Purbeck named among best places to live by Sunday Times

The Isle of Purbeck, which includes Swanage, Wareham, Lulworth, Wool and more, has been praised by judges for being “the place to live a country life by the sea”. 

Corfe Castle, Monkey World, the Tank Museum, beaches and Old Harry Rocks are just a flavour of what Purbeck has to offer.

Among those listed as the best places in the south west include Falmouth in Cornwall, Dartmouth in Devon and regional winner Sherborne. 

On Purbeck, the judges said: “There’s countryside here for everyone, with cliffs, moorland, meadows and marshes. 

“Swanage, the largest town, is a seaside resort that’s traditional yet lively, with its high street of independent shops and a calendar packed with festivals.”

Class 117 diesel mechanical multiple unit at Corfe Castle (Image: Andrew Wright)

The Sunday Times’ expert judges have visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street. 

Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a celebration of towns, cities and villages that are each a fantastic place to live in 2024, from Dunkeld to Knutsford, Falmouth to Leeds. Wherever you are on the property ladder, there will be somewhere to suit you.   

“These are all places where you can feel grounded as well as upwardly mobile: they have a mature sense of community, lively, supportive high streets and an eye to the future, whether that is eco-friendly measures, transport and regeneration, or imaginative inclusion of new housing.”  

On Sherborne, the judges said: “A busy high street and high-class education helped to make this community-centred, cultured town our best address in the southwest.  

“Sherborne is handsome and historic, but it’s the friendly, energetic population that really makes it stand out.  

“There are more than 200 community groups covering every conceivable interest, while the opening of Sherborne House as a high-end arts and community centre later this spring will add extra cachet to a town that already has a perceptible spring in its step.”