Clockwise from top left Beaminster, Canford Cliffs, Wareham and Sherborne Pictures: Muddy Stilettos

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Eight best places to live in Dorset: Full list

Tait ap EllisOctober 16, 20250 Comment0

WHILE Dorset is famous for its bountiful picturesque towns and villages, a new list has put together the very best places to live in the county.

Digital lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos has launched its 2026 ‘best places to live’ guide.

260 locations have been hand-picked by the team to find “the loveliest city spots, towns and villages, with the best schools, shopping and pubs near you.”

Hero Brown, founder and editor-in-chief of Muddy Stilettos, said: “When people decide to move, they’re searching for more than just a house – they want a home, a lifestyle that works for them and their family, and if they’re strategic, a long-term investment too.

“Our 2026 Top 260 Best Places To Live guide will give them that extra reassurance they need to make their search easier in these difficult economic times.

“We’ve built our reputation on our first-hand knowledge of the most exciting, vibrant places to go and things to do outside London.

“Now, with Scotland and Wales added to the guide and new information added on important considerations such as schools, culture and health and wellbeing, the 2026 list is a natural step for us to continue to expand our authority in this area.

“Combined with up to the minute listings of desirable properties, we think it’s a unique reference point in a turbulent yet hopefully resilient property market.”

Here’s what Muddy Stilettos believes are the best eight places to live in Dorset for 2026 – complete with their reasons why:

Beaminster

“This pretty Dorset town with a conservation area at its heart is surrounded by lush countryside and has a relaxed, arty vibe. Oh, and it’s just six miles from the coast.

“A laid-back, pretty town with a bit of an arty feel, Beaminster has an attractive conservation area around the market square, is surrounded by lush countryside and not far from the sea. There’s a lot to like here.”

Beaminster Picture: Muddy Stilettos

Bridport

“Surrounded by stunning countryside and close to the sea, Bridport has a vibrant community, rich cultural scene and great indie businesses. Any more boxes left to tick?

“It has been called London-by-the-sea – but don’t let that put you off. Bridport has a vibrant community, rich cultural scene, and indie shop and eateries. It’s surrounded by stunning countryside – oh and did we mention? It’s just a mile-and-a-half to the sea.“

Bridport Picture: Muddy Stilettos

Canford Cliffs

“Walk through picturesque woods to a quiet, golden beach in this well-heeled, leafy suburb, with all the amenities of Poole and Bournemouth on your doorstep.

“Aside from the soft white sands, sparkling clean waters, restaurants, water sports and sailing? Situated along the eastern edge of Poole Harbour, Canford Cliffs ‘village’ is a quiet, well-heeled and leafy suburb of Poole with wooded ravines, picturesque walks to the nearby golden beach and some gorgeous properties – large family houses, apartments – old and new.“

Canford Cliffs Picture: Muddy Stilettos

Cerne Abbas

“This tiny Dorset village in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty punches well above its weight, with great pubs, a good school – and of course a historic naked man.

“Well there’s the huge naked man carved into the hillside for starters. But apart from him – fancy a tiny village in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Dorset Downs?

“Cerne Abbas has a main street lined with gorgeous historic buildings, three pubs and a brewery (hic), a shop with a post office, a good state primary school, a church and (important) a duck pond.

“It’s eight miles from Dorchester for culture and half an hour from the beautiful Jurassic Coast. Any surprise Cerne Abbas has made it on to our list of top places to live in Dorset?“

Cerne Abbas Picture: Muddy Stilettos

Lyme Regis

“If it was good enough for Jane Austen… with Georgian streets, indie shops and cafes and a famous ancient harbour, Lyme Regis on the Jurassic Coast is a handsome gem.

“Georgian streets and old alleyways, loads of independent shops and eateries, excellent local schools, an ancient harbour (and even more ancient fossils) are all there for the taking in this seaside town on Dorset’s spectacular Jurassic Coast. Jane Austen was a visitor and her novel Persuasion was inspired by the town. If it was good enough for her…”

Lyme Regis Picture: Muddy Stilettos

Sherborne

“This medieval Dorset market town has a fab selection of indie shops, top notch restaurants, excellent schools and more than 200 clubs you can join.

“The picture postcard market town in north-west Dorset has gorgeous medieval and Georgian properties, an eclectic array of independent shops, cafés and restaurants, excellent schools, a magnificent abbey and not one but two castles.”

Sherborne Picture: Muddy Stilettos

Southbourne

“This Bournemouth ‘burb is buzzing with cool places to eat, drink and hang out, good schools and transport links, and brilliant beaches.

“A buzzing Bournemouth suburb, ‘Sobo’ is popular with young professionals and families alike. There are great places to eat, drink and hang out, good schools (including a girls’ and a boys’ grammar), efficient transport links – and if you fancy, you could spend every day on one of the UK’s best beaches.“

Southbourne Picture: Muddy Stilettos

Wareham

“Move to this charming walled town between two rivers on the Isle of Purbeck and the delights of the Jurassic Coast will be on your doorstep.

“Located between the Rivers Frome and Piddle (only in Dorset!), and close to Poole Harbour, this sleepy historic market town with its picturesque quay, grid streets dating back to Roman times, Saxon walls and rows of Georgian cottages, is sometimes described as the gateway to the Isle of Purbeck.

“With the 60 square mile peninsula’s stunning countryside and many of Dorset’s most iconic attractions, including the incredible Jurassic Coast, on your doorstep, what more could you want?”