Regional Info
Geography
Dorset is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. Between its extreme points Dorset measures 50 miles from east to west and 40 miles north to south, and has an area of 1,024 square miles. Dorset borders Devon to the west, Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north-east, and Hampshire to the east.
Dorset is famous for the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, which features landforms such as Lulworth Cove, the Isle oo Portland, Chesil Beach and Durdle Door, as well as the holiday resorts of Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Swanage, and Lyme Regis.
Cities and Towns
A whistle-stop tour of the highlights of the region would take you from the rural New Forest, with its popular towns of Lyndhurst and Lymington, south to the increasingly popular and fashionable, Isle of Wight, known as The Garden Isle and renowned for its warm climate, stunning scenery and friendly welcome. Continue west to the beautiful and historical town of Christchurch, the lively and cosmopolitan resort of Bournemouth and then on to Poole, situated on the English Channel and boasting the second largest natural harbour in the World after Sydney.
Sandbanks, in Poole Harbour, is a small sand peninsula so popular that it has the fourth highest land value, by area, in the world. Nearby, Canford Cliffs is a delightful, yet (as with Sandbanks) pricey, haven, and Lilliput is increasingly popular and catching up quickly. Further across to the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck, approximately 10km south of Poole, lies Swanage, the gem of the Dorset Coast.
Communications
It is interesting to note that Dorset is the only county in the south of England not to have a motorway; the closest being the M27 which spurs off of the M3 and forks east towards Portsmouth and west as far as the south east section of the New Forest.
Bournemouth and the surrounding areas are well served by rail and road, with fast trains via Southampton. The journey time from Bournemouth to London by road or rail is approximately 2 hours. The nearest regional airports are Bournemouth International and Southampton.
Properties
Dorset has something to offer almost everyone searching for property in the area. The most expensive properties are primarily found in Bournemouth and Poole, particularly on the Sandbanks Peninsula in Poole Harbour and the nearby Canford Cliffs and Lilliput. For the most part, properties in this area are architecturally inspiring, modern and extremely luxurious. In contrast, many parts of Dorset also boast a number of traditional style properties, including manor houses, old rectories and farmhouses. The county is famous for it Elizabethan manor houses, however, these are much sought after and very rare – so be prepared to move fast!
Schools
Dorset is very well supplied with all types of schools, from small village primary schools to large secondary schools, indepentant schools & colleges. Some of the most sought after and best performing include; St Thomas Garnet’s School, Bournemouth; Twynham School, Christchurch; Canford School, Wimborne; Talbot Heath School, Bournemouth and Wentworth College, Bournemouth. Please refer to the local authority websites for further information:
www.bournemouth.gov.uk
www.christchurch.gov.uk
www.purbeck.gov.uk
www.hants.gov.uk
www.boroughofpoole.com
www.dorsetforyou.com
Leisure
The entertainment options in Dorset are endless, from coastal watersports, including sailing, diving and wind-surfing, to other sporting activities such as golf, football, rugby, cricket, tennis, bowls and fishing. The region also has several new leisure centres, and two dry-ski slopes. The regeneration of Boscombe pier will also see the introduction of Europe’s first artificial surf reef. To experience the slower pace of life, there are numerous walks in the beautiful countryside, horse-riding and rambling.
By night, Bournemouth and Poole come alive. Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, is the UK’s biggest arts centre outside London and is home to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The Centre boasts a concert hall, theatre, cinema, gallery, ten pin bowling, a swimming pool and an ice rink (www.lighthousepoole.co.uk). Nearby, the refurbished Tower Park, the south coast’s largest entertainment centre, now offers facilities including a ten screen multiplex cinema, bingo, bowling, a water park, an LA Fitness health club, plus a variety of bars and restaurants (www.towerparkcentre.co.uk).
In Bournemouth, the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and its sister venue, The Pavilion Centre and Ballroom (www.bic.co.uk), play hosts to concerts, shows and entertainment acts to suit all tastes, from comedy acts and amateur musicals to top pop and rock concerts and touring west end shows. There is also the Regent Centre in Christchurch (www.regentcentre.co.uk) for film, theatre and the arts, and The Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne (www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk) for films and live stage shows. Also check out Mr Kyps, Poole’s Premier Live Music Venue (www.mrkyps.net), for information on forthcoming gigs, tribute bands and local music and entertainment festivals.
Bournemouth is the liveliest night spot, boasting an endless variety of bars, clubs and restaurants catering for anything from a spirited night out to a civilised meal in a cosmopolitan restaurant. One of the latest venues, The Landmarc (www.thelandmarc.com), is a stylishly converted Grade II listed church set in the heart of Bournemouth town centre and was voted ‘Best Evening Experience Entertainment of the Year’ by the 2006 Tourism Awards. The 500 capacity venue caters for all ages and tastes with entertainment ranging from The Comedy Store, tribute shows, pop stars (past and present) and the best in alternative entertainment. Also proving a big hit is the Aruba Bar & Restaurant (www.aruba-bournemouth.co.uk). Situated on Bournemouth Pier, it offers spectacular ocean views, a sun terrace, day beds, cold beer and fresh fruit cocktails. The menu is international with a Caribbean accent and food is served all day everyday, from breakfast through to dinner. Venture out into the countryside and you will discover an abundance of traditional country pubs and restaurants serving mouth-watering dishes and beverages to suit all tastes.
For a spot of retail therapy, you will find everything from the major high streets stores in Bournemouth, Poole & the Castle Point Shopping Centre, down to the intimate boutiques in the smaller towns. If it’s culture and history you’re after, there are a number of museums within easy reach and the county hosts a variety of classical concerts, antique collectors fairs and arts & crafts exhibitions. The Swanage Railway Beer Festival, Christchurch Food & Wine Festival and various international Food markets are a delightful way to while away an afternoon.
One of Bournemouth’s biggest attractions is the yearly Bournemouth Air Festival, the UK’s biggest free aviation festival, taking place this year from 19th-22nd August. Between Boscombe and Bournemouth piers, there will be incredible air displays, attractions and fantastic evening entertainment. Visit www.bournemouthair.co.uk for further information.
Another popular yearly event in the area is The New Forest and Hampshire County Show (www.newforestshow.co.uk), taking place this year from 27th-29th July. This is an agricultural show held for three days at New Park, Brockenhurst in Hants. It’s a great family day out bringing together a celebration of traditional country pursuits, crafts, produce and entertainment.
Links
www.bournemouth.gov.uk
www.christchurch.gov.uk
www.purbeck.gov.uk
www.hants.gov.uk
www.boroughofpoole.com
www.dorsetforyou.com
www.thedorsetpage.com
www.dorsets.co.uk
