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Other usesgood articlepp-move-indef|small=yesInfobox England county| name = Dorset| motto =| status = Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial and (smaller) Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England|non-metropolitan county| origin = Ancient counties of England|Historic | region = South West England | arearank = List of Ceremonial counties of England by Area|Ranked 20th | area_km2 = 2653| adminarearank =| adminarea_km2 =| iso = GB-DOR (Dorset) GB-POL (Poole) GB-BMH (Bournemouth)| ons = 19| nutscode=| nuts3 = UKK22 (Dorset) UKK21 (Poole and Bournemouth) | poprank = List of ceremonial counties of England by population|Ranked English cerem counties|RNK=Dorset | popestdate = English statistics year| pop = English cerem counties|POP=Dorset| density_km2 = 265| adminpoprank =| adminpop =| ethnicity = 97.9% White| council = Dorset County Council http://www.dorsetforyou.com/ Borough of Poole http://www.poole.gov.uk/ Bournemouth Borough Council http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk| mps = Collapsible list|
Robert Walter (politician)|Robert Walter Conservative Party (UK)|(C)
| subdivname = | subdivs = # Weymouth and Portland # West Dorset # North Dorset # Purbeck (district)|Purbeck # East Dorset # Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch # Bournemouth (Unitary) # Poole (borough)|Poole (Unitary) Dorset (IPAc-en|icon|'|d|?r|s|?|t) (or Archaism|archaically , Dorsetshire ), is a Counties of England|county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch joined the county with the Local Government Act 1972|reorganisation of local government in 1974 . The ceremonial county comprises the area covered by the non-metropolitan county , which is governed by Dorset County Council , together with the unitary authorities of Poole and Bournemouth . Dorset covers an area of convert|2653|km2|sqmi|0; it borders Devon to the west, Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north-east, and Hampshire to the east. Around half of Dorset's population lives in the South East Dorset conurbation . The rest of the county is largely rural with a low population density.
The county has a long history of human settlement and some notable archaeology, including the hill fort s of Maiden Castle, Dorset|Maiden Castle and Hod Hill . A large defensive ditch, Bokerley Dyke , delayed the Saxon people|Saxon conquest of Dorset for up to 150 years. In 1348 the Black Death in England|black death came ashore at Melcombe Regis and subsequently spread throughout England, killing a third of the population. Dorset has seen much civil unrest: the first trade union was formed by farm labourers from Tolpuddle Martyrs|Tolpuddle in 1834, the Glorious Revolution was instigated in an ice-house at Charborough House|Charborough Park , and the Duke of Monmouth and his rebels landed at Lyme Regis . During the English Civil War (1642–1651) angry yokels fought with Cromwell's forces near Shaftesbury . The naval base at Portland Harbour|Portland has had a pivotal role in the nation's defence for many years, and along with Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth and Poole was one of the main embarkation points on D-Day .
Initially agricultural, tourism is now the primary industry, with the county receiving 18 million visitors a year. Over half the county is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . Dorset is famous for the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site , which features landforms such as Lulworth Cove , the Isle of Portland , Chesil Beach and Durdle Door , as well as the holiday resorts of Bournemouth , Poole , Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth , Swanage , and Lyme Regis . Dorset's three large ports at Poole, Weymouth and Portland, and its Bournemouth Airport|international airport at Hurn , play an important part in the local economy, generating a substantial amount of international trade and tourism. Dorset is the birthplace of Thomas Hardy , who used the county as the principal setting of his novels, and William Barnes , whose poetry celebrates and preserves the ancient Dorset dialect.
Toponymy
Dorset derives its name from the county town of Dorchester.cite web|url= http://www.oxfordreference.com/pages/Subjects_and_Titles__2B_05|title=A Dictionary of British Place-Names|publisher= Oxford University Press |year=2003|first=A.D.|last=Mills|accessdate=15 May 2012subscription required When the Roman Britain|Romans established the settlement in the 1st century it was named Durnovaria which was a Latinised version of a British language|Brythonic word possibly meaning "place with fist-sized pebbles". The Anglo-Saxons|Saxons named the town Dornwaraceaster (the suffix "ceaster" being the Old English name for a Roman town) 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 of.Yorke (p.84) It is first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in AD& nbsp;845 in the inflected form "Dornsætum", and in the 10th century the county's archaic name, "Dorseteschyre" (Dorsetshire), was first recorded.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetcountymuseum.org/dorsetcountyboundarysurvey|title=Dorset County Boundary Survey|publisher= Dorset County Museum |year=2010|accessdate=15 May 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/67nlyla39|archivedate=20 May 2012|deadurl=no Dorsetshire continued to be a common alternative name for the county for centuries but it has now fallen out of fashion.
History
Main|History of DorsetThe first human visitors to Dorset were Mesolithic hunters, from around 8000& nbsp; Before Christ|BC . Putman (p.15)Cullingford (p.13) The first permanent Neolithic settlers appeared around 3000& nbsp;BC and were responsible for the creation of the Dorset Cursus , a convert|10.5|km|adj=on long monument constructed for ritual or ceremonial purposes.Putman (p.19)Cullingford (p.14) Their populations were small and concentrated along the coast in the Isle of Purbeck , the Isle of Portland , Weymouth and Chesil Beach and along the River Stour, Dorset|Stour valley .cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/339547|title=Cultural History|date=|work=Dorset for You |publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=24 February 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65VPbsWVT|archivedate=16 February 2012|deadurl=no From 2800& nbsp;BC onwards Bronze Age farmers cleared Dorset's woodlands for agricultural use while Dorset's high chalk hills provided a location for numerous round barrows .Cullingford (p.15) During the Iron Age , Celt ic immigrants known as the Durotriges established a series of hill fort s across the county—most notably Maiden Castle, Dorset|Maiden Castle which is one of the largest of its kind in Europe.Cullingford (pp.16–17)cite web|url= http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx? hob_id=451864 |title=Maiden Castle|page=|year=2007|work=Pastscape – National monuments Records|publisher= English Heritage |accessdate=12 February 2011
The Romans arrived in Dorset during their Roman conquest of Britain|conquest of Britain in AD& nbsp;43. Maiden Castle was captured by a Legio II Augusta|Roman Legion under the command of Vespasian and the Roman settlement of Durnovaria (modern day Dorchester) was established nearby.Cullingford (p.19)cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/vespasian.shtml | title = Vespasian (9 AD – 79 AD) | publisher = BBC | accessdate = 2 April 2008 Bokerly 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.Cullingford (p.26) However, by the end of the 7th century Dorset had fallen under Saxon control and incorporated into the Kingdom of Wessex .Draper (p.142) The Saxons established a Diocese of Salisbury|diocese at Sherborne and Dorset was made a shire —an administrative district of Wessex and predecessor to the Ancient counties of England|English county system—with borders that have changed little since.Cullingford (p.28) In 789 the first recorded Viking attack on the British Isles took place in Dorset along the Portland coast and they continued to raid into the county for the next two centuries.cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/vikinganglosaxons_timeline_noflash.shtml|title=Vikings and Anglo-Saxons|publisher= BBC |year=2012|accessdate=13 May 2012Cullingford (pp.30–36)
After the Norman conquest of England|Norman Conquest in 1066, Feudalism in England|feudal rule was established in Dorset and bulk of the land was divided between the Crown and ecclesiastical institutions.Cullingford (pp.37–38) The Normans consolidated their control over the area by constructing castles at Corfe Castle|Corfe , Wareham Castle|Wareham and Dorchester Castle|Dorchester in the early part of the 12th century.Cullingford (p.43) Over the next 200 years Dorset's population grew substantially and additional land was enclosed for farming to provide the extra food required.Cullingford (p.48) A thriving wool trade, the quarrying of Purbeck Marble and the busy ports of Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth , Melcombe Regis , Lyme Regis and Bridport brought much prosperity to the county.Cullingford (p.54) However, Dorset was devastated by a bubonic plague in 1348 which arrived in Melcombe Regis on a ship from Gascony .Cullingford (pp.54–55) 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.Cullingford (pp.55–56)Hilliam (p.17)
The dissolution of the monasteries met with little resistance in Dorset and many of the county's abbeys, including Shaftesbury Abbey|Shaftesbury , Cerne Abbey|Cerne and Milton Abbey|Milton , were sold to private owners.Cullingford (p.55)Cullingford (pp.59–60) At the commencement of the English Civil War , the Cavalier|Royalists took control of the entire county with the exception of Poole and Lyme Regis. However, within three years their gains had been almost entirely reversed by the Roundhead|Parliamentarians .Cullingford (pp.68–69) An uprising of Clubmen —vigilantes weary of the depredations of the war—took place in Dorset in 1645. Some 2,000 of these rebels offered battle to Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron|Lord Fairfax's Parliamentary army at Hambledon Hill but they were routed with ease.Cullingford (p.71)Hillman (pp.144–145) Sherborne Castle was taken by Fairfax that same year and in 1646 Corfe Castle, the last remaining Royalist stronghold in Dorset, was captured after an act of betrayal: both were subsequently Slighting|slighted .Yarrow (p.26) The James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth|Duke of Monmouth's unsuccessful Monmouth Rebellion|attempt to overthrow James II began when he landed at Lyme Regis in 1665.Cullingford (p.75) A series of trials known as the Bloody Assizes subsequently took place to punish the rebels. Over a five-day period in Dorchester, Judge Jeffreys presided over 312 cases: 74 of the accused were executed, 175 were Penal transportation|transported , and nine were publicly whipped.Cullingford (p.78) In 1686, at Charborough House|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 .Cullingford (p.72)
During the 18th century the Dorset coast saw much smuggling activity; its coves, caves and sandy beaches provided ample opportunities for gangs such as the Hawkhurst Gang|Hawkhursts to slip smuggled goods ashore.Cullingford (p.99)Poole became Dorset's busiest port and established prosperous trade links with the fisheries of Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland which supported cloth, rope and net manufacturing industries in the surrounding towns and villages.Cullingford (p.92) However, the industrial revolution largely bypassed Dorset which lacked coal resources and as a consequence Dorset remained predominantly agricultural.Cullingford (p.105)Draper (p.143)cite web|url= http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_page.jsp? data_theme=T_LAND& data_cube=N_LAND2001& u_id=10104210& c_id=10001043& add=Y |title=Agriculture and Land Use|date=|work=A Vision of Britain Through Time|publisher= University of Portsmouth |accessdate=8 March 2011 Farming has always been central to the economy of Dorset and the county became the birthplace of the modern 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.Hilliam (p.10)Cullingford (pp.114–116)
