Welcome to the Dorset Directory

The county of Dorset is situated in the south-west of England along the English Channel coastline. The county town is Dorchester to the south of the county but this is by no means the biggest town in Dorset. Bournemouth and Poole are by far the largest towns in the county with populations of approximately 168k and 145k respectively. Other main towns in Dorset include Christchurch, Ferndown and Weymouth.

Dorset shares borders with Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. The county is mainly rural with a low population density apart from south east Dorset where around half the population of the county reside.

Dorset shares what is commonly known as the "Jurassic Coast" with Devon which is a World Heritage Site due to the many important geological and geographic features that exist along this amazing stretch of coastline. Lulworth Cove, Chesil Beach and Durdle Door are all fine examples of land formations which are both beautiful and of scientific interest.

One of the main industries of Dorset is tourism. Places such as Bournemouth, Swanage, Weymouth, Poole and Lyme Regis are wonderful resorts for holidays especially for families. There are huge stretches of fine sandy beaches, pebble beaches and little coves with their rock pools for kids of all ages to explore.

If you want to read in great detail about the various landscapes that Dorset has to offer pick up a novel by Thomas Hardy. Hardy lived near Dorchester and the principle setting for most of his novels is his home county of Dorset.