Where is Dorset?
Dorset is located in the southwest of England, bordering Devon to the west and Somerset to the north. The coastline is famous for its dramatic cliffs and beaches, such as Lulworth Cove and Chesil Beach.
Areas in Dorset
Dorset is a large county, with many different towns and villages. The following are some of the most popular areas for prospective home buyers:
Lyme Regis – This coastal town is famous for its fossils and attractive harbour as well as its great pubs and restaurants and its award-winning Blue Flag beaches.
Sherborne – A historical market town with a Norman abbey, Sherbourne Abbey is known for its Cotswold stone buildings and local honey. With a lively high street and good schools, Sherborne is a popular spot for families.
Poole – This coastal town is known as the largest natural harbour in Europe and offers opportunities for water sports, such as scuba diving and sailing. It’s also home to one of the oldest – and most famous – naval bases in Britain at HMS Osprey, with connections going back to 1650.
Dorchester – The county town of Dorset, Dorchester offers a bustling high street and good connections to the rest of the UK. Dorchester attracts many visitors for its Roman history as it’s home to one of only four remaining Roman theatres in Britain.
Bournemouth – A major tourist destination, Bournemouth is a large town on the south coast with seven miles of award-winning beaches and plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, from its pier and gardens to nightclubs and cinemas.
Weymouth – This traditional seaside resort offers beautiful sandy beaches, a host of attractions, and good shopping facilities. Weymouth is the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, a 95-mile World Heritage Site.
Universities in Dorset
Dorset plays host to three universities, all within easy reach of the county’s towns and villages.
University of Bournemouth –The University of Bournemouth (UB) is a public university based on the edge of the historic town of Poole with campuses in Bournemouth and Dorset. UB is well known for its high-quality teaching and research, with nine out of ten graduates finding work or further study within six months.
Arts University College Bournemouth – Formerly known as the Arts University Bournemouth, AUB is a specialist art and design university. The university has been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), which assesses teaching quality in higher education.
AECC University College – The AECC University College is an independent higher education institution, with the freedom to set its own course and teaching standards. The AECC was established in 1985 by Mr Alan Gill OBE as a provider of quality national training programmes for the health sciences sector.
Top Schools in Dorset
There are several top schools located across various locations throughout Dorset, including:
Bournemouth School – The Bournemouth School is a grammar school, with approximately 900 students. It has a reputation for being one of the best schools in the area, due to its high standards and excellent facilities.
Poole Grammar – Poole Grammar has over 1400 students studying at the institution and has a history of academic success. It is known for being one of the best schools in Dorset and has high standards across both its teaching and facilities.
Weymouth College – Weymouth College offers students a wide range of courses to study at various levels from A-levels right through to vocational courses such as beauty therapy or engineering.
Coombe Girls’ School – Coombe Girls’ School is an independent day and boarding school for girls from age 11 to 18. It was founded in 1907 and is one of the most prestigious schools in Dorset.
Population of Dorset
As of 2018, the population of Dorset stands at 426,516, with most of the population concentrated around the coastal areas and along the rivers Frome and Stour.
