Dorset

Dorset (pronounced Dorsit, sometimes in the past called Dorsetshire) is a county in the southwest of England, on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester, situated in the south of the county at {{coor dms|50|43|00|N|02|26|00|W|}}. Between its extreme points Dorset measures 50 miles (80 km) from east to west and 40 miles (64 km) north to south, and has an area of 1,024 square miles (2,653 km²). Dorset borders Devon to the west, Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north-east and Hampshire to the east. The county is largely rural with a low population and population density. Dorset's motto is Who's Afear'd.

Settlements

See also: List of places in Dorset.

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Dorset is largely rural with many small villages, few large towns, and no cities. The largest town is the south-east coastal conurbation consisting of the seaside resort of Bournemouth, the historic port of Poole and the town of Christchurch plus many villages. The conurbation is the only settlement in Dorset that could be described as a city (though it does not legally have city status), but in the mid-19th century there was little more than a small town on Poole quay. Bournemouth was created in the Victorian era when sea bathing became popular. As an example of how affluent the area has become, Sandbanks in Poole was worthless land unwanted by farmers in the 19th century, but is said to be amongst the highest land values by area in the world {{ref|sandbanks}}. Bournemouth and Christchurch were added to the county from Hampshire in the county boundary changes of 1974.

Related Topics:
Conurbation - Seaside resort - Bournemouth - Poole - Christchurch - City - City status - 19th century - Victorian era - Sandbanks - Hampshire - 1974

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The other two major settlements in the county are Dorchester, the county town, and Weymouth, one of the first tourist towns, frequented by George III, and still very popular today.

Related Topics:
Weymouth - Tourist towns - George III

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Blandford Forum, Sherborne, Gillingham, Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton are historical market towns which serve the farms and villages of the Blackmore Vale (Hardy's Vale of the Little Dairies). Blandford is home to the Badger brewery of Hall and Woodhouse. Bridport, Lyme Regis and Wareham are also market towns. Lyme Regis and Swanage are small coastal towns popular with tourists.

Related Topics:
Blandford Forum - Sherborne - Gillingham - Shaftesbury - Sturminster Newton - Market town - Hall and Woodhouse - Bridport - Lyme Regis - Wareham - Swanage

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Currently in construction on the western edge of Dorchester is the experimental new town of Poundbury, commissioned and co-designed by Prince Charles. The suburb is designed to integrate residential and retail buildings and counter the growth of dormitory towns and car-oriented development.

Related Topics:
New town - Poundbury - Prince Charles

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