Gillingham is a small market town in north Dorset, close to the border with Wiltshire and set on the banks of the River Stour. It sits between the rolling downland of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the greener lowlands of the Blackmore Vale, giving ready access to country walks, scenic lanes and a distinctly rural landscape.
Its historic roots show in timber‑framed buildings and a traditional high street, while the local economy still leans on agriculture and small businesses alongside commuters to nearby centres such as Shaftesbury. Community life is lively for its size, with local clubs, sports teams and annual events that underline its role as a working rural town rather than a mere dormitory settlement.
Postcode districts covering Gillingham
Most populated places nearby
- Bath 23.6 miles
- Yeovil 17.1 miles
- Salisbury 21 miles
- Trowbridge 19.8 miles
- Frome 11.4 miles
- Melksham 24 miles
- Melksham Without 24 miles
- Ferndown 23.5 miles
- Ferndown Town 23.7 miles
- Warminster 12.1 miles
- Westbury 15.8 miles
- Dorchester 23.9 miles
Neighbouring places
- Gillingham Built-up area 0.5 miles
- Milton on Stour Built-up area 0.9 miles
- East Stour Built-up area 2.2 miles
- Silton Parish 2.3 miles
- West Stour Built-up area 2.7 miles
- Cucklington Parish 2.9 miles
- Bourton Built-up area 2.9 miles
- Motcombe Built-up area 3 miles
- Buckhorn Weston Built-up area 3.2 miles
- Zeals Built-up area 3.3 miles
- Mere Built-up area 3.3 miles
- Kington Magna Built-up area 3.3 miles
Example postcodes in Gillingham
SP8 4XD, SP8 4HL, SP8 4BN, SP8 4GG, SP8 5DP, SP8 5NS, SP8 4RN, SP8 4XB, SP8 4HN … See all
Transport links
- Bournemouth Airport 26.4 miles
- Bristol Airport 30.2 miles
- Gillingham 0.7 miles
- Templecombe Railway Station 6.3 miles
Hotels near Gillingham Ad
- The Grosvenor Arms 4 4.5 miles
- The Old Red Lion 7.9 miles
- Plumber Manor 4 9.6 miles
- The Talbot 2 8.8 miles
- Dolphin Hotel 5.5 miles
- Best Western Shaftesbury the Royal Chase Hotel 3 5.1 miles
- Holbrook Manor & Spa - Oceana Collection 6.9 miles
Schools in Gillingham
- Gillingham Primary School Primary
- Gillingham School Secondary
- Milton-on-Stour C of E Primary School Primary
Local points of interest
- Stourhead Estate 4.7 miles
- Wincanton Racecourse Recreation 5.9 miles
- King Alfred's Tower Historic site 6.2 miles
- Fonthill Abbey Estate 7.9 miles
- Wardour Castle Estate 8 miles
- Longleat Country house 10 miles
- Cranborne Chase Forest 11.4 miles
- Western Downs Hill 12.7 miles
- Orchardleigh Estate Historic site 15.3 miles
- Tarrant Abbey Historic site 16.4 miles
- Crichel House Estate 16.8 miles
- Huish Park Stadium 18.1 miles