Dorset

Coordinates: 50°48′N 2°18′W / 50.800°N 2.300°W / 50.800; -2.300

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

County of England

This article is about the ceremonial county. For the unitary authority area, see Dorset (district). For other uses, see Dorset (disambiguation).

Ceremonial county in England

Dorset
31st of 48
Density	274/km2 (710/sq mi)
Ethnicity	97.9% White
Unitary authorities
Councils	Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Dorset Council
Districts
Districts of Dorset   Unitary
Districts	Dorset Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Dorset (/ˈdɔːrsɪt/ DOR-sit; archaically: Dorsetshire /ˈdɔːrsɪt.ʃɪər, -ʃər/ DOR-sit-sheer, -⁠shər) is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north and the north-east, Hampshire to the east, the Isle of Wight across the Solent to the south-east, the English Channel to the south, and Devon to the west. The largest settlement is Bournemouth, and the county town is Dorchester.

The county has an area of 2,653 km² (1,024 sq mi) and a population of 772,268. Around half of the population lives in the

unitary authority areas: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and Dorset. The county did not historically

include Bournemouth and Christchurch, which were part of Hampshire.

Dorset has a varied landscape of chalk downs, steep limestone ridges, and low-lying clay valleys. The majority of its coastline is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site due to its geological and palaeontologic significance, and features notable landforms such as Lulworth Cove, the Isle of Portland, Chesil Beach and Durdle Door. The north of the county contains part of Cranbourne Chase, a chalk downland. The highest point in Dorset is Lewesdon Hill (279 m (915 ft)), in the southwest.

There is evidence of

invasion of Normandy, and the large harbours of Portland and Poole were two of the main embarkation points. Agriculture was historically the major industry of Dorset, but is now in decline^{[dubious – discuss}

] in favour of tourism.

Toponymy

Dorset derives its name from the county town of Dorchester.^[2] The Romans established the settlement in the 1st century and named it Durnovaria which was a Latinised version of a Common Brittonic word possibly meaning "place with fist-sized pebbles".^[2] The Saxons named the town Dornwaraceaster (the suffix -ceaster being the Old English name for a "Roman town"; cf. Exeter and Gloucester) and Dornsæte came into use as the name for the inhabitants of the area from Dorn (a reduced form of Dornwaraceaster) and the Old English word sæte (meaning "people").^[2][3] It is first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in AD 845 and in the 10th century the county's archaic name, Dorseteschyre (Dorsetshire), was first recorded.^[4]

History

Main article: History of Dorset

Early history

The first human visitors to Dorset were

hill forts across the county—most notably Maiden Castle which is one of the largest in Europe.^[11][12]

The Romans arrived in Dorset during their conquest of Britain in AD 43. Maiden Castle was captured by a Roman legion under the command of Vespasian, and the Roman settlement of Durnovaria was established nearby.^[13][14] Bokerley Dyke, a large defensive ditch built by the county's post-Roman inhabitants near the border with modern-day Hampshire, delayed the advance of the Saxons into Dorset for almost 150 years.^[15] It appears to have been re-fortified during this period, with the former Roman Road at Ackling Dyke also being blocked by the Britons, apparently to prevent the West Saxon advance into Dorset.^[16]

However, by the end of the 7th century Dorset had fallen under Saxon control and been incorporated into the

Viking attack on the British Isles took place in Dorset on the Portland coast, and they continued to raid into the county for the next two centuries.^[20][21]

After the

Wareham and Dorchester in the early part of the 12th century.^[23] Over the next 200 years Dorset's population grew substantially and additional land was enclosed for farming to provide the extra food required.^[24] The wool trade, the quarrying of Purbeck Marble and the busy ports of Weymouth, Melcombe Regis, Lyme Regis and Bridport brought prosperity to the county.^[25] However, Dorset was devastated by the bubonic plague in 1348 which arrived in Melcombe Regis on a ship from Gascony.^[26] The disease, more commonly known as the Black Death, created an epidemic that spread rapidly and wiped out a third of the population of the country.^[27][28] Dorset came under the political influence of a number of different nobles during the Middle Ages. During the Wars of the Roses, for instance, Dorset came into the area influenced by Humphrey Stafford, earl of Devon (originally of Hooke, Dorset) whose wider influence stretched from Cornwall to Wiltshire. After 1485, one of the most influential Dorset figures was Henry VII's chamberlain Giles Daubeney.^[29]

Modern history

Further information: Dorset in the English Civil War

The

Judge Jeffreys presided over 312 cases: 74 of the accused were executed, 175 were transported, and nine were publicly whipped.^[36] In 1686, at Charborough Park, a meeting took place to plot the downfall of James II of England. This meeting was effectively the start of the Glorious Revolution.^[37]

