Dorset

Unitary authority in England

Coordinates:	50.8, -2.38
OS grid ref:	ST 73 00

Dorset is a largely rural unitary authority on the south coast of England, famed for dramatic geology and sweeping coastline. Much of its shore forms the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with well‑known features such as Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and the shingle ridges of Chesil Beach, while inland there are chalk downlands and the wooded ridges of the Isle of Purbeck. The county town, Dorchester, sits amid rolling farmland and historic sites including Roman and medieval remains, and coastal towns such as Weymouth and Lyme Regis are long‑standing seaside destinations.

Culturally and economically Dorset balances tourism, agriculture and light industry: visitor spending around the coast and heritage attractions is a major employer, alongside dairy, arable and sheep farming. The area has strong literary and historic resonances - Thomas Hardy’s fictional Wessex draws heavily on Dorset landscapes - and a continuing military footprint around places such as Bovington Camp and training ranges. Socially the unitary authority faces familiar rural issues - ageing populations, pressure from second‑home ownership and seasonal work - but benefits from active local communities, artisan food and a lively outdoor‑pursuits scene.

Dorset postcode districts

BH16, BH19, BH20, BH21, BH22, BH31, DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, DT8, DT9, DT10, DT11, SP7, SP8

Most populated places in Dorset

Places in Dorset

Alderholt Built-up area
Beaminster Built-up area
Blandford Forum Built-up area
Bourton Built-up area
Bridport Built-up area
Charminster Built-up area
Charmouth Built-up area
Chickerell Built-up area
Corfe Castle Built-up area
Dorchester Built-up area
Ferndown Built-up area
Ferndown Town Parish
Fortuneswell Built-up area
Gillingham Built-up area
Lyme Regis Built-up area
Lytchett Matravers Built-up area
Manston Parish
Marnhull Built-up area
Portland Parish
Shaftesbury Built-up area
Sherborne Built-up area
St. Leonards and St. Ives Parish
Stalbridge Built-up area
Sturminster Marshall Built-up area
Sturminster Newton Built-up area
Swanage Built-up area
Three Legged Cross Built-up area
Verwood Built-up area
Wareham Built-up area
Wareham Town Parish
Weymouth Built-up area
Wool Built-up area