Dorset Regional Information

To my mind, these, and the open countryside between are Dorset’s crown jewels. The famous ones are Cerne Abbas for the giant, Abbotsbury for the swans, Askerswell for the song and Tolpuddle for the martyrs. However there are many that have no fame, which are chocolate box pretty, wonderfully named or both. Bradpole, Long Bredy, Fontmell Magna, Iwerne Minster, Powerstock, Ryme Intrinseca, Sydling St. Nicholas and Piddletrenthide to name but a few.

Many have the three things that all decent villages should have – old stone houses, a church and a pub. Some have a shop and an active community, and almost all are within easy reach of a town.

Dorset’s countryside provides lovely walks almost everywhere and there are good bridle paths in some areas. Many villages have websites, so it is always worth Googling the name.

The A31 and A35 link Dorset with Hampshire and Devon. The A354 heads North East towards Salisbury, the A350 due North, and the A37 North West, all providing links to the M27, A303 and M5 trunk roads connecting us with the rest of the country.

The county is surprisingly well served by the railways, with two lines to Waterloo. From Weymouth via Bournemouth in the South and from Gillingham in the North.  There is a third line that heads North from Weymouth, via Dorchester to Bristol.

Bournemouth, Bristol and Exeter all have international airports with a growing choice of routes. Between them they service most European countries and UK destinations.

The Ferry port in Poole serves Cherbourg, St Malo, Guernsey and Jersey. Weymouth’s newly refurbished terminal has fast ferries to France and the Channel Islands.

All you need to know about transport in Dorset – airport, ferries, trains, coaches – can be found on the excellent Dorset Transport website.

Throughout the county, there are interesting houses of every sort, from ancient manors and rectories to fashionable 20th and 21st century houses and apartment buildings. Many properties have wonderful views – the modern ones by design, the older ones by default. Click on a link to discover more.

Tourism, farming and food are the most widespread industries in such a pretty county. However, there is every sort of business large and small. The surprises on the list range from a good selection of engineering and metal bashing, to our very own oil field at Wytch Farm. An interesting list of Dorset industries can be found by clicking here.

Schools. There are some really good schools in and around Dorset. A full and searchable list, can be found at the Good Schools Guide who also provide advice.

The major independent senior schools can be found in two geographical groups. The Blandford Forum group has Clayesmore, Bryanston and Milton Abbey. The Sherborne cluster includes Leweston School (for girls) Sherborne School, Sherborne Girls and The International College at Sherborne School (which eases non English speaking children into the British education system).

Winchester, King’s Bruton and Blundells can be found in neighbouring Counties, whereas it is scarcely possible to be more than 15 miles from a prep. school once you live here.

Good state secondary schools are to be found near all the larger towns – also listed with the Guide.

Sailing, walking, riding are the obvious activities. But there are interesting niche sports to be found – such as a real tennis, gliding, eventing, polo and fencing, with clubs and venues scattered about the county. There is even a surf reef off Bournemouth.

The county is also a haven for foodies, with award winning restaurants, farmers markets, delicatessens, wine merchants and vineyards to suit all tastes.