š¦ 14 Devine Facts about Dorset
Dorset is one of the UKās most visually appealing counties! Itās a popular holiday destination for walkers and seaside enthusiasts alike.
There are thousands of things to explore and uncover here ā and weād wager that there may even be a few facts youāre unaware of! Hereās some fun facts about Dorset you might not know of.
1. Thereās history in abundance.
One of the main reasons to visit Dorset lies in the Jurassic Coast. Itās a UNESCO world heritage site, and extends across 95 miles, county-wide!
2. Thereās millions of years of coast to explore.
The Jurassic Coast is hugely popular thanks to its incredible, rugged history. Visitors can walk along cliffs and terrain dating back 185 million years!
3. Itās a big filming location.
The area is also famous for appearing in various TV shows and movies. One of the most famous TV shows filmed here in recent years is Broadchurch, an ITV crime drama.

Brownsea Castle, Poole Harbor, Dorset
4. Youāve also seen it in many a music video.
You may well have seen Dorset used as a backdrop in many music videos. Christmas hit āSaviourās Dayā, performed by Cliff Richard, had a breezy promo filmed near the cliffs. The iconic video for āYellowā by Coldplay was filmed in the area, too.
5. Itās free from major roads.
Dorset is one of very few counties in the UK which donāt have a motorway running through them. Therefore, itās A-roads and local strips all the way!
6. The scouts started here.
Brownsea Island, near the town of Poole and its harbor, is the birthplace of Robert Baden-Powellās scouting movement.
7. Dorset was a big inspiration for some beloved works of fiction.
Dorset has also provided plenty of inspiration for famous works of fiction. In particular, childrenās author Enid Blyton was enamored with the area, inserting it into many of her legendary works.
8. Two big UK brands started here.
Dorset is also the birthplace of two big retail names. New Look, the popular fashion retailer, started life here in 1969, while Lush, the vegan soap and bathing shop, started up in 1995 over in Poole.
9. Millions flock to Bournemouth each year.
Bournemouth is perhaps Dorsetās most famous seaside resort. Itās one of the most popular seaside haunts in the UK as a whole, and over 2,000 ice creams are thought to get sold here each day!

Bournemouth, Dorset
10. Itās a very sparse county.
Thereās plenty of space. Dorset is only thought to host 197 people, on average, per kilometer.
11. The long and winding roadā¦
Dorset is said to be the proud owner of the UKās bendiest road. The winding, wobbling B3081 stretches for up to a mile, meaning it pays to be careful traveling down this route!
12. Thereās a post box here older than anyone on the planet.
Howell, a tiny village in Dorset, has a world record. Itās home to the UKās oldest post box! It dates back over 160 years ā meaning itās older than anyone living in the UK right now!

Weymouth Harbor, Dorset
13. UFO spotting is big out here!
Dorset is also supposedly home to the first UFO sighting in the UK. Believe it or not, we first started looking for little green men all the way back in 1733, where a sighting was claimed in and around the town of Fleet.
14. Dorsetās life expectancy is pretty impressive.
Dorset is a popular retirement resort. Whatās interesting, however, is that people living in the county are thought to have an extended life expectancy of more than two years over the national average!

Portland Bill lighthouse
FAQs about Dorset
Is it expensive to live in Dorset?
Thanks to its fabulous coastline, Dorset is very appealing to settle down in - and while pay per annum may be high out here, house pricing and living costs are, too.
Which food is Dorset famous for?
Dorset is famous for its apple cake, its blue vinney and its Portland Pudding!
Does Dorset have any cities?
There are very few built-up areas in Dorset. Bournemouth is the biggest draw here and itās a seaside town at largest!
Do you know any fun facts about Dorset? Ā Share them in the comments below!
This page was last modified on December 5, 2021. Suggest an edit