Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1AZ |
| Dorchester Register Office | 01305 225153 or visit website | Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1RP |
| Ferndown Registration Office | 01305 225153 or visit website | King George V Pavilion, Peter Grant Way, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9EN |
| Gillingham Register Office | 01305 225153 or visit website | Gillingham Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham SP8 4QR |
| Sherborne Registration Office | 01305 225153 or visit website | Sherborne Town Council Offices, Manor House, Newland, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3JL |
| Swanage Registration Office | 01305 225153 or visit website | The Town Hall, High Street, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2NZ |
| Wareham Registration Office | 01305 225153 or visit website | The Library, South Street, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4LR |
| Weymouth Registration Office | 01305 225153 or visit website | The Adult Learning Centre, 45 Dorchester Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7JT |
The register office service for Wiltshire is centrally administered at Trowbridge.
| Wiltshire Register Office | 01225 713007 or visit website | County Hall, Trowbridge BA14 8EZ |
Emergency services are well organised and extremely responsive. Contact information for the main emergency services in the area are listed below:
| Emergency Services | Emergency: 999 Non-Emergency: 101 | Localised national response |
| Dorset Police | visit website | Dorset Police Force Headquarters, Winfrith, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8DZ |
| Gillingham Police Station | 1 School Road, Gillingham SP8 4QR | |
| Shaftesbury Police Station | Granville Gardens, Shaftesbury SP7 8DF | |
| Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service | 0306 799 0019 or visit website | Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre, Hulse Road, Salisbury, SP1 3NR |
| Gillingham Fire Station | visit website | Peacemarsh, Gillingham SP8 4HB |
| Shaftesbury Fire Station | visit website | Christy’s Lane, Shaftesbury SP7 8PH |
| Sturminster Newton Fire Station | visit website | Bath Road, Sturminster Newton DT10 1DU |
| South West Ambulance Service | 01392 261500 | Abbey Court, Eagle Way, Exeter EX2 7HY |
Contact information for the Wiltshire services is given for Mere residents.
| Emergency Services | emergency 999 or non-emergency 101 | Localised national response |
| Wiltshire Police | 101 or visit website | London Rd, Devizes SN10 2DN |
| Mere Police Station | 101 | White Road, Mere BA12 6EX |
| Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service | 0306 799 0019 or visit website | Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre, Hulse Road, Salisbury, SP1 3NR |
| Mere Fire Station | 01722 691000 or visit website | White Road, Mere BA12 6EX |
| South West Ambulance Service | 01392 261500 or visit website | Abbey Court, Eagle Way, Exeter EX2 7HY |
Local residents & visitors can call upon the support of the NHS hospitals in the area. The community hospital is further supported by the District hospitals on the edge of the area which provide most of the acute care services including intensive care, cancer care and coronary (heart) services.
| Salisbury District Hospital | 01722 336262 or visit website | Odstock, Salisbury SP2 8BJ |
| Westminster Memorial Hospital | 01747 85135 or visit website | Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury SP7 8BD |
| Warminster Community Hospital | 01985 212076 or visit website | The Avenue, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 8QS |
| Yeovil District Hospital | 01935 475122 or visit website | Higher Kingston, Yeovil BA21 4AT |
There is a range of NHS services available to local residents. Whatever the problem, be it a broken tooth or a broken leg, specialists are on hand.
| Child Health | visit website | |
| Complementary Medicines | visit website | Search on Dentons.net |
| Dentists | visit website | Search on Dentons.net |
| Diabetes Services | visit website | |
| Doctors Surgeries | visit website | Search on Dentons.net |
| Mental Health Services | visit website | Mental Health Helplines |
| Optical Services | visit website | Search on Dentons.net |
| Pharmacy Services | visit website | Search on Dentons.net |
| Sexual Health Services | visit website | Local Sexual Health Services |
Dorset Council’s social services are based in a variety of locations across the county and information about services is available from the following links.
| Adult Social Care | 01305 221016 or visit website | Dorset Direct, PO Box 7184, Dorchester DT1 9ER |
| Children and Young People | 01305 221000 or visit website | County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester DT1 1XJ |
| Disability | 01305 221000 or visit website | County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester DT1 1XJ |
| Addiction Support | 07514 527036 | WASP (Wiltshire Addiction Support Project), 12a Duke Street, Trowbridge BA14 8EA |
| Adoption and Fostering | 0800 169 6321 | Wiltshire Council Adoption Team, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN |
| Adult Social Care | 0300 456 0111 | Wiltshire Council Adult Social Care, Court Street, Trowbridge BA14 8BR |
| Children’s Safety and Social Care | 01380 826200 | Children’s Safety and Social Care, The Cedars, Bath Road, Devizes SN10 2AP |
| Older People – Carers | 0800 181 4118 or 01380 871690 | Carer Support Wiltshire, Independent Living Centre, St George’s Road, Semington, Trowbridge BA14 6JQ |
| People with a Learning Disability | 0300 456 0100 | DCS Disabilities Team (Shurnhold site), Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN |
| Further information | visit website |
The popularity of sending a letter may be decreasing but in and around North Dorset and West Wiltshire, there are post offices to buy a stamp, send a letter, purchase a rod fishing license or exchange money for a trip abroad.