The Dorsetshire Regiment became the first British unit to experience a Chemical weapons in World War I|gas attack during the First World War and they suffered heavily at the Battle of the Somme with 350 men killed on the first day of the battle.Cullingford (p.133)cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-13154655|publisher= BBC News |title=Somme memorial to Dorset World War I soldiers|date=21 April 2011|accessdate=13 May 2012 In total some 4,500 Dorset servicemen died in the war and of the county's towns and villages, only one, known as a Thankful Villages|Thankful Village , had none of its residents killed.cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15671943|publisher= BBC News |title=Thankful villages: The places where everyone came back from the wars|date=11 November 2011|accessdate=17 May 2012 During the Second World War Dorset was heavily involved in the preparations for the invasion of Normandy : beach landing exercises were carried out at Studland and Weymouth and the village of Tyneham was requisitioned for army training.Cullingford (p.134)cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2009/05/18/dday_exercise_smash_feature.shtml |title=BBC Local – Dorset|publisher= BBC |accessdate=1 April 2011 Tens-of-thousands of troops departed Weymouth, Portland and Poole harbours during D-Day, while gliders from RAF Tarrant Rushton dropped troops near Caen to begin Operation Tonga . Dorset experienced an increase in holiday-makers after the war.Cullingford (p.135) First popularised as a tourist destination by George III of the United Kingdom|George III's frequent visits to Weymouth, the county's seaside resorts, the Jurassic Coast and its sparsely populated rural areas now attract millions of visitors each year.Cullingford (p.92)cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/370025|title=Key facts – tourism|work=Dorset For You|year=2005|publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=2 February 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65XkhKOaQ|archivedate=18 February 2012|deadurl=no With farming declining across the country, tourism has edged ahead as the primary revenue-earning sector of the county.cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/archive/1255030.stm |title=Panorama - Farming in Decline|date=1 April 2001|publisher= BBC |accessdate=16 February 2012
Settlements
See also|List of places in DorsetLocation map+|Dorset|caption = Some of the larger settlements of Dorset. |float = right |width = 350 |places = Location map~|Dorset|label = Bournemouth |long = -1.8809212 |lat = 50.720407 |position=bottom |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Poole |long = -1.983333 |lat = 50.74 |position=left |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch |long = -1.78000 |lat = 50.73000 |position=top |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth |long = -2.4592041 |lat = 50.609909 |position=left |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Blandford Forum |long = -2.1588195 |lat = 50.862645 |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Sherborne |long = -2.5216795 |lat = 50.949320 |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester |long = -2.4415545 |lat = 50.711905 |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Bridport |long = -2.7580196 |lat = 50.733565 |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Wimborne |long = -1.978 |lat = 50.804 |position = right |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Verwood |long = -1.88 |lat = 50.8817 |position=right |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Gillingham, Dorset|Gillingham |long = -2.272 |lat = 51.0375 |position=left |background =white Location map~|Dorset|label = Shaftesbury |long = -2.198 |lat = 51.0066 |position= right |background =white Dorset is largely rural with many small villages, few large towns and no cities.cite news|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-13539202 |title=Bournemouth Bids for Queen's Jubillee City Status|publisher= BBC News |date= 25 May 2011|accessdate=2 June 2011 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.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/390949|title=Joint Study Reports|work=Dorset For You | publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=2 June 2011cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=90980& filetype=pdf |title=South East Dorset Strategy|publisher=Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Partnership |page=2|year=November 2005|accessdate=2 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65XtO4O7E|archivedate=18 February 2012|deadurl=no Bournemouth, the most populous town in the conurbation, was established in the Georgian era when sea bathing became popular.cite web|url= http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/PlanningBuildings/ConservationDesignTrees/Conservation/historyofbournemouth.aspx |title=History of Bournemouth|publisher= Bournemouth Borough Council |accessdate=4 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65XusNzIW|archivedate=18 February 2012|deadurl=no 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.cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/4440107.stm | title = Island on the market for £2.5 million | publisher = BBC | accessdate = 13 April 2005| date=13 April 2005 Originally part of neighbouring county Hampshire , Bournemouth and Christchurch were transferred to Dorset following the Local Government Act 1972|reorganisation of local government in 1974 .cite web|url= http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/1991-and-earlier-censuses/census-bicentenary/area-monitors/regions/dorset/dorset-area-monitor.pdf|format=PDF|page=2|title=200 years of the Census in Dorset|publisher= Office for National Statistics |year=2001|accessdate=25 August 2009|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65XvT9TQO|archivedate=18 February 2012|deadurl=no
The other two major settlements in the county are Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester , which has been the county town since at least 1305,cite web|url= http://www.dorchester-tc.gov.uk/About+Us/Civic+History/The+Mayoralty/The+Mayor+Making+Ceremony|title=The Mayor Making Ceremony|publisher=Dorchester Town Council|year=2007|accessdate=2 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65aY4xUHw|archivedate=20 February 2012|deadurl=no and Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth , a major seaside resort since the 18th century.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/344863 |title=Population – Key Facts|work=Dorset For You | publisher= Dorset County Council |year=2009|accessdate=4 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65aYUD4ny|archivedate=20 February 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/343610|title=Weymouth|work=Dorset For You | publisher= Dorset County Council |year=2009|accessdate=4 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65aZgjr1h|archivedate=20 February 2012|deadurl=no Blandford Forum , Sherborne , Gillingham, Dorset|Gillingham , Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton are historic market town s which serve the farms and villages of the Blackmore Vale in north Dorset.cite web|url= http://www.visit-dorset.com/site/explore-dorset/towns/market-towns |title=Market Towns|publisher=Destination Dorset|year=2010|accessdate=4 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65bA2jthF|archivedate=20 February 2012|deadurl=no Beaminster and Bridport are situated in the west of the county; Verwood and the historic Anglo-Saxon England|Saxon market towns of Wareham, Dorset|Wareham and Wimborne Minster are located to the east. Lyme Regis and Swanage are small coastal towns popular with tourists.cite web|url= http://www.visit-dorset.com/site/explore-dorset/towns/seaside-towns |title=Seaside Towns|publisher=Destination Dorset|year=2010|accessdate=4 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65bAOMmid|archivedate=20 February 2012|deadurl=no Still under construction on the western edge of Dorchester is the experimental new town of Poundbury commissioned and co-designed by Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles .cite web | title = Poundbury | url = http://www.duchyofcornwall.org/designanddevelopment_poundbury.htm | publisher = Duchy of Cornwall | accessdate = 10 August 2009|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65bZdW3Lr|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=no The suburb, which is expected to be fully completed by 2025, was designed to integrate residential and retail buildings and counter the growth of dormitory town s and car-oriented development.cite news| url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3637310/Poundbury-can-Prince-Charles-change-the-way-we-build.html|newspaper= The Daily Telegraph |title=Poundbury: can Prince Charles change the way we build? |date=15 July 2008|accessdate=2 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65baOc0jp|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=no|location=London|first=Clive|last=Aslet
Physical geography
main|Geography of Dorset|Geology of DorsetDorset covers an area of convert|2653|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on and contains considerable variety in its underlying geology , which is partly responsible for the diversity of landscape.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=154835& filetype=pdf |title=Dorset Data Book|page=8|year=2010|work=Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=7 February 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65bbTFzDy|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=noDraper (p.136)Chaffey (p.5) A large percentage (66%) of the county comprises either chalk , clay or mixed sand and gravel s, but the remainder is more complex and contains hard rock such as Portland stone|Portland or Purbeck stone , other limestone s, calcareous clay s and shale s. Draper (pp.136–137) Both Portland and Purbeck stone are of national importance as a building material and for restoring some of Britain's most famous landmarks.cite web | title = Dorset's Minerals Core Strategy| url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=156450& filetype=pdf |format=PDF|page=22|work=Dorset for You| publisher = Dorset County Council | accessdate = 20 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65XrcF0XU|archivedate=18 February 2012|deadurl=nocite web | title = Planning for Minerals and Waste (newsletter number 8)| url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=165006& filetype=pdf|format=PDF|page=3| work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council | accessdate = 26 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/66RmOISE5 |archivedate=26 March 2012|deadurl=no Almost every type of rock known from the Early Jurassic epoch through to the Eocene epoch can be found within the county.Chaffey (p.9)
Dorset has a number of limestone ridges, which are mostly covered in either arable fields or calcareous grassland supporting sheep.Cullingford (p.91) These limestone areas include a wide band of Cretaceous chalk which crosses the county as a range of hills from north-east to south-west, incorporating Cranborne Chase and the Dorset Downs , and a narrow band running from south-west to south-east, incorporating the Purbeck Hills .Chaffey (p.43)Chaffey (p.11) Between the chalk hills are large, wide River valley|vales with wide flood plain s.cite web |url= http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html |title=Geology of Britain Viewer |publisher= British Geological Survey |accessdate=14 February 2011 These vales are dotted with small villages, farms and coppice s,Chaffey (pp.23–26) and include the Blackmore Vale ( River Stour, Dorset|Stour valley ) and River Frome, Dorset|Frome valley . The Blackmore Vale is composed of older Jurassic deposits, largely clays interspersed with limestones, and has traditionally been a centre for dairy agriculture.Wightman (p.15) South-east Dorset, including the lower Frome valley and around Poole and Bournemouth, comprises younger Eocene deposits, mainly sands and clays of poor agricultural quality.Wightman (pp.22–25) The soils created from these deposits support a heathland habitat which sustains all six native British reptile species.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/336264|title=Dorset's Heathland Reptiles|date=|work=Dorset for You|publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=8 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65c5nnPtZ|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=no In the far west of the county there are frequent changes in rock strata, which appear in a less obviously sequential way compared to the chalklands and vales further east.Wightman (p.19) This results in a hilly landscape of diverse character that resembles that of the neighbouring West Country county Devon .Wightman (p.10) Marshwood Vale , a valley of Lower Lias clay at the western tip of the county,Ensom (p.21) lies to the south of the two highest points in Dorset: Lewesdon Hill at convert|279|m|ft|abbr=on and Pilsdon Pen at convert|277|m|ft|abbr=on.Chaffey (p.54)