During the 18th century, much

trade union movement when, in 1834, six farm labourers formed a union to protest against falling wages. The labourers, who are now known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs, were subsequently arrested for administering "unlawful oaths" and sentenced to transportation but they were pardoned following massive protests by the working classes.^[43][44]

The

invasion of Normandy: beach landing exercises were carried out at Studland and Weymouth and the village of Tyneham was requisitioned for army training.^[48][49] Tens of thousands of troops departed Weymouth, Portland and Poole harbours during D-Day and gliders from RAF Tarrant Rushton dropped troops near Caen to begin Operation Tonga

.

Dorset experienced an increase in holiday-makers after the war.

George III's frequent visits to Weymouth, the county's coastline, seaside resorts and its sparsely populated rural areas attract millions of visitors each year.^[40][51] With farming declining across the country, tourism has edged ahead as the primary revenue-earning sector.^[41][52]

Settlements

See also: List of places in Dorset and List of settlements in Dorset by population

Wimborne

Verwood

Gillingham

Shaftesbury

class=notpageimage|

Some of the larger settlements of Dorset

Dorset is largely rural with many small villages, few large towns and no cities.[53]^[54] The only major urban area is the South East Dorset conurbation, which is situated at the south-eastern end of the county and is atypical of the county as a whole. It consists of the seaside resort of Bournemouth, the historic port and borough of Poole, the towns of Christchurch and Ferndown plus many surrounding villages.^[55][56] Bournemouth, the most populous town in the conurbation, was established in the Georgian era when sea bathing became popular.^[57] Poole, the second largest settlement (once the largest town in the county), adjoins Bournemouth to the west and contains the suburb of Sandbanks which has some of the highest land values by area in the world.^[58]

The other two major settlements in the county are Dorchester, which has been the county town since at least 1305,

Dorset covers an area of 2,653 square kilometres (1,024 sq mi) and contains considerable variety in its underlying geology, which is partly responsible for the diversity of landscape.

Dorset has a number of limestone ridges which are mostly covered in either arable fields or

A former river valley flooded by rising sea levels 6,000 years ago, Poole Harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world.^[87][88] The harbour is very shallow in places and contains a number of islands, notably

Dorset's diverse geography ensures it has an assortment of rivers, although a moderate annual rainfall coupled with rolling hills, means most are typically

Dorset's climate of warm summers and mild winters is partly due to its position on Britain's south coast. The third most southerly county in the UK, Dorset is less affected by the more intense Atlantic winds than Cornwall and Devon. Dorset, along with the entire south-west, has higher winter temperatures, average 4.5 to 8.7 °C (40.1 to 47.7 °F), than the rest of the United Kingdom.^[109] However, Dorset maintains higher summer temperatures than Devon and Cornwall, with average highs of 19.1 to 22.2 °C (66.4 to 72.0 °F).^[110] Excluding hills such as the Dorset Downs, the average annual temperature of the county is 9.8 to 12 °C (49.6 to 53.6 °F).^[111]

The south coast counties of Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent enjoy more sunshine than anywhere else in the United Kingdom, receiving 1,541–1,885 hours a year.^[112] Average annual rainfall varies across the county—southern and eastern coastal areas receive 700–800 mm (28–31 in) per year; the Dorset Downs receive between 1,000 and 1,250 mm (39–49 in) per year; less than much of Devon and Cornwall to the west but more than counties to the east.^[113]

Demography

The

More than 33% of the county's population possess a level 4 qualification or above, such as a Higher National Diploma, Degree or a Higher Degree; while nearly 6.3% have no qualifications at all.[125] Almost 43.7% are employed in a professional or technical capacity (Standard Occupational Classification 2010, groups 1–3), just over 10.3% are administrators or secretaries (group 4), around 12.8% have a skilled trade (group 5), over 18% are employed at a low-level in the care, leisure, sales or customer relations sector (groups 6 and 7) and 14.8% are operatives or in elementary occupations (groups 8 and 9).^[125]

Politics

Local government

Local government in Dorset consists of two unitary authorities (UA); Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, which governs the major conurbation comprising the three towns, and Dorset Council which serves the more rural remainder of the county.^[127] For the BCP council, voters choose 76 councillors from 33 wards, with ten wards returning three candidates apiece and 23 wards, two.^[128] Dorset elects 82 councillors representing six three-councillor wards, 18 two-councillor wards and 28 single-councillor wards - 52 wards in total.^[129] In both authorities, elections for the entire council occur every four years.^[130]