| The Post Office | 0345 611 2970 or visit website | Localised national response |
| East Knoyle Post Office | 01747 830735 | Church Road, East Knoyle SP3 6AE |
| Fontmell Magna Post Office | 01747 811201 | Church Street, Fontmell Magna SP7 0NY |
| Gillingham Post Office | 01747 822626 | High Street, Gillingham SP8 4AA |
| Ludwell Post Office | 01747 828227 | Ludwell SP7 9ND |
| Marnhull Post Office | 01258 820959 | Burton Street, Marnhull DT10 1PH |
| Mere Post Office | 01747 860245 | 1 Boar Street, Mere BA12 6DD |
| Motcombe Post Office | 01747 852225 | The Street, Motcombe SP7 9PF |
| Shaftesbury Post Office | 01747 852506 | Coppice Street, Shaftesbury SP7 8PE |
| Sturminster Newton Post Office | 01258 472580 | Station Road, Sturminster Newton DT10 1BB |
| Wyke Post Office | 01747 834430 | Broad Robin, Wyke SP8 4PJ |
There are a variety of leisure and sports facilities in the area and all open to the public so if you fancy a workout or taking up a new sport or activity, pop over any of the centres located in the area.
| Blandford Leisure Centre | 01258 455566 or visit website | Milldown Road, Blandford Forum DT11 7DB |
| Gillingham Leisure Centre | 01747 34013 or visit website | Riversmeet Centre, Hardings Lane, Gillingham SP8 4HX |
| Tisbury & District Sports Centre | 01747 871141 or visit website | Weaveland Road, Tisbury SP3 6HJ |
| Warminster Sports Centre | 01985 212946 or visit website | Woodcock Road, Warminster BA12 9DQ |
North Dorset is served by Gillingham & Tisbury railway stations and operated by South West Trains with services between London and Exeter. Warminster station served the are for the Cardiff to Portsmouth line
| Rail Enquiries | visit website | Search national network |
| Gillingham Railway Station | 0845 700 0125 | Station Yard, Gillingham SP8 4PZ |
| Tisbury Railway Station | 0845 700 0125 | TStation Road, Tisbury SP3 6JT |
| Warminster Railway Station | 0845 700 0125 | Station Road, Warminster BA12 9BP |
| Bus Timetables | visit website | Dorset |
| Bus Timetables | visit website | Wiltshire |
Dorset County Council provides good housing and support services for those who might be the homeless or facing homelessness across the county.
| North Dorset Housing Advice | 01258 484358 or visit website | Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7LL |
Wiltshire Council provides support with housing in the north of the area.
| Housing Department | 01225 770316 or visit website | County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN |
For anyone facing money, legal, housing or benefit issues the Citizens Advice Bureau offers free, confidential and impartial advice.
| Citizens Advice Bureau | 0844 375 2775 or visit website | Nationwide |
| Mere Bureau | 0844 375 2775 or visit website | The Library, Barton Lane, Mere BA12 6JA |
| North Dorset Bureau | 0844 245 1291 or visit website | The Courtyard, Newbury Court, Gillingham SP8 4QX |
The chamber of commerce network can support your business throughout its lifecycle from start-up, development, growth and beyond. No matter what type of business you are, or whether your objectives are on a local, national or international scale, your local chamber can help you meet your goals.
| Dorset Chamber of Trade & Industry | 01202 714800 or visit website | Chamber House, Acorn Office Park, Ling Road, Tower Park, Poole BH12 4NZ |
| Gillingham Chamber of Commerce | visit website | Kingsmead Business Park, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4FB |
| Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce | visit website | |
| Wessex Chambers | 01225 355553 or visit website | Inspire, Heywood House, Westbury, Wiltshire, BA13 4NA |
A coroner’s role is to establish, normally by post-mortem, whether a death is natural or unnatural in the eyes of the law. If the death is unnatural, further investigations might be undertaken with a view to presenting a case to be heard before a coroner at an inquest.
| Dorset Coroner | 01202 454910 or visit website | Coroner’s Office for the County of Dorset, Town Hall, Bournemouth, BH2 6DY |
| Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner Service | 01722 438900 or visit website | 26 Endless Street, Salisbury SP1 1DR |
Our Shaftesbury/Gillingham/Mere/Sturminster Newton/Marnhull dentons directory (26th edition) is currently distributed to over 20,000 business and residential addresses in the Shaftesbury/Gillingham/Mere/Sturminster Newton area. For more information on our directories, please click here.