A former river valley flooded by rising sea levels 6,000 years ago, Poole Harbour is one of the largest natural harbour s in the world.cite news|url= http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/snapshotsofthepast/8721696.Harbour_masters/ |title=Harbour Masters|newspaper= Bournemouth Daily Echo |accessdate=12 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65c6cW9P5|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://www.phc.co.uk/about.html|title=About Us|date=|publisher=Poole Harbour Commissioners|accessdate=14 February 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65c72MfLv|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=no The harbour is very shallow in places and contains a number of islands, notably Brownsea Island , the birthplace of the Scouting movement and one of the few remaining sanctuaries for indigenous red squirrels in England.cite web|url= http://www.pooleharbouraqmp.co.uk/pdf/ph_amp2006_Chapter_5.pdf |title=Nature Conservation and Landscape|format=PDF|pages=1–2|year=2006|work=Poole Harbour Management Plan|publisher=Poole Harbour Commissioners|accessdate=11 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65c7be1Zm|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=no The harbour, and the chalk and limestone hills of the Isle of Purbeck to the south, lie atop Western Europe's largest onshore oil field . The field, operated by BP from Wytch Farm , has the world's oldest continuously pumping well at Kimmeridge which has been producing oil since the early 1960s.Cullingford (p.122)cite web|url= http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/STAGING/global_assets/downloads/U/uk_asset_wytch_farm.pdf|title=Wytch Farm|work=Asset Portfolio|date=|publisher= BP |accessdate=8 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65ctcW4NE|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=no
Dorset's varied geography also ensures it has a variety of rivers, although a modest annual rainfall averaging around convert|900|mm|abbr=on, coupled with rolling hills, means most are characteristically lowland in nature.Wright (p.7) Much of the county drains into three rivers, the River Frome, Dorset|Frome , River Piddle|Piddle and River Stour, Dorset|Stour which all flow to the sea in a south-easterly direction.Wright (pp.6–7) The Frome and Piddle are chalk stream s but the Stour, which rises in Wiltshire to the north, has its origins in clay soil.Wright (pp.7–14) The Hampshire Avon|River Avon , which flows mainly through Wiltshire and Hampshire, enters Dorset towards the end of its journey at Christchurch Harbour .Wright (pp.16–17) The rivers River Axe (Lyme Bay)|Axe and River Yeo (South Somerset)|Yeo , which principally drain the counties of Devon and Somerset respectively, have their sources in the north-west of the county, while in the south-west, a number of small rivers run into the sea along the Dorset coastline; most notable of these are the River Char|Char , River Brit|Brit , River Bride|Bride and River Wey, Dorset|Wey .Wright (p.17)
Most of Dorset's coastline forms the major part of the Jurassic Coast , a World Heritage Site , which stretches for 95 miles between Exmouth in Devon and Studland in Dorset. This coast documents the entire Mesozoic era, from Triassic to Cretaceous and is noted for its geological landform s.cite news | title = Jurassic coast is world wonder | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1708397.stm | publisher = BBC News | accessdate = 12 August 2009| date=13 December 2001 The Dorset section has yielded important fossil s, including the first complete Ichthyosaur and Jurassic trees. It also features notable coastal landforms, including textbook examples of a cove ( Lulworth Cove ), a natural arch ( Durdle Door )cite web|url= http://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/aboutthepath/description/dorset/ |title=Path Description – Dorset|date=|publisher=South West Footpath Association|accessdate=13 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65cxM60pF|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=no and, at the most easterly part of the Jurassic Coast, the chalk Stack (geology)|stacks known as Old Harry Rocks .cite web|url= http://www.jurassiccoast.com/380/the-coast-uncovered-30/geo-highlights-226/old-harry-rocks-the-end-of-the-story-623.html |title=Old Harry Rocks|date=|publisher=Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site|accessdate=18 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65cy4eMYq|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=no Jutting out into the English Channel at roughly the midpoint of the Dorset coastline is the Isle of Portland , a limestone island that is connected to the mainland by Chesil Beach , a convert|17|mi|adj=on long Shingle beach|shingle Shoal|barrier beach protecting Chesil_Beach#The_Fleet_Lagoon|Britain's largest tidal lagoon .cite web|url= http://www.westdorset.com/site/group-travel/itineraries/jurassic-jewels|title=Jewels of the Jurassic Coast|date=|publisher=West Dorset District Council|accessdate=13 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65czGCon3|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=noChaffey (pp.68–70)
The county has one of the highest proportions of conservation area s in England—including two AONB|Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty which together cover 53% of the county.cite web|url= http://www.swo.org.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd? AssetID=45845& type=full& servicetype=Inline|title=Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole Brief|page=1|date=May 2010|work=|publisher= South West Observatory |accessdate=19 August 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65ddI4MXy|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/363371 |title=Planning constraints|page=|date=|work=Dorset for You |publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=19 August 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65d3cxj4i|archivedate=21 February 2012|deadurl=no There is also a convert|114|km|mi|abbr=on World Heritage Site ,cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp? articleid=332789 | title = Length of coastline and coastal designations | work=Dorset for You|publisher = Dorset County Council | accessdate = 25 July 2007 two Heritage Coast s totaling convert|92|km|mi|abbr=on and SSSI|Sites of Special Scientific interest covering convert|199.45|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on.cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp? articleid=332782 | title = Nature Conservation Designations – SSSIs | work=Dorset for You|publisher = Dorset County Council | accessdate = 25 July 2007|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65eB6hivp|archivedate=22 February 2012|deadurl=no The South West Coast Path , a National Trails (United Kingdom)|National Trail , runs along the Dorset coast from the Devon boundary to South Haven Point near Poole.cite web|url= http://www.magazine.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/magazine/tscontent/editorials/walking/2011/south-west-coast-path.html|title=The South West Coast Path|publisher= Ordnance Survey |accessdate=30 January 2012
Climate
Dorset's climate of warm summers and mild winters are due in part to its position on Britain's south coast. The third most southerly county in the UK, Dorset is unaffected by the more intense winds of Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic storms that Cornwall and Devon experience. Dorset, along with the south-west, experiences higher winter temperatures, average 4.5 to 8.7& nbsp;°C (40 to 48& nbsp;°F), than the rest of the United Kingdom,cite web | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/16.gif | title = Mean Temperature Winter Average | publisher = Met Office | accessdate = 14 August 2007|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65eBXT7ZX|archivedate=22 February 2012|deadurl=no while still maintaining higher summer temperatures than that of Devon and Cornwall, which experience average highs of 19.1 to 22.2& nbsp;°C (66 to 72& nbsp;°F).cite web | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmax/14.gif | title = Maximum Temperature Summer Average | publisher = Met Office | accessdate = 14 August 2007|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65eBrp552|archivedate=22 February 2012|deadurl=no The average annual temperature of the county is 9.8 to 12& nbsp;°C (50 to 54& nbsp;°F), apart from areas of high altitude such as the Dorset Downs.cite web | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/17.gif | title = Mean Temperature Annual Average | publisher = Met Office | accessdate = 14 August 2007|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65eCD6Fra|archivedate=22 February 2012|deadurl=no
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.cite web | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/ss/17.gif | title = Sunshine Duration Annual Average | publisher = Met Office | accessdate = 14 August 2007|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65eCfApaD|archivedate=22 February 2012|deadurl=no Average annual rainfall varies across the county—southern and eastern coastal areas receive as little as convert|741|mm|in|1|abbr=on per year, while the Dorset Downs receive between 1,061 and 1,290& nbsp;mm (41.7 to 50.8& nbsp;in) per year; less than Devon and Cornwall to the west but more than counties to the east.cite web | year = 2001 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/rr/17.gif | title = Rainfall Amount Annual Average | publisher = Met Office | accessdate = 14 August 2007|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65eD2Z9X4|archivedate=22 February 2012|deadurl=no Weather box|location = Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth , England (1981–2010) data |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan high C = 8.6 |Feb high C = 8.3 |Mar high C = 10.3 |Apr high C = 12.5 |May high C = 15.5 |Jun high C = 18.0 |Jul high C = 20.2 |Aug high C = 20.3 |Sep high C = 18.5 |Oct high C = 15.2 |Nov high C = 11.9 |Dec high C = 9.1 |year high C = 14.03 |Jan low C = 4.0 |Feb low C = 3.1 |Mar low C = 4.7 |Apr low C = 5.7 |May low C = 8.8 |Jun low C = 11.0 |Jul low C = 13.0 |Aug low C = 13.8 |Sep low C = 12.2 |Oct low C = 9.9 |Nov low C = 6.8 |Dec low C = 4.3 |year low C = 8.11 |Jan precipitation mm = 75.9 |Feb precipitation mm = 64.3 |Mar precipitation mm = 61.8 |Apr precipitation mm = 49.4 |May precipitation mm = 46.4 |Jun precipitation mm = 45.3 |Jul precipitation mm = 37.1 |Aug precipitation mm = 47.8 |Sep precipitation mm = 56.4 |Oct precipitation mm = 85.1 |Nov precipitation mm = 93.1 |Dec precipitation mm = 88.6 |year precipitation mm = 751.2 |Jan sun = 67.2 |Feb sun = 79.9 |Mar sun = 128.7 |Apr sun = 196.3 |May sun = 223.6 |Jun sun = 225.3 |Jul sun = 239.2 |Aug sun = 219.6 |Sep sun = 171.6 |Oct sun = 123.9 |Nov sun = 85.8 |Dec sun = 63.6 |year sun = 1824.7 |source 1 =Dorset For Youcite web|url= http://webapps-wpbc.dorsetforyou.com/apps/weather/annualreport.asp| title=Weymouth 1981–2010 averages | work=Dorset for You|publisher= Dorset County Council | accessdate=13 February 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65eDamScl|archivedate=22 February 2012|deadurl=no |date=2011
Demography
Dorset Ethnicity and Religion
Total population
White
Mixed
Asian
Black
Chinese or Other
Christian
Non Christian
No religion
Not stated
The 2001 census records Dorset's population as 692,712. This consisted of 390,980 for the Administrative counties of England|administrative county plus 163,444 for the unitary authority of Bournemouth and 138,288 for the unitary authority of Poole. In 2009 it was estimated that the population had risen by around 2.5% to 710,100 with 404,000 in the administrative county and 164,900 and 141,200 in Bournemouth and Poole respectively.cite web | title = Current Population | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp? articleid=344105 | work=Dorset For You| publisher = Dorset County Council | accessdate = 25 August 2009|year=2007|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65hFapHrf|archivedate=24 February 2012|deadurl=no The South East Dorset conurbation which comprises Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch contains 62% of the population, with the next largest urban area being Weymouth.cite web | title = Dorset's Minerals Core Strategy| url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=156450& filetype=pdf |page=20| work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council | accessdate = 20 April 2011|year=|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65XrcF0XU|archivedate=18 February 2012|deadurl=no The remainder of the county is largely rural with a sparse population.