The two authorities came into existence on 1 April 2019, when Bournemouth and Poole merged with Christchurch, one of six second-tier districts previously governed by Dorset County Council, leaving the other five districts - Weymouth and Portland, West Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck and East Dorset - to form a second UA.^[131] Dorset County Council was first formed in 1888 by an act of government to govern the newly created administrative county of Dorset which had been based largely on the historic county borders. Dorset became a two-tier non-metropolitan county after a reorganisation of local government in 1974 and its border was extended eastwards to incorporate the former Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch.^{[Note 2][134]} Following a review by the Local Government Commission for England, Bournemouth and Poole each became administratively independent single-tier unitary authorities in 1997.^[135][136]

National representation

For representation in

The marginal seat of South Dorset is represented by Richard Drax, who gained the seat from Labour representative, Jim Knight, in 2010. Drax retained the seat in 2015 and 2017.^{[139][143][144]} The Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency has been represented by the Conservative MP, Michael Tomlinson since 2015.^[145]

In the 2019 general election, the Conservatives held all eight constituencies in Dorset.^[146]

Economy and industry

In 2003 the

In 2009 there were 2,340 armed forces personnel stationed in Dorset including the Royal Armoured Corps at Bovington, Royal Signals at Blandford and the Royal Marines at Poole.^[155] The military presence has had a mixed effect on the local economy, bringing additional employment for civilians, but on occasion having a negative impact on the tourist trade, particularly when popular areas are closed for military manoeuvres.^[156][157]

Other major employers in the county include:

Tourism has grown in Dorset since the late 18th century and is now the predominant industry.[162] It is estimated that 37,500 people work in Dorset's tourism sector.^[163] Some 3.2 million British and 326,000 foreign tourists visited the county in 2008, staying a total of 15.1 million nights.^[164] In addition there were 14.6 million day visitors.^[164] The combined spending of both groups was £1,458 million.^[164] Towns received 56% of Dorset's day trippers, 27% went to the coast and 17% to the countryside.^[165] A survey carried out in 1997 concluded that the primary reason tourists were drawn to Dorset was the attractiveness of the county's coast and countryside.^[166] Numbers of domestic and foreign tourists have fluctuated in recent years due to various factors including security and economic downturn, a trend reflected throughout the UK.^[167]

Manufacturing industry in Dorset provided 10.3% of employment in 2008. This was slightly above the average for Great Britain but below that of the South West region which was at 10.7% for that period.^{[147][148][149]} The sector is the county's fourth largest employer, but a predicted decline suggests there will be 10,200 fewer jobs in manufacturing by 2026.^[168]

Culture

As a largely rural county, Dorset has fewer major cultural institutions than larger or more densely populated areas. Major venues for concerts and theatre include the Lighthouse arts centre in Poole; the Bournemouth International Centre, Pavilion Theatre and O2 Academy in Bournemouth; and the Pavilion theatre in Weymouth.^[169] The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1893,^[170][171] is based in Poole.^[171]

Dorset has more than 30 general and specialist museums.

Dorset hosts a number of annual festivals, fairs and events including the

Dorset is famed in literature for being the native county of author and poet

Dorset's flag, which is known as the Dorset Cross or St Wite's Cross, was adopted in 2008 following a public competition organised by Dorset County Council.^[217][218] The winning design, which features a white cross with a red border on a golden background, attracted 54% of the vote.^[219] All three colours are used in Dorset County Council's coat of arms and the red and white was used in recognition of the English flag.^[220] The golden colour represents Dorset's sandy beaches and the Dorset landmarks of Golden Cap and Gold Hill. It is also a reference to the Wessex Dragon, a symbol of the Saxon Kingdom which Dorset once belonged to, and the gold wreath featured on the badge of the Dorset Regiment.^[220]

Transport

Dorset is connected to London by two main line railways. The

Morebus and Damory provide a county wide bus network with frequent services linking major towns, including Bournemouth, Poole and Wimborne, and a varied service in further rural locations.^[229] The First Group operate buses in the Weymouth and Bridport area, including a regular route along the A35 from Weymouth to Axminster, which helps to compensate for the missing rail link west of Dorchester; and the Jurassic Coaster service, which runs along the county's coastline.^[230][231] Yellow Buses provided bus services within Bournemouth and outlying areas until they ceased operating in 2022.^[232][233]