Steeped in history, tradition and breathtaking views over the Blackmore Vale, Shaftesbury is a picturesque market town in north Dorset, situated on the A30 near the Wiltshire border. It lies approximately 20 miles west of Salisbury, 15 miles east of Sherborne, 30 miles north of Dorchester and around 25 miles south of Frome, placing it within reach of key towns across both Dorset and Wiltshire. The nearby A303 provides an important link towards London and the South West, while the town is also accessible from the A350, connecting it to Shaftesbury’s neighbouring communities including Gillingham, Tisbury and Mere.
Perched at over 700 feet above sea level, Shaftesbury is one of the oldest and highest towns in Britain and is known as “Shaston” in Thomas Hardy’s novels. The town is twinned with Brionne in France and Lindlar in Germany.
Gold Hill, the town’s most iconic street, links the hilltop centre to the lower neighbourhood of St James. Its steep cobbled descent, flanked by thatched cottages, was made famous by the classic Hovis television advertisement and remains one of the most photographed streetscapes in England, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond.
Shaftesbury was founded by the Saxons as a fortified hilltop settlement. King Alfred the Great established the town and, together with his daughter Ethelgiva, founded a Benedictine abbey here in 888 AD. Alongside its role as a fortress and abbey, the settlement quickly developed into a small but active town.
The abbey grew to become one of the wealthiest in England, receiving the relics of St Edward the Martyr and attracting pilgrims seeking spiritual healing. King Canute died in Shaftesbury in 1035, underlining the town’s significance in early medieval England. By the 10th century, three royal mints were operating here, producing currency bearing the Shaftesbury name.
Local industry developed around weaving, cloth making, lace and button production, though mechanisation eventually drew labour away to larger industrial centres. Despite this, Shaftesbury maintained its role as a local market town, and weekly markets continue to this day.
Today, Shaftesbury continues to thrive as a market town and tourist destination, drawing visitors to its historic streets, independent shops and sweeping views across the Vale of Blackmore. Its position on the Dorset-Wiltshire border makes it a natural centre for the surrounding rural communities of north Dorset and south Wiltshire.
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Gillingham is a market town situated in the Blackmore Vale area of north Dorset, close to the borders of both Wiltshire and Somerset. It is the most northerly town in Dorset and sits approximately 7 miles north-west of Shaftesbury, 18 miles east of Sherborne, 20 miles south of Frome and around 25 miles north of Blandford Forum, making it a natural hub for the surrounding rural communities of the Vale.
The town benefits from excellent transport links for its size. Gillingham railway station sits on the London Waterloo to Exeter main line, providing direct services towards Salisbury and London to the east and Yeovil, Exeter and the wider South West to the west. This connectivity makes Gillingham a well-established commuter town, particularly for those working in Salisbury or London. The A303 is accessible nearby, offering onward road connections to the M3 corridor and beyond.
Gillingham is twinned with Le Neubourg in Normandy, France, and is home to North Dorset Rugby Club.
Evidence of human activity in and around Gillingham stretches back to prehistory, with a Stone Age barrow present within the town and traces of a second-century Roman settlement also recorded locally.
During the Middle Ages, Gillingham held notable royal significance as the seat of a hunting lodge used by the Crown, reflecting its position within the well-wooded landscape of the Blackmore Vale. The town was severely affected by the Black Death, with approximately half of its then population of around 2,000 residents perishing within four months.
The arrival of the railway in the 1850s proved transformative, bringing new prosperity, population growth and manufacturing industry to what had previously been a modest rural settlement. This connectivity has continued to shape the town’s character and economy ever since.
Today, Gillingham continues to grow as one of north Dorset’s principal towns, offering a blend of rural character, manufacturing heritage and strong rail connectivity. Its position on the Dorset border, close to Wiltshire and Somerset, makes it an increasingly attractive base for those seeking countryside living with practical access to larger urban centres.
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Mere is a small market town in the south-west corner of Wiltshire, positioned at the meeting point of three county borders – Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset. It lies approximately 9 miles south-west of Warminster, 8 miles east of Wincanton, 12 miles north of Shaftesbury and around 25 miles west of Salisbury. The A303, which runs close to the town, provides a direct and well-travelled route between London and the West Country, and has long defined Mere’s role as a staging post on one of England’s most historic road corridors.
The nearby B3092 connects Mere northward to Frome and southward towards Gillingham and Shaftesbury, reinforcing its position as a local service point for the surrounding rural communities of the Blackmore Vale, the Wylye Valley and the south-western edge of Salisbury Plain.