Dorset's population has a high proportion of older people and a lower than average proportion of young people: 26.7% are of retirement age, significantly higher than the England and Wales average of 19.5%, and 16.8% are less than 15 years old, lower than the England and Wales average of 18.7%.cite web | title = Dorset Data Book| url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=154835& filetype=pdf |page=9| work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council | accessdate = 20 April 2011|year=2010 The working age population (females between 16 and 59 and males between 16 and 64) is lower than average at 56.5%. Average life expectancy within the county is 83.4 years for females and 79.3 years for males. This compares favourably with the averages for Great Britain of 81.6 and 77.3 years respectively.Low Down 26 p15">cite web | title = The Low Down (issue 26)| url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=143503& filetype=pdf|page=15| work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council | accessdate = 20 April 2011|year=Feb 2010|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65eEYYl9v|archivedate=22 February 2012|deadurl=no Around 97.93% of Dorset's population are of white ethnicity, 74.38% of the population are Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christian and 15.94% say they are not religious.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/325672|title=Christchurch Borough Profile|page=|year=2001|work=Dorset for You|publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=24 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65eZmB218|archivedate=22 February 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/PeopleLiving/BournemouthStatistics/Datasets/Census/2001Census/Bournemouthprofile.pdf |title=Profile of Bournemouth 2001 |page=3|year=2003|format=PDF|publisher= Bournemouth Borough Council |accessdate=24 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65ggctHCo|archivedate=24 February 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://opinions.discussit.co.uk/facts/ref:C46C00D7B6DAEE/category:/ |title=Diversity in Poole|page=|year=2011|work=|publisher= Borough of Poole |accessdate=24 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65gh7MT7g|archivedate=24 February 2012|deadurl=no
The administrative county (not including Bournemouth and Poole) has one of the lowest birth rate s of the 34 shire Counties of England|English counties , at 9.1 births per 1,000, compared to the England and Wales average of 12.9 per 1,000. It has a slightly higher than average mortality rate at 11.5 deaths per 1,000 population (9.0 for England and Wales).cite web | year = 2010 | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp? articleid=333003 | title = Keyfacts on Dorset – general | work=Dorset for You|publisher = Dorset County Council | accessdate = 24 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65ghWJerv|archivedate=24 February 2012|deadurl=no In 2009 deaths exceeded births by 946, however in 2007–2008 there was a net influx of 3,000 migrants giving an overall growth in the size of Dorset's population of 12.0% between 1991 and 2009 (9.9% for England and Wales). This rate of growth is set to continue with an estimated 12.7% population growth between 2008 and 2033. The unitary authorities of Bournemouth and Poole followed a similar pattern, with only a net gain of migrants preventing a decline in the population.cite web | year = September 2011 | url = http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/PeopleLiving/BournemouthStatistics/Themes/PopulationMigration/Population/PopulationTrendsinBournemouth2011.pdf | title = Population Trends in Bournemouth| publisher = Bournemouth Borough Council |page=4| accessdate = 30 January 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65hD5juYN|archivedate=24 February 2012|deadurl=nocite web | year = | url = http://opinions.discussit.co.uk/downloads/assets/Population.pdf| title = Poole's Population (2004)| publisher = Borough of Poole |page=2| accessdate = 24 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65hDY0Y9q|archivedate=24 February 2012|deadurl=no However, in Bournemouth in 2007, births began to exceed deaths and in 2010 there were 224 more births than deaths. Between 1998 and 2004 Poole borough experienced a decline in its population caused by continuing negative rates of natural increase and falls in the level of net migration. The trend has since been reversed and a continued increase in Poole's population has been predicted.cite web | year = | url = http://opinions.discussit.co.uk/downloads/assets/Population_Report_2010.pdf| title = Poole's Population – Key Issues| publisher = Borough of Poole |page=| accessdate = 24 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65iIKtZdl|archivedate=25 February 2012|deadurl=no
Historical population of Dorset
Year
1801
1811
1821
1831
1841
1851
1861
1871
1881
1891
1901
Population
Year
1911
1921
1931
1941
1951
1961
1971
1981
1991
2001
2011
Population
Pre-1974 statistics were gathered from local government areas that now comprise Dorset Source: Great Britain Historical GIS . cite web
Politics
Local government in England|Local government in Dorset consists of a county council ( Dorset County Council ) and two unitary authorities ( Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Poole ). Dorset County Council was created by the Local Government Act 1888 to govern the newly created administrative county of Dorset which was based largely on the Ancient counties of England|historic county borders. In 1974 Dorset became a two-tier non-metropolitan county and its border was extended eastwards to incorporate the former Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch. Following a review by the Local Government Commission for England (1992)|Local Government Commission for England , Bournemouth and Poole both became administratively independent single-tier unitary authorities in 1997, although they remain part of the county geographically and for ceremonial purposes. The county council is based in Dorchester and comprises six second-tier Non-metropolitan district|districts : West Dorset , East Dorset , North Dorset , Purbeck (district)|Purbeck , Christchurch, and Weymouth and Portland . It is controlled by the Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party : at the Dorset County Council election, 2009|2009 local elections 28 Conservative, 16 Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrat and one independent county councillors were elected.cite news|url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/local-elections/5278896/Dorset-county-council-local-election-2009.html|title=Dorset county council local election 2009|newspaper= The Daily Telegraph |date=18 May 2009|accessdate=9 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65iIlc4vO|archivedate=25 February 2012|deadurl=no|location=London Bournemouth is also Conservative-controlled: the council comprises 46 Conservative, three Liberal Democrat, three Labour Party (UK)|Labour and two independent councillors.cite web|url= http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/CouncilDemocracy/Councillors/CouncillorsandCommittees.aspx|title=Full list of councillors|publisher= Bournemouth Borough Council |year=2011|accessdate=9 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65iJ8XetY|archivedate=25 February 2012|deadurl=no The Conservatives lost overall control of Poole at Poole Council election, 2011|local elections in 2011 but subsequently formed a minority administration —the council comprises 21 Conservative councillors, 18 Liberal Democrat and three Poole People (a political party of Poole residents).cite news|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-13387838|title=Conservatives to run Poole as minority administration|publisher= BBC News |date=13 May 2011|accessdate=9 June 2011
For representation in Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament Dorset is divided into eight Parliamentary constituencies — five county constituencies and three borough constituencies . At the United Kingdom general election, 2010|2010 general election , the Conservative Party was dominant, strengthening their lead in six seats, and regaining one other from Labour.cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/england/8660695.stm|title=Labour's Jim Knight loses Dorset South seat to Tories |publisher= BBC News |date=7 May 2010|accessdate=9 June 2011 The borough constituencies of Bournemouth East (UK Parliament constituency)|Bournemouth East , Bournemouth West (UK Parliament constituency)|Bournemouth West and Poole (UK Parliament constituency)|Poole are traditionally Conservative safe seats and are all represented by Conservative Members of Parliament.cite news|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/interactive/2010/apr/07/general-election-2010|title=Election 2010: Which are the safest seats in Britain? |newspaper= The Guardian |date=7 April 2010|accessdate=9 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65ilw2MmC|archivedate=25 February 2012|deadurl=no|location=London|first=Christine|last=Oliver The county constituencies of North Dorset (UK Parliament constituency)|North Dorset and Christchurch (UK Parliament constituency)|Christchurch are also represented by Conservative MPs. West Dorset (UK Parliament constituency)|West Dorset is represented by Conservative MP Oliver Letwin who is the Cabinet Office|Minister for Government Policy .cite web|url= http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Letwin_Oliver.aspx |title=Oliver Letwin – Minister for Government Policy|publisher= Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party |accessdate=12 February 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65imUWq02|archivedate=25 February 2012|deadurl=no The marginal seat of South Dorset (UK Parliament constituency)|South Dorset is represented by Richard Drax , who gained the seat from Dorset's only Labour representative, Jim Knight , in 2010.cite web|url= http://www.itv.com/meridian-west/dorset-south-profile47258/ |title=Dorset South Profile|publisher= ITV Meridian |date=26 April 2010|accessdate=25 February 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65irhIQaY|archivedate=25 February 2012|deadurl=yes Mid Dorset and North Poole (UK Parliament constituency)|Mid Dorset and North Poole is held by Liberal Democrat MP Annette Brooke who retained her seat in 2010 with a slim majority of 269 (0.6% of the vote) over the Conservative candidate.cite news|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/constituency/1121/dorset-mid-and-poole-north|title=Dorset Mid and Poole North|newspaper= The Guardian |year=2010|accessdate=9 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65isv90oP|archivedate=25 February 2012|deadurl=no|location=London For the European Parliament the county lies within the South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England constituency which elected three Conservative, two UK Independence Party and one Liberal Democrat Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) at the European Parliament election, 2009 (United Kingdom)|2009 European Parliament election .cite web|url= http://www.europarl.org.uk/view/en/your_MEPs/List-MEPs-by-region/South-West.html|title=Your MEPs|publisher=European Parliament Information Office in the United Kingdom|year=2009|accessdate=9 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65lDkD5nn|archivedate=1 March 2012|deadurl=no
Economy and industry
excludes
Dorset (Administrative County) cite web
Manufacturing
Construction
Services
ref label>includes
A.note label
In 2003 the gross value added (GVA) for the administrative county was Pound sterling|£ 4,673 million, with an additional £4,705 million for Poole and Bournemouth.cite web | year = 2003 | url = http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf | title = Regional Gross Value Added | publisher = Office for National Statistics | format = PDF | page= 249| accessdate = 14 August 2007| archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query? url=www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf& date=2010-01-18|archivedate=18 January 2010|deadurl=yes 2.03% of GVA was produced by primary industry , 22.44% from secondary industry and 75.53% from tertiary industry . The average GVA for the 16 South West England#Subdivisions|regions of South West England was £4,693 million.
