A guide to living in Dorset

Dorset is a county in the south of England and has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The Dorset County Museum houses many historic artefacts from before the Iron Age, and it is one of the best museums in Britain for archaeology. For prospective home buyers looking to move to Dorset, this guide covers all you need to know about areas such as Lyme Regis (famous for its fossil beds) and Sherborne (a historical market town).

Excellent

73.5

Very Good

16.3

Average

4.1

Disappointing

3.1

Very poor

3.1

Best places to live in Dorset

How is ranking calculated?

Viewing 1-5 out of 9

Rental Only

The Helm, BH8

By Savills

3.81

(48 reviews)

The Helm offers studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in Bournemouth. The apartments feature high spec fittings and offer the nest of modern living. The building also gives you exclusive access to amenity spaces and residents social events.

1st

Ranked 1st out of 6 in Dorset

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Uprey Grange, DT9 6LS

By Burrington Estates

4.45

(8 reviews)

Uprey Grange is a new collection of homes situated in the quiet and quaint village of Yetminster in Dorset.

2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 6 in Dorset

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The Lookout, BH15

By Telereal Trillium

4.39

(9 reviews)

The Lookout comprises of 1 & 2 bedroom apartments with private residents’ rooftop terrace and spectacular views over Poole Harbour. Also, local amenities include shops, pubs and restaurants. Transport links are impressive, with links to the rest of Dorset and the South West, London and continental Europe.

3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 6 in Dorset

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Blackmore Down, SP7

By Redrow

4.00

(7 reviews)

Blackmore Down is located on the edge of the the town of Shaftesbury in Dorset. The development offers three and four bedroom homes from the Redrow Heritage Collection, Arts and Crafts inspired modern family friendly interiors.

4th

Ranked 4th out of 6 in Dorset

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Potters Wood, BH31

By Pennyfarthing Homes

3.26

(12 reviews)

Potters Wood is a bespoke development of 2,3, & 4 bedroom homes. Set close to the centre of Verwood, residents can enjoy an area of public open space for dog walking, cycling and relaxing.

5th

Ranked 5th out of 6 in Dorset

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Page 1 of 2

Latest Reviews in Dorset

98 total reviews

Write a review

Viewing 1-5 out of 98

Tenant (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Helm, BH8

Nov 2025

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 3.00 out of 5.00.

Overall review

Tenant (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Helm, BH8

Nov 2025

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Good infrastructure, Asda tesco nearby, Bournemouth international college, multiple bus stations, fast food

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes although last time it took several months for the resolution

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

That the quality of the materials inside the apartment isn’t great

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Long term helm resident (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Helm, BH8

Nov 2025

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 1.00 out of 5.00.

The Hell-m

Long term helm resident (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Helm, BH8

Nov 2025

Huge staff turn over with a new building manager every 2 months. The current building manager is completely useless and ignorant. Management give “master keys” out to anyone and everyone with many of us tenants coming home to find random contractors or people viewing our homes. No apologies from management regarding this. Monthly resident events are essentially non existent and very poor effort when they do take place. Building is falling apart and tenants are repeatedly told repairs are in progress - this has been the situation for over 3 years. The only reliable, consistent member of the team is Stuart (maintenance). Many empty apartments currently as the majority of long standing tenants have now relocated. Speak to any existing tenant for an honest opinion.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Located on a busy road, surrounded by student accommodation and rehab housing. There is a methadone clinic to the side of the Helm which attracts all the undesirables. Police station behind the building. Non-stop shouting, crime, sirens and beggars bothering you as you try to enter the building.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Apology emails sent out to tenants with reassuring emails also issued to tenants but little to no action actually taken.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Events are extremely inconsistent and disappointing. The windows throughout the building are make of recycled glass and regularly shatter due to weather. The building is apart of a “shared heating” scheme which results in being charged for a percentage of the heating used for the building over all and not your individual usage. There is no option to choose your own utility company.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Jonny p (Tenant)

Unverified

The Helm, BH8

Nov 2025

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 1.00 out of 5.00.

Overpriced, frustrating and disappointing

Jonny p (Tenant)

Unverified

The Helm, BH8

Nov 2025

Design is nice and modern but the quality isn’t there. Lots of issues with things breaking, lifts have been consistently down. When I raised my concerns to the management at the time of both lifts being out when I was post surgery, she told me that savilles might qualify me not fit to live at the helm. Roof terrace was closed for a long time. Building management is terrible. Staff turnover has been ridiculous with probably over 10 managers in the past 4 years. I have things in my apartment that broke which have been reported and left for over 3 years. Communication is so poor with emails often going ignored. Rent increases have been immensely greedy recently and there seems to be an aim to push out tenants that have lived here a while. Safety issues are not as prioritised as they should be. Windows shattered and weren't fixed. No clear fire procedures in place. In addition to the staff turnover, many security staff and cleaners that residents don’t know have a fob that allows them into anyone’s apartment. I wouldn’t recommend anyone to live here.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Anti social behaviour. Lots of loud noise throughout the night. Car park is overpriced and not closed off from the public. On lots of occasions there are drunk fights and people peeing in the car park. It doesn’t feel safe outside the building.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

I have had emails ignored and have had to chase constantly. Issues raised are brushed off. They send their “spokesperson” when they realise the residents are getting extremely frustrated. This is a move to simply shift the blame to any external companies they can. Nothing gets sorted out.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Lifts are often broken. Staff will never stay consistent. There is no concern for residents safety. They will increase your rent by 20% if they want to.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

SimonH (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Helm, BH8

Nov 2025

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 1.00 out of 5.00.

Terrible, wouldn’t recommend

SimonH (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Helm, BH8

Nov 2025

Terrible management. Lift out of order for 5+ months. Occasionally meaning to walk up potentially 18 floors. I had to do it with a suitcase after a weekend away. Window broken for over a year. Still fighting compensation. Their “safety” was to put a bin bag over the window with duct tape. 9+ managers for the building. Worst communication. We don’t know when one has left and one has joined. Rent went up 20%+ in the last renewal. Tried to fight that it was above market rate for the county+ nation wide and they didn’t want to hear it.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Loud. Lots of anti social behaviour. Close to London train but apart from that, terrible. Parking very expensive Closest beach is extremely busy during summer

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes, they answer very political and avoid real answers.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

There might be a building being built to the left (if looking at the building), which will block all sea views if you are on the left facing side. This will be a 22 story building. Nice view for the meantime, only reason we stayed.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

P Tamang (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Helm, BH8

Nov 2025

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

The design is fine, only issue I'd say is the windows

P Tamang (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Helm, BH8

Nov 2025

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Location wise its very good as it's close to the main part of Town. The noise is a slight issue, but thats a given from the location (students).

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

when issues are raised, they are pretty quick to solve the situation.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

It's a decent development, the facilities (gym, and lounge) provide a lot of ease in terms of just living.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Page 1 of 20

These reviews are the subjective opinion of a HomeViews user and not of HomeViews

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