About St James

St James is a small area located in Dorset, England, within the postcode area SP7. It is primarily a residential community, offering a peaceful environment for its inhabitants. The area is conveniently situated near the town of Shaftesbury, which provides access to various local amenities, including shops, schools, and recreational facilities. Surrounding St James are the rolling hills and countryside typical of Dorset, making it an appealing location for those who enjoy outdoor activities. The area is well-connected by road, allowing for easy travel to nearby towns and attractions. St James serves as a quiet retreat for families and individuals seeking a slower pace of life while remaining close to the conveniences of urban living.

School Ratings in St James

St James is served by 18 schools. A further 7 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in St James

Property prices average £396K across the area, and detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £533K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in St James

Local crime rates sit lower than national averages. Shoplifting accounts for the highest share in St James, with 9 incidents logged in January 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in St James

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, St James falls within the mid-range nationally for overall deprivation. Working-age employment is around the national average for the area. Income levels locally sit close to the national average.

Broadband and Mobile Internet in St James

Superfast broadband reaches parts of St James, though coverage is not uniform. 4G mobile signal is available in most areas, with 5G access more limited. For the latest speed predictions, visit Ofcom's broadband checker.

Property Prices 2,600 sales

Average Price £396K
£371 — £10.05M
Detached £533K 960
Semi £314K 577
Terraced £245K 598
Flat £180K 294

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

11 Primary
2 Secondary
5 Other
Shaftesbury School Secondary Good 0.2 miles The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury Primary Good 0.4 miles North Dorset Children's Centre - Shaftesbury Base 0.8 miles Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School Primary Good 0.8 miles Coombe House School Good 1.3 miles Port Regis Preparatory School 1.6 miles Motcombe CofE Primary School Primary Good 1.9 miles Ludwell Primary School Primary Good 2.6 miles Semley Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Primary Good 3.1 miles St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Primary 3.5 miles St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School Primary 3.6 miles Stower Provost Community School Primary 3.7 miles

Deprivation and Employment in St James IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places St James in the mid-range nationally. Employment and income levels are close to the England average, with a mix of opportunities across sectors. Overall living conditions are comparable to similar areas across the country.

Overall Deprivation
6/10
Income
7/10
Employment
7/10
Education
6/10
Health
8/10
Housing
3/10
Living Environment
5/10
3,570 Children (0-15) 16%
12,482 Working Age 57%
7,746 Older (60+) 35%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 22.6% of children in income-deprived families
Above Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 8.3% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in St James 48 crimes · January 2026

Low Crime Area

Reported crime in St James falls below the national average, suggesting a comparatively safe environment. Violence & sexual offences tops the list of recorded incidents, but figures are low overall. Residents and visitors alike tend to find this a quiet and reassuring small town.

19 Violence & Sexual Offences
9 Shoplifting
6 Anti-Social Behaviour
5 Other Theft
3 Burglary
3 Criminal Damage & Arson
3 Vehicle Crime
Local Policing
Dorset Gillingham and Shaftesbury Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 3 stations

Gillingham (Dorset) Train Station 4.1 miles
Tisbury Train Station 6.4 miles
Templecombe Train Station 9.7 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Shaftesbury 0 yards Alcester 0.6 miles Ivy Cross 0.6 miles Enmore Green 0.9 miles Cann 0.9 miles West Melbury 1.2 miles Cann Common 1.4 miles Bittles Green 1.4 miles Guy's Marsh 1.8 miles Melbury Abbas 1.8 miles East Melbury 1.8 miles Coombe 1.9 miles

Local Government

District Dorset
Ward Beacon
Constituency North Dorset
Parish Cann
Region South West

Streets in SP7 30 shown View all streets

A30 4 A350 14 Abbey Close 1 Abbey Walk 2 Angel Court 1 Angel Lane 1 Anstee Road 1 Armoury Yard 2 Ash Close 1 B3081 11 B3091 9 Back Alley 1 Badger Walk 1 Barton Hill 2 Beaufoy Close 2 Bell Street 3 Belmont Close 1 Berry Wood Lane 2 Bimport 7 Birdbush Park 1 Blackmore Road 5 Bleax Close 1 Bleke Street 5 Blind Lane 1 Border Close 1 Bozley Hill 1 Bramble Patch 2 Breach Lane 4 Bridewell Lane 1 Brinscombe Lane 1

Postcodes in SP7 50 shown View all postcodes

SP7 0AA SP7 0AB SP7 0AE SP7 0AF SP7 0AG SP7 0AH SP7 0AJ SP7 0AN SP7 0AP SP7 0AQ SP7 0AR SP7 0AS SP7 0AT SP7 0AU SP7 0AX SP7 0AY SP7 0AZ SP7 0BA SP7 0BB SP7 0BE SP7 0BF SP7 0BG SP7 0BH SP7 0BJ SP7 0BL SP7 0BN SP7 0BP SP7 0BQ SP7 0BS SP7 0BT SP7 0BU SP7 0BW SP7 0BX SP7 0BY SP7 0BZ SP7 0DA SP7 0DB SP7 0DE SP7 0DF SP7 0DG SP7 0DH SP7 0DJ SP7 0DL SP7 0DN SP7 0DP SP7 0DQ SP7 0DR SP7 0DS SP7 0DT SP7 0DU