The principal industry in Dorset was once agriculture. It has not, however, been the largest employer for many decades as mechanisation has substantially reduced the number of workers required.cite web|url= http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_page.jsp? data_theme=T_IND& data_cube=N_INDUSTRY_GEN& u_id=10104210& c_id=10001043& add=Y|title=Historical Statistics – Industry|date=|work=A Vision of Britain Through Time|publisher= University of Portsmouth |accessdate=26 April 2011 Agriculture has become less profitable and the industry has declined further. Within the administrative county between 1995 and 2003, GVA for primary industry (largely agriculture with some fishing and quarrying) declined from £229 to £188 million—7.1% to 4.0%. In 2007, convert|2039|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on of the county was in agricultural use, up from convert|1986|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on in 1989, although this was due to an increase in permanent grass, and land set aside .cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/332783| title = Area under crops and grass, 1989-2007 |work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council | format = | accessdate = 26 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rHnSFhm|archivedate= 2 March 2012|deadurl=no By contrast, in the same period, arable land decreased from convert|9925|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on to convert|9157|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on. Excluding fowl , sheep are currently the most common animal stock in the county; between 1989 and 2006 their numbers fell from 252,189 to 193,500. Cattle and pig farming has declined similarly; during the same period the number of cattle fell from 240,413 to 170,700, and the number of pigs from 169,636 to 72,700.cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/332785 | title = Livestock 1989-2007 |work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council | accessdate = 26 April 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rIExOrB|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no
In 2009 there were 3,190 armed forces personnel stationed in Dorset cite web|url= http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/military-in-the-south-west.pdf|title= Military Presence and Economic Significance in the South West Region|page=23|date=March 2009|work=|publisher= Wiltshire Council |accessdate=7 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rJqYYLg|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no including, the Royal Armoured Corps at Bovington ,cite web|url= http://www.army.mod.uk/training_education/training/16131.aspx|title= Armour Centre, Bovington|work=|publisher= British Army |accessdate=6 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rKYqqpB|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no Royal Signals at Blandford cite web|url= http://www.army.mod.uk/signals/organisation/8596.aspx|title= 11 (RSS) Sig Regt|work=|publisher= British Army |accessdate=6 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rKIpzVC|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no and the Royal Marines at Poole.cite web|url= http://www.armedforces.co.uk/navy/listings/l0038.html|title= Royal Navy Listings|pages=|date=|work=|publisher=Defence Suppliers Directory|accessdate=6 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rL0qJ9T|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no 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 due to military manoeuvres.cite web|url= http://www.thisisdorset.net/news/1130925.fears_for_4_000_jobs_at_army_base/|title=Fears for 4000 jobs at army base|date=18 January 2007|work= Dorset Echo |accessdate=6 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rLP2uah|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media/pdf/5/f/Topic_Paper_Military.pdf|title=Military Activity|pages=2& 3|date=|work=|publisher=Dorset Coast Forum|accessdate=6 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rLjcoKA|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no Recent plans to relocate the Royal School of Signals to South Wales could result in a loss of up to £74 million GVA for the area.cite web|url= http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/military-in-the-south-west.pdf|title= Military Presence and Economic Significance in the South West Region|page=9|date=March 2009|publisher= Wiltshire Council |accessdate=7 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rJqYYLg|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no
Other major employers in the county include: BAE Systems , Sunseeker International , J.P. Morgan Chase|J.P. Morgan , Cobham plc and Bournemouth University .cite web | year = | url = http://www.investindorset.co.uk/economy.html| title = Invest in Dorset – Economy| publisher = Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Economic Partnership| accessdate = 3 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rsTZyeY|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no Dorset's three large ports, Poole Harbour|Poole , Weymouth Harbour, Dorset|Weymouth and Portland Harbour|Portland , and the smaller harbours of Christchurch, Swanage, Lyme Regis, Wareham and West Bay play an important part in the local economy, generating a substantial amount of international trade and tourism.cite web | year = | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/21037 | title = Coastal Economy| work=Dorset For You | publisher= Dorset County Council | accessdate = 3 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rsy8szw|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no Around 230 fishing vessels are based in Dorset's ports which predominantly catch crab and lobster.cite web | year = 2010| url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=163315& filetype=pdf| title = Fisheries| format =pdf |page=1 | work=Dorset Coast Forum |work=Dorset For You | publisher= Dorset County Council | accessdate = 30 January 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rtf3G3r|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no The waters around Weymouth and Portland will be used for the sailing events in the 2012 Olympic Games and as a result the area has already benefitted from an increased investment in infrastructure and a noticeable growth in the marine leisure sector. It is expected that this in turn will have a positive effect on local businesses and tourism.cite web | year = | url = http://media.weymouth.gov.uk/docstore/Tourism/POL_20200205_StratConsult.pdf| title = Weymouth and Portland Economic and Tourism Development Strategy| format = PDF | page=14| publisher = Weymouth and Portland Borough Council| accessdate = 4 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rttOyzG|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no Tourism has grown in Dorset since the late 18th century and is now the predominate industry.cite web | year = | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=8835& filetype=pdf| title = Tourism| format = PDF | page=1| publisher = Dorset Coastal Forum| accessdate = 9 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rw6663z|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no It is estimated that 37,500 people work in Dorset's tourism sector.cite web | year = | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=8835& filetype=pdf| title = Tourism| format = PDF | page=3| publisher = Dorset Coastal Forum| accessdate = 9 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rw6663z|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no 3.2 million British tourists and 326,000 foreign tourists visited the county in 2008, staying a sum total of 15.1 million nights. In addition there were 14.6 million day visitors. The combined spending of both groups was Pound sterling|£ 1,458 million.cite web | title = The Value of Tourism 2008| url = http://www.swtourismalliance.org.uk/files/download.php? m=documents& f=100419151051-4Dorsetdistricts08.pdf | publisher = South West Tourism Alliance|work= VoT 2008 - 4 Dorset and Districts 2008 (page 1)| accessdate = 13 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65t586FjB|archivedate=3 March 2012|deadurl=no 56% of Dorset's day trippers visited the towns, while 27% went to the coast and 17% to the countryside.cite web | title = The Value of Tourism 2008| url = http://www.swtourismalliance.org.uk/files/download.php? m=documents& f=100419151051-4Dorsetdistricts08.pdf | publisher = South West Tourism Alliance|work= VoT 2008 – 4 Dorset and Districts 2008 (page 7)| accessdate = 13 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65t586FjB|archivedate=3 March 2012|deadurl=no 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.cite web | year = | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=8835& filetype=pdf| title = Tourism| format = PDF | page=4| publisher = Dorset Coastal Forum| accessdate = 13 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rw6663z|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no Numbers of both domestic and foreign tourists have fluctuated in recent years due to various factors including security and economic downturn, a trend reflected throughout the UK.cite web | title = UK Tourism Lowest for 7 years | url = http://news.icm.ac.uk/business/uk-tourism-lowest-for-7-years/2726/ | publisher = Institute of Commercial Management | accessdate = 8 August 2009|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65rwbuEcS|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no
Dorset has little manufacturing industry, at 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. cite web | year = | url = https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128585/report.aspx? town=Dorset#tabempocc| title = Labour Market Profile Dorset| format = | page=| publisher = Office for National Statistics | accessdate = 20 May 2011cite web | year = | url = https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431918/report.aspx? town=poole | title = Labour Market Profile Poole|publisher = Office for National Statistics | accessdate = 20 May 2011cite web | year = | url = https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431914/report.aspx? town=Bournemouth| title = Labour Market Profile Bournemouth| format = | page=| publisher = Office for National Statistics | accessdate = 20 May 2011 The sector is currently the county's fourth largest employer, but a predicted decline suggests there will be 10,200 fewer jobs in manufacturing by 2026.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=141119& filetype=pdf| title = Bournemouth Dorset Poole Workspace Strategy and Delivery Plan|page=60 | publisher = South West Regional Development Agency | format = PDF| accessdate = 13 February 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65s0Hxjig|archivedate=2 March 2012|deadurl=no
Culture
Main|Culture of Dorset, England 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 Poole's The Lighthouse (Poole)|Lighthouse arts centre, Bournemouth's Bournemouth International Centre|BIC , Pavilion Theatre (Bournemouth)|Pavilion Theatre and O2 Academy Bournemouth|O2 Academy , Verwood's The Hub (Verwood)|Hub , Wimborne's Tivoli Theatre (Wimborne Minster)|Tivoli Theatre , Bridport Arts Centre and the Weymouth Pavilion|Pavilion theatre in Weymouth.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/2802 |title=Cinemas and theatres|date=|work=Dorset For You | publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=21 May 2011 One of Dorset's most noted cultural institutions is the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra which was founded in 1893.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/culturalstrategy |title=Cultural Strategy|page=|year=2010|work=Dorset For You | publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=21 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65uY0VRbc|archivedate= 4 March 2012|deadurl=nocite web | title = Orchestra | url = http://www.bsolive.com/orchestra | publisher = Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra | accessdate = 25 August 2009|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65uWs3x7N|archivedate= 4 March 2012|deadurl=no Based in Poole, the orchestra performs over 130 concerts across southern England each year.