Religious sites

Unlike all of its neighbouring counties, Dorset does not have a cathedral.^[234] Over 95% of the county falls within the Church of England Diocese of Salisbury.^[235] A small section to the west comes under the Diocese of Bath and Wells and to the east Christchurch and much of Bournemouth—both historically part of Hampshire—belong to the Diocese of Winchester.^[236][237] The Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth incorporates most of Dorset with the exception of Christchurch and a portion of Bournemouth which belongs to the Diocese of Portsmouth.^[238][239] Few purpose-built places of worship exist in Dorset for faiths other than Christianity. In 2008 a Hindu temple was constructed in Blandford Forum for the Gurkhas based at the town's military camp.^[240] Bournemouth, which contains a higher proportion of Jewish residents than the national average, has three synagogues and an Islamic Centre and a mosque for Muslims.^[241][242]

Christianity was introduced to Dorset by the Romans.^[243] A 4th century Roman mosaic discovered near Hinton St Mary contains what is generally accepted to be an image of Christ.^[244][245] Christianity became firmly established in the county during the Saxon period although there are few surviving Saxon churches; the most complete is St. Martin's in Wareham which has features from the early 11th century.^[246][247] Mediaeval churches are more prevalent in Dorset; most are 15th century and are of a Perpendicular style.^[248] Sherborne Abbey, one of the county's largest, is noted for its broad fan vaulting added during an extensive 15th century rebuild.^[249] Founded in AD 705 by Aldhelm, the Abbey contained the chair of the Bishop of Sherborne and was granted cathedral status until 1075 when the diocese was transferred to Old Sarum.^[250] Wimborne Minster features a chained library and a 14th-century astronomical clock;^[251] Christchurch Priory is renowned for its miraculous beam which, according to legend, was installed by Christ;^[252] and the 15th century roof spanning the nave at St John the Baptist Church in Bere Regis is described by architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner as the "finest timber roof of Dorset".^[253] St Candida and Holy Cross at Whitchurch Canonicorum is the only church in the country, besides Westminster Abbey, to have a shrine that contains the relics of a saint.^[254]

Monastic foundations were once abundant in Dorset, but all ceased to exist at the Dissolution of the monasteries.

Responsibility for

Dorset contains a range of privately funded independent schools. Many are boarding schools which also take day pupils, such as the co-educational Canford School which is built around a 19th-century Grade I listed manor house; and Sherborne School, a boys' school founded in the 16th century.^[269]

Four of the county's five largest towns contain a

• Custos Rotulorum of Dorset – list of keepers of the rolls for Dorset
• Dorset – list of MPs for the abolished Dorset county constituency
• List of High Sheriffs of Dorset
• List of hills of Dorset
• Dorset Police
• Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
• Dorset heraldry

Footnotes

Notes

References

• Bathurst, David (2012). Walking the county high points of England. Chichester: Summersdale.
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• ISBN 978-0-416-36450-7
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• Chaffey, John (2004). The Dorset Landscape, Its Scenery and Geology. Tiverton, Devon: Devon Books.
  ISBN 1-871164-43-5
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• Cullingford, Cecil N. (1980). A History of Dorset. Chichester, West Sussex: Phillimore & Co.
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• Darby, H.C.;
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• Draper, Jo (2003). Dorset; The Complete Guide. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press.
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• Ensom, Paul (1998). Discover Dorset: Geology. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press.
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• Hilliam, David (2010). The Little Book of Dorset. Stroud, Gloucestershire:
  ISBN 978-0-7524-5704-8
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• Hinton, David A. (1998). Saxons & Vikings. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press. ISBN 1-874336-50-4
• Kinross, John (2003). Discovering England's smallest churches. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
  ISBN 1-84212-728-4
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• Lehane, Brendan (2006). Dorset's Best Churches. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press.
  ISBN 1-904349-41-2
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• Moxey, Sarah (1997). Avon Valley Footpath Guide. Wellington, Somerset: Halsgrove.
  ISBN 978-1-874448-26-6
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• Newman, John;
  ISBN 0-300-09598-8
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• Putnam, Bill (1998). Discover Dorset: The Prehistoric Age. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press.
  ISBN 1-874336-62-8
  .
• Salmon, Arthur Leslie (1910). Dorset.
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• Stansfield-Cudworth, R. E. (2009). Political Elites in South-West England, 1450–1500: Politics, Governance, and the Wars of the Roses.
  ISBN 978-0-77344-714-1
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• Wightman, R. (1983). Portrait of Dorset. London: Robert Hale.
  ISBN 0-7090-0844-9
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• Wright, John (2003). Discover Dorset, Rivers and Streams. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press.
  ISBN 1-904349-10-2
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• Yarrow, Anne (2009). Corfe Castle. Swindon, Wiltshire:
  ISBN 978-1-84359-004-0
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• ISBN 978-0-7185-1856-1
  .

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dorset.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Dorset.

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