Historical cottage on Gold Hill (Hovis ad) Spectacular views 2-min walk to town

Button Cottage is nestled in the cobbles of Gold Hill, made famous by the iconic TV advert for Hovis bread, now one of the most painted and photographed places in England, Approx. 450 years' old the cottage is Grade 2 listed and has been lovingly restored, blending timeless charm with luxurious modern comforts. Gold Hill is a pedestrian area offering peace and tranquillity yet is only a 2-min walk to the bustling ancient market town of Shaftesbury with its independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Stunning views across the green hills of Dorset can be seen from the cottage and courtyard garden. "Cute as a button" Button Cottage is perfect for a relaxing get-away or romantic retreat; approximately a two-hour drive from London.
No additional cleaning fee.

About the cottage:

Step into the cosy living room with stone floor, Inglenook fireplace and wood burning stove. Farrow & Ball neutral tones paired with Susie Watson’s timeless fabrics, cushions and throws create the perfect setting to curl up in front of the wood burner with a glass of wine and local cheeses from the high street deli and wine shop. Vintage style soft lighting and copper finishes complete the relaxed atmosphere, along with a Smart TV.

The homely handmade kitchen includes rustic open shelving to provide easy access to everything you need. A wine fridge, butchers block, and Smeg Lavazza coffee machine make thoughtful additions, not forgetting a dishwasher to make light work of the washing up!

"Oh goody, it's bedtime"

Sink into the 7000-pocket sprung mattress on King Size vintage bedframe, sumptuous cotton bedlinens and naturally anti-allergenic goose feather and down Super King duvet.

An enchanting single bedroom / dressing room offers a full-size single daybed with goose feather and down double duvet, cotton linens and privacy curtain covering a quirky opening over the staircase.

The shower room on the ground floor comprises a stylish chrome rain shower with handheld attachment. Faith in Nature toiletries and plenty of fluffy Egyptian cotton towels, together with bathrobes and hotel-style slippers add a little luxury to your pampering after a day exploring.

To the rear of the cottage steps lead down to the pretty limestone courtyard garden with wildflowers tumbling down the old stone wall, pots of lavender and roses, and comfortable wicker garden furniture with cushions. Start your day here with a complimentary Italian coffee overlooking the green hills of the vale. When you can tear yourself away, take a leisurely stroll around Shaftesbury museum and Abbey ruins before setting off for a day of adventures.

The indoor laundry room is accessible from the courtyard, equipped with washing machine, tumble drier, clothes airers, ironing board and garden cushions.

About Shaftesbury:

One of the highest towns in England and the oldest in Dorset, Shaftesbury has plenty to offer serious walkers and gentle strollers alike, with designated walks across Blackmore Vale and Cranbourne Chase AONB, as well as scenic walks around Shaftesbury.

For those determined to relax, far reaching views can be enjoyed along the promenade (Park Walk) and Castle Hill, bench-hopping with a sweet treat from Reeves the bakers, or an ice cream from Ecco Gelato (if you can make it last that long!).

A small town with a big personality, Shaftesbury has an arts centre with theatre and cinema; lido, regular markets and food / fringe festivals throughout the year, all within a five-minute walk from the cottage, not forgetting the annual Gold Hill cheese race on Spring Bank Holiday weekends which can be watched from your own front door!

Places to visit:

Places to see a short drive away include Old Wardour Castle, Stonehenge, Stourhead Gardens, Kingston Lacy and Longleat Safari Park. For a more local flavour you might visit the pretty little village of Fontmell Magna and its well-known pub restaurant The Fontmell, or the picturesque market town of Sherbourne with its traditional stone buildings, independent shops and numerous cafes.

Slightly further afield Corfe Castle is a popular choice, or The Lost Village of Tyneham (check access times), Cerne Abbas with its historic stone houses and Abbey remains, or Bradford-on-Avon and its famously quintessentially English tearoom (booking advised). A little further still and the cities of Bath and Salisbury make a great day out, and the New Forrest and Jurassic Coast are less than an hour away.

Previous reviews:

5 stars (October 2024)
“We absolutely loved our stay at Button Cottage, hard not to! Gorgeously renovated with all and more you could want or need for a seriously comfortable stay. The location is superb and we hope to come again :-). Thank you, Melanie & Tristan. xx"

5 stars (October 2024)
“We recently returned from a 4-night stay at Button Cottage, the cottage is utterly gorgeous from the first step inside, greeted by a table laden with treats Melanie had generously left for us. We absolutely loved our stay there and would not hesitate to recommend it. The hosts have made sure there is everything and more to make a stay not only comfortable but special (extra mention must also go to the bed and all the linens which are all super sumptuous).”

5 stars (December 2024)
“Just wow! The cottage is amazing one of the best we have ever stayed in. The quality of fixtures and fittings was superb. No effort was spared to make every aspect of our stay special. The personal touches such as extra cookware for our Christmas Day dinner and tasteful decorations were extremely thoughtful and added to our experience as did the welcome pack of local produce. The location was fantastic, on a quiet historic street but only 2 minutes to the town centre which had lovely shops, pubs and places to eat. Melanie was super friendly, and nothing was too much trouble. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the cottage to anyone."

5 stars (December-January 2025)
"This really is a beautiful cottage. We had such an amazing time. Melanie & Tristan have thought of everything. It's a very cute cottage but it is better equipped than many bigger places we have stayed. The decor and attention to detail is second to none and you're obviously close to restaurants, pubs, cafes and shops. It's sensational and we are very grateful we had the chance to stay here over New Year. Loved it all! Thanks so much. "

5 stars (March 2025)
“Thanks so much for your warm welcome, the cottage is absolutely beautiful, an oasis of calm to restore one’s soul!! and the details amazing. We had the best of times and would love to come back! We will recommend it to everyone we know."

5 stars (March 2025)
“I have stayed in many holiday cottages over the years and have to say this is one of the best I have ever encountered. A lovely cottage half-way up Gold Hill, tastefully modernised and beautifully appointed with good spec modern fittings while retaining its fabulous period character. A pretty courtyard garden is at the rear with views towards the hills. The owner, who lives nearby, met us on arrival and gave us a guided tour of the cottage and all its features, including the operation of all the services. Everything was immaculately clean and as for the bed I am prone to insomnia, but I had the best 2 night’s sleep in ages. If I ever return to Shaftesbury, I will definitely seek to stay here again. 5 Stars all round.”