Dorset has more than 30 general and specialist museums.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/museums |title=Dorset Museums|work=Dorset For You | publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=23 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65v7pnyRD|archivedate=4 March 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/323007 |title=Find a Museum|date=|work=Dorset For You | publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=23 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65v79pzMV|archivedate=4 March 2012|deadurl=no The Dorset County Museum in Dorchester was founded in 1846 and contains an extensive collection of exhibits covering the county's history and environment.cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2008/04/16/george_romney_profile.shtml |title=Museum acquires major art works|date=18 April 2008|publisher= BBC |accessdate=1 February 2012 The Bovington Tank Museum|Tank Museum at Bovington contains over 300 tanks and armoured vehicles from 30 countries.cite web|url= http://www.culture24.org.uk/history+%26+heritage/war+%26+conflict/art72596|title=Plaques presented to military museums with outstanding Designated collections|publisher= Culture24 |date=8 October 2009|accessdate=30 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65v8zd0dd|archivedate=4 March 2012|deadurl=no The museum is the largest in Dorset and its collection has been Designation Scheme|Designated of national importance.cite news|url= http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/roll/article-849723-detail/article.html|title=They're on a roll!|newspaper= Bristol Evening Post |date=28 March 2009|accessdate=30 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65v9rXsXe|archivedate= 5 March 2012|deadurl=no Other museums which reflect the cultural heritage of the county include The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester, the Russell-Cotes Museum in Bournemouth, the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre , Poole Museum , Portland Museum, Dorset|Portland Museum and Wareham Town Museum .cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=139307& filetype=pdf |title=Dorset Cultural Strategy 2009–2014|page=15|date=|work=|publisher=Dorset Strategic Partnership|accessdate=23 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65swrvDFX|archivedate=3 march 2012|deadurl=no
Dorset contains 190 Conservation Area (United Kingdom)|Conservation Area s, more than 1,500 Scheduled Ancient Monuments , over 30 registered parks and gardens and 12,850 listed buildings .cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/393172 |title=Dorset Cultural Partnership|work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=6 February 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65v60C5Ps|archivedate=4 March 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/listedbuilding |title=Listed Buildings DCC|work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=26 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65xN3vl6A|archivedate=6 March 2012|deadurl=no Grade 1 listed buildings include: Portland Castle , a coastal fort commissioned by Henry VIII ,cite web|url= http://morello.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/portland-castle/|title=Days Out|page=|date=|work=|publisher= English Heritage |accessdate=20 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/66JVO9vVm|archivedate=20 March 2012|deadurl=no a Corfe Castle|castle with more than a 1,000 years of history at Corfe Castle, Dorset|Corfe ,cite web|url= http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle/history/|title=Corfe Castle History|page=|date=|work=|publisher= National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust |accessdate=20 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/66JWVuW4q|archivedate=20 March 2012|deadurl=no the best preserved Roman town house in the United Kingdom,cite web|url= http://news.dorsetforyou.com/2010/08/step-inside-dorchesters-roman-town-house-this-summer/|title=Step inside Dorchester’s Roman Town House this summer|work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=25 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/66R9Uf8e8 |archivedate=25 March 2012|deadurl=no a Tudor dynasty|Tudor mansion Athelhampton House ,cite web|url= http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2011/04/athelhampton-house/|title=Athelhampton House|work=Dorset Life|date=April 2011|accessdate=20 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/66JMteOHL|archivedate=20 March 2012|deadurl=no Forde Abbey a stately home and former cistercian monastery,cite web|url= http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx? uid=1153362|title=Forde Abbey|page=|date=|work=|publisher= English Heritage |accessdate=23 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/66NFDGQT3|archivedate=23 March 2012|deadurl=no the longest church in England Christchurch Priory ,Moxey (p.87) and one of the smallest St Edwold's Church, Stockwood|St Edwold's .Kinross (pp.39–40)
Dorset hosts a number of annual festivals, fairs and events including the Great Dorset Steam Fair near Blandford, one of the largest events of its kind in Europe,cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2006/03/15/great_dorset_steam_fair_feature.shtml |title=The Great Dorset Steam Fair|year=2005|=|publisher= BBC |accessdate=29 May 2011 and the Bournemouth Air Festival , a free air show that attracted 1.3 million visitors in 2010.cite news|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-11053021 |title=Weather affects last day of air show|date=22 August 2010|publisher= BBC News |accessdate=28 May 2011 The Spirit of the Seas is a maritime festival held in Weymouth and Portland. Launched in 2008, the festival features sporting activities, cultural events and local entertainers.cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2008/02/28/spirit_of_the_sea_feature.shtml |title=Spirit of the Sea festival|year=2009|publisher= BBC |accessdate=29 May 2011 The Dorset County Show, which was first held in 1841, is a celebration of Dorset's agriculture.cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/dorset/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8231000/8231473.stm |title=Dorset County Show|page=|date=1 September 2009|work=|publisher= BBC News |accessdate=28 May 2011 The two day event exhibits local produce and livestock and attracts some 55,000 people. In addition to the smaller folk festivals held in towns such as Christchurch and Wimborne Folk Festival|Wimborne ,cite web|url= http://www.visit-dorset.com/site/whats-on/christchurch-music-festival-p598313 |title=Christchurch Music Festival|page=|year=2010|work=Visit Dorset - What's On|publisher=Destination Dorset|accessdate=28 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65xOOgFBF|archivedate=6 March 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/districts/eastdorset/8216655.Dance_is_a_fine_thing_at_Wimborne_Folk_Festival/|title=Wimborne Folk Festival|year=2010|work= Bournemouth Daily Echo |accessdate=10 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/663eam5aa|archivedate=10 March 2012|deadurl=no Dorset holds several larger musical events such as Camp Bestival , 'Endorse It In Dorset', End Of The Road Festival|End of the Road and the Larmer Tree Festival .cite news|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-14135993|title=Dorset's Lulworth Castle ready for Camp Bestival|publisher= BBC |accessdate=9 March 2012|date=25 July 2011cite web|url= http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/leisure/reviews/9195892.Endorse_It_In_Dorset__Sixpenny_Handley/ |title=Endorse It in Dorset|year=2011|newspaper= Bournemouth Daily Echo |accessdate=9 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/661vZe5rk|archivedate=9 March 2012|deadurl=nocite news|url= http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/end-of-the-road-festival-larmer-tree-gardens-dorset-1787308.html |title=End of the Road Festival|date=15 September 2009|newspaper= The Independent |accessdate=28 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/661wr4eqq|archivedate=9 March 2012|deadurl=no|location=London|first=Nick|last=Hastedcite web|url= http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/leisure/music/reviews/9146114.Larmer_Tree_Festival_2011/|title=Larmer Tree Festival|year=2011|newspaper= Southern Daily Echo |accessdate=9 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/661wPuz7V|archivedate=9 March 2012|deadurl=no
Dorset's only Football League club is A.F.C. Bournemouth , which plays in Football League One|League One —the third highest division in the English football league system . Non-League semi-professional teams in the county include Conference South team Dorchester Town F.C. and Southern Premier Division team Weymouth F.C. . Dorset County Cricket Club competes in the Minor Counties Cricket Championship and is based at Dean Park Cricket Ground in Bournemouth. Rugby Union is played throughout the county—the Dorset & Wiltshire Rugby Football Union is the constituent body responsible for organising competitions on behalf of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).cite web | title = Dorset & Wilts RFU (CB) | url = http://clubs.rfu.com/Clubs/portals/dw/ | publisher = Rugby Football Union | accessdate = 25 August 2009|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/661xCaid1|archivedate=9 March 2012|deadurl=no The county's coastline is noted for its watersports which take advantage of the sheltered waters of Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour ,cite web | title = Water Sports and Water Activities in Weymouth and Portland, Dorset UK | url = http://www.visitweymouth.co.uk/index.php? resource=22 | publisher = Weymouth and Portland Borough Council | accessdate = 25 August 2009|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65xOtoq5S|archivedate=6 March 2012|deadurl=no and Poole Bay and Poole Harbour .cite web | title = Poole Tourism – Harbour and Marina Information| url = http://www.pooletourism.com/go.php? structureID=pages& ref=I485138C771A4E| publisher = Poole Tourism | accessdate = 10 March 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/663fetV4c|archivedate=10 March 2012|deadurl=no Dorset will host the sailing events at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in Portland Harbour. The venue was completed in May 2009 and will be used by international sailing teams in preparation for the Games.cite web | title = 2012 work completed at WPNSA | url = http://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/2012sailingvenueofficially.aspx | publisher = Royal Yachting Association | year = 2009 | accessdate = 10 August 2009|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/663gAysUc |archivedate=10 March 2012|deadurl=nocite news | title = Sailing rivals use Olympic venue | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8193246.stm | publisher = BBC News | accessdate = 10 August 2009| date=10 August 2009cite news | title = First 2012 Olympic venue unveiled | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7753734.stm | publisher = BBC News | accessdate = 30 September 2009| date=28 November 2008
