Fordingtons - Estate Agents & Lettings

The local area

Dorchester

Dorchester is a bustling market town with a rich history dating back to Roman times and was also the home of Judge Jeffrey and Thomas Hardy. As the county town of Dorset, it houses District and County Council offices along with a wide range of amenities and sports facilities. Dorchester South railway station has direct routes to larger nearby towns such as Bournemouth and Southampton along with London Waterloo. The market town has a bypass which links with the major roads network offering good access to nearby motorways (there are none in Dorset!) and regional airports in Bournemouth, Exeter and Bristol. The town centre offers a range of shopping facilities and a busy market on a Wednesday. There is a large district hospital and many local schools with excellent reputations. Dorchester is just a short drive away from the coast, the nearest seaside town being Weymouth.

Dorchester schools http://www.alltheschools.com/dorset/dorchester.htm
Dorchester tour guide http://www.touruk.co.uk/dorset/dor_dorc.htm

Weymouth

Weymouth is a busy traditional seaside town that attracts many holidaymakers to the area. There is an elegant Georgian seafront overlooking a lovely golden beach, set in a safe and scenic bay. Weymouth harbour houses a fleet of fishing vessels and the nearby marina is home to a number of private yachts and cruisers. Condor operates a high-speed hydrofoil service to the Channel Isles from Weymouth and the train station is the beginning of the railway line to London Waterloo. The town offers a wide range of amenities and an excellent shopping centre. There are many excellent schools to choose from and a local college. The town is quieter during the winter months but although Weymouth is thought of predominantly as being a seaside resort, local amenities are such that there is still plenty to do.

Weymouth schools http://www.alltheschools.com/dorset/weymouth.htm
Weymouth tour guide http://www.touruk.co.uk/dorset/dor_wey.htm

Portland

Connected to the mainland by a thin causeway at the eastern end of Chesil Beach is the ‘Isle’ of Portland. Despite not actually being an island, it is felt that this sense of detachment from the mainland is what gives Portland its strong community feeling. The Jurassic Coast World Heritage coastline is a fascinating area for walkers and geological explorers alike and offers magnificent views along the Chesil bank towards Bridport and Lyme Regis. Portland is a renowned centre for divers and rock climbers and is also popular with wind surfers. There is a good range shops on Portland along with local schools and a Community Hospital. More amenities can be found in nearby Weymouth, which is served by numerous buses.

Portland schools http://www.alltheschools.com/dorset/portland.htm
Portland tour guide http://www.touruk.co.uk/dorset/dor_port.htm

Surrounding area

Dorset is predominantly a rural County with approximately 150 villages, each having its own character, history and charm. Some have unusual names such as Toller Porcorum, Plush and Piddletrenthide and many, like Evershot, Nettlecombe and Cerne Abbas are tucked away in valleys. Should you require information on any villages in this recognised area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the team will be happy to help.