Shaftesbury has won gold at the national finals of Britain in Bloom.
Shaftesbury in Bloom was graded gold in the Town Centres and City Centres category of the RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals 2026, announced at a ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall on 20 October.
Run by the Royal Horticultural Society, the finals judge towns, villages and cities on horticultural excellence, environmental care and community engagement.
Shaftesbury was one of only four town centres in the national final, alongside Rochdale, which won the category, Godalming in Surrey and Sidcup in south-east London.
How Shaftesbury got to the final
The town reached the UK Finals through South in Bloom, its regional competition, and was one of 44 groups from across the UK in this year’s final.
The RHS says its finalists are “judged against criteria with the environment, community engagement and horticulture at their core”.
Gold is the top grade a finalist can receive, ahead of silver gilt, silver and bronze.
The overall title went to Stonehouse in Gloucestershire, which won the Small Town category.
Another Dorset group in the final
Shaftesbury was not the only Dorset entry at Rochdale.
Wareham Community Growers, also entered through South in Bloom, took silver gilt in the Small Town category.
The only other South in Bloom group in the final was Wickham in Hampshire, which also won gold.
What do you think makes Shaftesbury look its best? Tell us in the comments.
Have your say