Dorset is famed in literature for being the native county of author and poet Thomas Hardy , and many of the places he describes in his novels in the fictional Thomas Hardy's Wessex|Wessex are in Dorset, which he renamed South Wessex .Blamires (pp.112–114)cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/dorset/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8158000/8158886.stm|title=Dorset's writers and explorers|publisher= BBC News |date=22 July 2009|accessdate=30 May 2011 The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust owns Thomas Hardy's Cottage , in Higher Bockhampton, east of Dorchester; and Max Gate , his former house in Dorchester.cite web | title = Hardy Country| url = http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardy-country/| publisher = National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust | year = | accessdate = 2 February 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/663gbgdWs|archivedate=10 March 2012|deadurl=no Several other writers have called Dorset home, including Douglas Adams who wrote much of '' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy while he lived in Stalbridge ;cite web | title = Up Kilimanjaro with the Adams Family| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2005/08/24/adams_rhino_feature.shtml | publisher = BBC Dorset| date =24 August 2005 | accessdate = 30 May 2011 Ian Fleming ( James Bond '') boarded at The Old Malthouse|Durnford School ;cite news | last = Britten | first = Nick | title = Ian Fleming 'used 16th century spy as inspiration for James Bond' | newspaper= The Daily Telegraph | date = 30 October 2008 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3285886/Ian-Fleming-used-16th-century-spy-as-inspiration-for-James-Bond.html | accessdate = 30 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/663h6LuqC|archivedate=10 March 2012|deadurl=no | location=London John le Carré , author of espionage novels;cite news|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/mar/30/john-le-carre-profile|title=John le Carré|newspaper= The Guardian |date=30 March 2011|accessdate=30 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/663ho0bna|archivedate=10 March 2012|deadurl=no|location=London|first=Carmen|last=Callil Tom Sharpe of Wilt (novel)|Wilt fame lived in Bridport;cite news| title = Welcome to Bridport, or Notting Hill on Sea | newspaper= The Daily Telegraph | date = 17March 2007 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3357164/Welcome-to-Bridport-or-Notting-Hill-on-Sea.html | accessdate = 30 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/663iQWync|archivedate=10 March 2012|deadurl=no | location=London | first=Adam | last=Edwards John Fowles ('' The French Lieutenant's Woman ) lived in Lyme Regis before he died in late 2005;Blamires (p.88) T.F. Powys lived in Chaldon Herring for over 20 years and used it as inspiration for the fictitious village of Folly Down in his novel Mr. Weston's Good Wine'';Blamires (p.225) John Cowper Powys , his elder brother also set a number of his novels in Dorset.Cite news |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2006/aug/12/featuresreviews.guardianreview14 |last=Drabble |first=Margaret |title=The English degenerate |newspaper= The Guardian |date=12 August 2006 |accessdate=11 August 2009| location=London |postscript=.|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/663j0Xb5M|archivedate=10 March 2012|deadurl=no The 19th century poet William Barnes was born in Bagber and wrote many poems in his native West Country dialect|Dorset dialect . Originating from the ancient Proto-Norse language|Norse and Old Saxon|Saxon languages, the dialect has been disappearing since the arrival of the railways and Barnes's poetry is considered an important, historical record.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9006358.Dorset_dialect_of_William_Barnes/|title=Dorset Dialect of William Barnes|date=4 May 2011|work= Dorset Echo |accessdate=29 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/663jNIO85|archivedate=10 March 2012|deadurl=no
Flag of Dorset|Dorset's flag , which is known as the Dorset Cross, was adopted in 2008 following a public competition organised by Dorset County Council.cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7596296.stm|publisher= BBC News |title=Dorset Cross becomes Dorset flag|date=17 September 2008|accessdate=27 May 2011 The winning design, which features a white cross with a red border on a golden background, attracted 54% of the vote.cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2008/04/18/dorset_flag_feature.shtml|publisher= BBC News |title=Dorset's new flag|date=17 September 2008|accessdate=27 May 2011 All three colours are used in Dorset County Council's coat of arms and the red and white was used in recognition of the Flag of England|English flag .cite web|url= http://dorsetflag.webs.com/flagexplainedindetail.htm|publisher=Dorset Flag|title=Flag explained in detail|accessdate=27 May 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/663wB89mj|archivedate=10 March 2012|deadurl=no The golden colour represents Dorset's sandy beaches and the Dorset landmarks of Golden Cap and Gold Hill, Shaftesbury|Gold Hill . It is also a reference to the Wessex#Wyvern or dragon|Wessex Dragon , a symbol of the Wessex|Saxon Kingdom which Dorset once belonged to, and the gold wreath featured on the badge of the Dorset Regiment . The flag is also known as St Wite's Cross after a holy woman buried in Whitchurch Canonicorum , who was slain by Vikings in the 9th century. Dorset's motto is 'Who's Afear'd'.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2010/02/a-miscellany-of-dorsetshire-memorials/|title=Dorsetshire Memorials|work=Dorset Life|date=June 2011|accessdate=21 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665CItbu7|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no
Transport
Main|Transport in DorsetDorset is connected to London by two main railway lines. The West of England Main Line runs through the north of the county at Gillingham and Sherborne. Running west to Crewkerne (Somerset) and Axminster (Devon) it provides a service for those who live in the western districts of Dorset.cite web | title = Route 4 Wessex Routes | url = http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/RoutePlans/2008/Route%204%20-%20Wessex%20Routes.pdf | publisher = Network Rail | year = 2008 | accessdate = 27 August 2009|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665DKuJ29|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no The South Western Main Line runs through the south at Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester and the terminus at Weymouth.cite web | title = Route 3 South West Main Line | url = http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3102_Route%203%20South%20West%20Main%20Line.pdf | publisher = Network Rail | year = 2008 | accessdate = 27 August 2009|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665DZECMe|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no Additionally, the Heart of Wessex Line runs north from Weymouth to Bristol and the Swanage Railway , a Heritage railway|heritage steam and diesel railway , runs the convert|6|mi|0 between Norden railway station|Norden and Swanage .cite web|url= http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/index.htm|title=About Us|publisher= Swanage Railway |year=|accessdate=20 June 2011
Dorset is one of the few counties in England not to have a single motorway.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=163317& filetype=pdf|title=Marine and Maritime Industries|publisher=Dorset Coast Forum|page=5 (The Transport Network)|year=|accessdate=2 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665EfsfuV|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no The A303 road|A303 , A35 road|A35 and A31 road|A31 trunk road s run through the county.cite web | title =Newtwork Management| url = http://www.cleanhighways.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/National_Trunk_Road_map1-2.pdf | publisher = Highways Agency | year = | accessdate = 8 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665FQu4D4 |archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no The A303, which connects the West Country to London via the M3 motorway (Great Britain)|M3 , clips the north-west of the county.cite web|url= http://maps.google.co.uk/maps? hl=en& pq=dorset+roads+map& xhr=t& q=dorset+road+map& cp=11& rlz=1G1ACAW_ENUK436& bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.& biw=1600& bih=805& bs=1& wrapid=tljp130777665532300& um=1& ie=UTF-8& hq=& hnear=0x486d80aaedabf177:0x33a1f481bada6d5f,Dorset& gl=uk& ei=mBbzTfmWF4-ChQfB8tXJBg& sa=X& oi=geocode_result& ct=title& resnum=1& sqi=2& ved=0CDQQ8gEwAA |title=Google road map – Dorset|publisher= Google Maps |year=|accessdate=11 June 2011 The A35 crosses the county in a west-east direction from Honiton in Devon, via Bridport, Dorchester, Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, to Southampton in Hampshire. The A31 connects to the A35 at Bere Regis , and passes east through Wimborne and Ferndown to Hampshire, where it later becomes the M27 motorway (England)|M27 . Other main roads in the county include the A338 , A354 , A37 road (England)|A37 and A350 road|A350 . The A338 heads north from Bournemouth to Ringwood (Hampshire) and on to Salisbury (Wiltshire) and beyond. The A354 also connects to Salisbury after traveling north-east from Weymouth in the south of the county. The A37 travels north-west from Dorchester to Yeovil in Somerset. The A350 also leads north, from Poole through Blandford and Shaftesbury , to Warminster in Wiltshire.