The Stourhead Estate, one of the National Trust’s most celebrated properties, lies just outside the town near the village of Stourton. The estate encompasses a Palladian mansion, sweeping landscaped gardens, farmland and woodland, and draws visitors from across the region and beyond, contributing meaningfully to the local visitor economy.
Evidence of farming on Whitesheet Hill dates to Neolithic times, around 2000 BC. Settlement of the town itself is thought to have begun in the Saxon period, with the name Mere likely derived from the Saxon word for marsh or boundary – fitting given its position at the historic junction of three Saxon shires.
Mere flourished during the medieval period and developed a diverse local economy well-suited to its geography. Its location on the coaching route between London and the West Country brought steady trade, supporting inns and a range of associated businesses. Local industries included wool and flax spinning, market gardening, silk milling in the late 19th century, and dairy farming and brush making into the 20th century.
This tradition of serving travellers passing between London and West Country destinations such as Exeter, Taunton and the wider South West continues today, with the A303 maintaining Mere’s relevance as a waypoint on one of England’s busiest leisure and commercial routes.
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Sturminster Newton is a historic market town set within the Blackmore Vale, a rich dairy farming landscape in the heart of north Dorset. It sits on the River Stour, approximately 10 miles north-east of Blandford Forum, 8 miles south-west of Shaftesbury, 14 miles south of Gillingham and around 20 miles north-west of Dorchester. The town is also within easy reach of Sherborne to the west and Wimborne Minster to the south, placing it at the centre of a broad rural catchment across north and central Dorset.
The A357 passes through the town, connecting it to Blandford Forum to the south and Wincanton and the A303 corridor to the north, while the B3091 provides a route eastward towards Shaftesbury. These road links, combined with the town’s position within the Vale, make Sturminster Newton an important local service centre for the surrounding villages and farmland communities of the Stour Valley.
Sturminster Newton holds Cittaslow status, a designation recognising its commitment to a high quality of life, local produce and a sustainable pace of development – values well aligned with its agricultural heritage and rural setting.
The community of Sturminster Newton dates to Saxon times, when it was recorded as Nywetone at Stoure. The town grew around a natural fording point on the River Stour, a crossing that was replaced in the 16th century by a six-arch stone bridge that still stands today.
At its peak, Sturminster Newton was home to the largest cattle market in the United Kingdom, a reflection of the Blackmore Vale’s status as one of England’s premier dairy farming regions. The market operated until its closure in 1997, after which the site was comprehensively redeveloped. The town centre now houses key community buildings and a theatre on the former market ground, while a weekly traders’ market continues to take place on the high street every Monday, maintaining the town’s long tradition as a local trading hub.
Today, Sturminster Newton continues to serve as a valued market town and community hub for the Blackmore Vale, balancing its deep agricultural roots with a growing appeal to those drawn by its rural character, independent businesses and Cittaslow ethos.
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Marnhull (pronounced MAR-nəl) is a village and civil parish set within the Blackmore Vale in north Dorset, situated on a low ridge of Corallian limestone above the valley of the River Stour. It lies approximately 3 miles north of Sturminster Newton, 10 miles south of Gillingham, 12 miles east of Sherborne and around 18 miles north of Dorchester, placing it at the quiet rural heart of the Vale and within reach of the principal market towns of north Dorset.
The village is accessed via a network of minor country roads, with the B3092 – connecting Sturminster Newton to the south and Gillingham and Shaftesbury to the north-east – providing the most practical link to the wider road network and the A303 corridor beyond. Sturminster Newton serves as the nearest post town and local service centre.
Marnhull is perhaps best known as the inspiration for “Marlott,” the fictional village in Thomas Hardy’s novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles. The Crown Inn features in the novel as the Pure Drop Inn, and a television adaptation of the book was filmed in the village, drawing Hardy enthusiasts to the area. The parish church of St Gregory, with its 15th-century tower, is considered one of the finest in the Blackmore Vale.
Evidence of human settlement in Marnhull stretches back to the Iron Age, with a Roman settlement later established at Ashley Wood in the east of the parish. Saxon charters confirm the village’s existence by the 10th century, and its constituent hamlets of Walton Elm, Burton and Kentleworth were likely recorded within the Domesday Book of 1086 under the entry for Sturminster Newton.
Nash Court, a historic manor within the parish, was granted to Catherine Parr – the last wife of Henry VIII – in 1544, before passing through the hands of Edward VI and Elizabeth I and subsequently several noble families, underlining the village’s connections to the Tudor court.
The village developed across several conjoined hamlets and retains a mix of architectural periods, from Tudor properties to post-war development, all drawing on the local Corallian limestone as a building material.
Today, Marnhull remains a well-served rural village with three churches, two primary schools, two public houses, a GP surgery and a village hall, offering a strong sense of community within the tranquil landscape of the Blackmore Vale.
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