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Home > Property Info > Dorset Property & HousesProperty Dorset The county of Dorset, in the south-west of England, is an area of great beauty. Its coastline is spectacular, with unspoilt beaches, dramatic cliffs, and attractive seaside towns and villages. Inland, it has beautiful rolling countryside, historic market towns and pretty villages. The county is home to many idyllic gardens, as well as interesting museums, wildlife reserves, fine churches and historic buildings. Much of West Dorset has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, while the coastline is now a World Heritage Site, in recognition of its rich geological importance and unique landforms. Dorset borders the counties of Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Including the unitary districts of Bournemouth and Poole, it has a population of nearly 700,000. The county comprises a high proportion of elderly people, but it is also becoming an increasingly popular place to live for young people and families. It is also a popular tourist destination, and its many visitors swell its numbers significantly during the summer months. The county has good road and rail links , as well as air connections from Bournemouth International Airport. The port at Poole serves both freight and passenger traffic, with regular routes to France including a 4.5 hour ferry crossing to Cherbourg. Traditionally a farming region, the decline of the agricultural sector over recent decades means that Dorset¹s economy is now more varied. Tourism is a major industry for the area, accounting for around 15% of Dorset¹s economy, and the tourism and leisure sectors are important sources of employment in the region. The county is also home to a number of high-tech companies, engineering businesses, and marine and aviation industries, and has several business parks, including Winfrith Technology Centre near Dorchester, Southwell Business Park on Portland and one outside Bournemouth Airport. Many farmers are also now exploring areas for diversification such as converting barns into offices for high-tech business, or selling local food specialities Property prices in Dorset are rising, and over recent years the county has seen a higher than national average increase in property price rises. The average price of all properties in Dorset is just over £220,000 ranging from an average price for flats of £166,000 to detached houses selling well over £300,000. Yet these figures obviously disguise large variations in prices, depending on style and location, and some large detached houses in sought-after areas are for sale at much higher prices. The area has become increasingly popular, with many people attracted by the spectacular scenery more peaceful lifestyle that a move to Dorset could offer. Many properties are also being bought as second homes, and this trend too is pushing up prices. Click for Estate agents in Dorset and find estate agents for your property search. Properties by the sea have witnessed particular increases in value. Indeed, a few years ago the extent of this was illustrated by news that an eight-foot wooden beach hut had been put on the market for around £15,000. Similar stories showed prices for such properties tripling over just five years. A study by the Halifax in 2004 confirmed that seaside towns are seeing above average house price rises and listed Sandbanks in Dorset as the most expensive seaside town in the country. The nearby towns of Lyme Regis, Christchurch and Swanage also appeared in the top ten most expensive seaside towns in England and Wales. Dorset is a mainly rural county, with no official cities and only a few large towns. Of these, the largest is Bournemouth, on its south-east border, which merges into a conurbation with Poole and Christchurch stretching along the coast. There is a wide range of properties for sale here, with many residential areas and good local amenities. Victorian and more modern buildings can be found, and semi-detached houses, larger detached properties, bungalows and flats are all available to buy here. There are also a number of new homes being built in the area, and it is a popular place for families to buy a house. Poole, to the west of Bournemouth, is a more affluent area, and according to one source it boasts the third highest land value by area in the world. The Old Town contains elegant 17th and 18th century houses by the quay and has charming streets, good shops, pubs and restaurants. Poole Harbour claims to be the second largest harbour in the world, after Sydney, and its shallow waters contain a number of small islands. Boat trips to Brownsea Island are popular, and other nearby attractions include the Compton Acres gardens and Upton Country Park. Although a tourist resort, Poole is also a popular residential area and the town¹s easy access to good beaches and beautiful countryside make it a very desirable area to live. As the county town, Dorchester has a long and interesting history dating back to Roman times. The Roman townhouse and the nearby hill fort of Maiden Castle are among the many places of interest for visitors. It also has several interesting museums and the birthplace of Thomas Hardy is only a few miles away. The town has many historic buildings, including fine 18th century houses which add to its charm and character. Properties for sale in Dorchester include period homes, both detached and semi-detached, and some apartment conversions. Modern houses are also on the market a typical three bedroom terraced house can be found for sale in the region of £200,00 as well as new homes in a variety of sizes and styles. Dorset property services such as valuers and surveyors can be found at Dorset property services with specialist Dorset agents online listed. Houses or property for let can be found at Dorset Houses for let or rent with specialist letting and rental agents. The surrounding area includes the historic villages of Moreton, Puddleton and Tolpuddle and of Cerne Abbas, with its famous chalk giant. Village properties for sale include bungalows and period cottages, and estate agents in Dorchester can give details of houses to buy or rent in all neighbouring areas. Close to Dorchester, the estate of Poundbury Village, commissioned by the Prince of Wales, is an experimental new-town which has attracted mixed reviews. The development is a long-term project planned over a number of phases, aiming to build high-quality, traditional housing at affordable prices. Commercial buildings are interspersed among residential areas and shopping and leisure facilities, and, with an emphasis on establishing a community feel, it is designed as an extension of the existing town. The Village offers a mix of property, with different types of houses and flats available both to buy and to rent. South of Dorchester lies the town of Weymouth, which is in easy reach of Portland Bill and is close to Lulworth Cove. As well as traditional housing, new developments and apartment conversions of quayside buildings are on the market here. Pretty villages lie along this coastline, notably Abbotsbury which enjoys a spectacular location between Chesil Beach to the south and green hills to the north. To the west, the small market town of Bridport, which grew up on the rope and net-making industry, has many attractive period buildings including the Georgian Town Hall and the medieval Chantry House. Nearby, the seaside resort of West Bay is a pretty harbour village, while Seatown is particularly famous for its fossils and is close to Golden Cap, the highest point on the South Coast. The small town of Beaminster, just north of Bridport, is an attractive place to live with fine historic buildings and good local shops, pubs and restaurants. Although many of its oldest buildings were lost in fires, the centre is a designated conservation area with over 200 listed buildings including several 17th century houses. Commercial property for sale in Dorset can be found at Dorset commercial property for sale with business property estate agents listed. Lyme Regis has been called the Pearl of Dorset, and is a popular tourist destination. Very attractive houses are for sale here, but property in this area is expensive. The famous stone Cobb is a well-known landmark, and this section of the coast is a favourite haunt of fossil hunters and geologists. Inland, the towns of Crewkerne, Sherborne and Shaftesbury all offer a range of properties to buy. For those looking for a more rural location, picturesque thatched cottages and pretty stone properties, as well as bungalows, farm buildings and converted barns, can be found to buy throughout the Dorset countryside. New houses in Dorset can be found at New Houses in Dorset with specialist estate agents listed.
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