Two passenger sea ports and an international airport are situated in the county. Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries , operate out of Poole Harbour ; Brittany Ferries provide access to Cherbourg in France, while Condor Ferries sail a seasonal service to Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands , and St Malo , France.cite web|url= http://www.phc.co.uk/comm_roro_passengers.html |title=Port of Poole passenger services|publisher=Poole Harbour Commissioners|page=|year=|accessdate=13 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665FtP7b8|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no Condor Ferries also operate services from Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth harbour to Guernsey, Jersey and St. Malo throughout the year.cite web|url= http://www.condorferries.co.uk/Terminal/weymouth.html|title=Weymouth ferry terminal guide|publisher= Condor Ferries |year=|accessdate=13 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665GQfPC5|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no Both Poole, since the dredging of the main channel in 2008, and Portland harbours are capable of taking cruise liners.cite web|url= http://www.jurassiccoast.com/307/jurassic-news-36/news-archive-164/regions-success-on-world-stage-at-seatrade-cruise-forum-490.html|title=Seatrade Cruise Forum|publisher=Jurassic Coast|year=|accessdate=13 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665H9XMg7|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no Bournemouth Airport , which is situated on the edge of Hurn village convert|4|mi|0 north of Bournemouth, has flights to 36 destinations and serves some 600,000 passengers a year.cite web|url= http://www.dorset-transport.info/index.html|title=Transport and Travel|publisher=Dorset Transport and Travel|page=|year=|accessdate=17 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665iKXmXK|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://www.bournemouthairport.com/bohweb.nsf/Content/AboutUsandOurGroup |title=About Us and Our Group|publisher= Bournemouth Airport |year=2012|accessdate=21 May 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/67pjYUVKp|archivedate=21 May 2012|deadurl=no In August 2007 work began on a £32& nbsp;million expansion programme which includes enlargement of the terminal building and an increase in parking.cite web|url= http://www.airportwatch.org.uk/news/detail.php? art_id=643|title=Bournemouth Airport's £32m Expansion Approved|publisher= AirportWatch |year=2007|accessdate=13 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665VgCT3o|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no
Dorset is served by 14 commercial bus operators.cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/387255 |title=Bus Operators|work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=15 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665YG4vvN|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no The Wilts & Dorset bus company has a county wide network with frequent services linking many major towns, and a limited service in a number of more rural locations.cite web|url= http://www.wdbus.co.uk/|title=Home Page|publisher= Wilts & Dorset |year=|accessdate=17 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665j6UhFf|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=no The First Hampshire & Dorset|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 Coast service, one of the longest bus routes in the UK, which provides through travel from Poole to Exeter, exploiting a popular tourist route.cite web|url= http://www.dorset-transport.info/weymouth-transport.html|title=In and Around Weymouth|publisher=Dorset Transport and Travel|page=|year=|accessdate=17 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/665bwAJQc|archivedate=11 March 2012|deadurl=nocite web|url= http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/dorset/ |title= Dorset & South Somerset|publisher= FirstGroup |year=|accessdate=17 June 2011 Yellow Buses are the main providers of routes within the South East Dorset Conurbation.cite web|url= http://www.bybus.co.uk/about-us/history/|title= History|publisher= Yellow Buses |year=|accessdate=17 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/666XBPqgF|archivedate=12 March 2012|deadurl=no Damory Coaches is one of a number of operators that provide access to more rural communities.cite web|url= http://news.dorsetforyou.com/2011/03/replacement-of-nordcat-bus-services-in-central-and-west-dorset/ |title= Replacement of Nordcat bus services|work = Dorset For You|publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=18 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6683MqFe3|archivedate=13 March 2012|deadurl=no
Education
see also|List of schools in Dorset|List of schools in Bournemouth|List of schools in PooleResponsibility for state school s in Dorset is divided between three local education authorities : Dorset County Council, which covers majority of the county, and Bournemouth and Poole unitary authorities. Most of the Dorset County Council area operates a two-tier Comprehensive school|comprehensive system whereby pupils attend a primary school before completing their education at secondary school . Only Dorchester, Ferndown, Wimborne and Purbeck maintain a Three-tier education|three-tier system ( first school|first , middle school|middle and high school ),cite web|url= http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp? mediaid=138961& filetype=pdf|format=PDF|title=School Pyramid List|page=1|year=2011|work=Dorset for You|publisher= Dorset County Council |accessdate=23 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6683stXXI|archivedate=13 March 2012|deadurl=no although Purbeck is expected to switch to a two-tier system by 2013 due to an excessive number of surplus school places.cite news|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-11870023|title=Purbeck school system overhaul agreed|publisher= BBC News |date=29 November 2010|accessdate=23 June 2011 Bournemouth operates a two-tier system; Poole operates a three-tier system but will switch to two-tiers from September 2013.cite web|url= http://boroughofpoole.com/news/ref:N46BB286C33779/|title=Landmark Decision For Poole Schools|publisher= Borough of Poole |date=11 May 2007|accessdate=23 June 2011|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080706170140/ http://www.boroughofpoole.com/news/ref:N46BB286C33779/|archivedate=6 July 2008|deadurl=yesPoole and Bournemouth are two of a minority of local authorities in England still to maintain selective education, each containing two Single-sex education|single-sex grammar school s which select pupils on the basis of an eleven plus examination. Some of the county's schools are Academy (English school)|academies —self-governing state schools which have become independent of their local education authority and are maintained directly by the Department for Education .cite web|url= http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/xls/a/publication%20list%20june%202011.xls|format=XLS|title=Sponsored Academies|publisher= Department for Education |year=2011|accessdate=23 June 2011 In 2010, 59.4% of pupils attending schools in the county council area gained at least five GCSE s at A*–C grades including English and maths, above the national average of 53.4%.cite news|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/education/school_tables/secondary/10/html/835.stm|title=Secondary schools and colleges in Dorset|publisher= BBC News |date=12 January 2011|accessdate=23 June 2011 Bournemouth and Poole also recorded above average results at 56.5% and 55.3% respectively.cite news|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/education/school_tables/secondary/10/html/837.stm|title=Secondary schools and colleges in Bournemouth|publisher= BBC News |date=12 January 2011|accessdate=23 June 2011cite news|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/education/school_tables/secondary/10/html/836.stm|title=Secondary schools and colleges in Poole|publisher= BBC News |date=12 January 2011|accessdate=23 June 2011 However, the majority of non-selective schools in the two unitary authorities fell below the national average.cite news|url= http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/education/8785033.Mixed_fortunes_in_school_league_tables/|title=Mixed fortunes in school league tables|newspaper= Bournemouth Daily Echo |date=12 January 2011|accessdate=23 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6684bpqXE|archivedate=13 March 2012|deadurl=no
Dorset contains a range of privately-funded independent schools . Many are boarding school s which also take Day school|day pupils such as the co-educational Canford School which is based around a 19th century Grade I listed manor house , St Mary's School, Shaftesbury|St Mary's , a Catholic girls' school in Shaftesbury, and Sherborne School , a boys school founded in the 16th century.cite web|url= http://www.sherborne.org/school/School_History|title=A short history of Sherborne School|publisher= Sherborne School |year=2011|accessdate=23 June 2011
Four of the county's five largest towns contain a further education college: Weymouth College , Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester and Bournemouth and Poole College which is one of the largest in the UK.cite web|url= http://media.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/partnerinstitutions.html#bournemouthpoole|title=Partner colleges|publisher= Bournemouth University |year=2011|accessdate=23 June 2011|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101104022601/ http://media.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/partnerinstitutions.html#bournemouthpoole|archivedate=4 November 2010|deadurl=yes Dorset has two higher education establishments situated in the heart of the county's south east conurbation. Bournemouth University has several facilities across Bournemouth and Poole and over 17,000 students.cite web|url= http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/introduction_to_bu/history_university.html|title=University history|publisher= Bournemouth University |year=2011|accessdate=23 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6685GFbIg|archivedate=13 March 2012|deadurl=no Previously named Bournemouth Polytechnic, it was granted university status as a result of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 . The Arts University College at Bournemouth is situated between the border of Poole and Bournemouth. It became a higher education institute in 2001 and was given degree-awarding powers in 2008, although its origins go back to 1883.cite news|url= http://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/the-arts-university-college-at-bournemouth-1733667.html|title=The Arts University College At Bournemouth|newspaper= The Independent |date=1 May 2011|accessdate=23 June 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6685Z1f8M |archivedate=13 March 2012|deadurl=no|location=London
See also
Custos Rotulorum of Dorset —list of keepers of the rolls for Dorset
Dorset (UK Parliament constituency) —list of MPs for the abolished Dorset county constituency
High Sheriff of Dorset|List of High Sheriffs of Dorset
List of Parliamentary constituencies in Dorset
Notes
Reflist|colwidth=30em
References
cite book |first=Harry|last=Blamires|authorlink=Harry Blamires|year=1983|title=A Guide to twentieth century literature in English|location=London|publisher= Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-416-36450-7
cite book|last=Cullingford|first=Cecil N.|year=1980|title=A History Of Dorset|location=Chichester, West Sussex|publisher=Phillimore & Co|isbn=0-85033-255-9
cite book |first=John |last=Chaffey|title=The Dorset Landscape, Its Scenery and Geology|year=2004|publisher=Dorset Books|location=Tiverton, Devon|isbn=1-871164-43-5
cite book |title=Dorset; The Complete Guide |last=Draper |first=Jo|year=2003|publisher= Dovecote Press|location= Wimborne, Dorset|isbn= 0-946159-40-8
cite book |first=David |last=Hilliam |title=The Little Book of Dorset|year=2010|publisher= The History Press |location=Stroud, Gloucestershire|isbn=978-0-7524-5704-8
cite book |title=Avon Valley Footpath Guide |last=Moxey |first=Sarah |year=1997|publisher=Halsgrove |location=Wellington, Somerset |isbn=978-1-874448-26-6
cite book |first=Bill |last=Putnam |title=Discover Dorset: The Prehistoric Age|publisher=The Dovecote Press|location=Wimborne, Dorset|year= 1998|isbn=1-874336-62-8
cite book |first=R.|last=Wightman |title=Portrait of Dorset|year=1983|publisher= Robert Hale |location=London|isbn=0-7090-0844-9
cite book |first=John |last=Wright |title=Discover Dorset, Rivers and Streams|year=2003|publisher=Dovecote Press|location=Wimborne, Dorset|isbn=1-904349-10-2
cite book |first=Anne |last=Yarrow |title=Corfe Castle|year=2009|publisher= National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust |location=Swindon, Wiltshire|isbn=978-1-84359-004-0
cite book |first=Barbara |last=Yorke |authorlink=Barbara Yorke|title=Wessex in the Early Middle Ages|year=1995|publisher= Continuum International Publishing Group |location=London|isbn=978-0718518561
