Come and join us here at The Bridges Medical Practice!
Living and working in South West Dorset.
See also Doorway to Dorset
Weymouth sea front
Housing
Milton Abbas Dorset
Dorset boasts a varied stock of housing from period properties straight out of a Hardy novel to brand new developments such as the experimental Poundbury development or the new Brewery Square buildings.
The average house price in Dorset is £292117, but that is perhaps skewed by Sandbanks (the most expensive area in the UK) and the average house price in Weymouth is a more affordable £231,774.
Poundbury Developement
Schools
Dorset is extremely fortunate to have some exceptional schools. The Ofsted ratings for Dorset schools are overwhelming good. Locally Dorchester's Thomas Hardy School received an ‘outstanding’ rating and 65% of students achieved 5+ GCSEs at A*-C grades in 2015. For A levels the overall pass rate rose to 99% in 2015 with the number of grades A-C standing at 83%.
All Saints school in Weymouth is also rated outstanding achieving a GCSE pass rate at A*-C of 64%.
Weymouth College achieved a overall A-level pass rate of 98%.
Dorset is also nationally known for the choice and quality of it’s independent schools.
Kingston Maurwood is a land-based college offering apprenticeships and university level courses and is rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.
Free time
Portland Sailing Academy
You will never be short on activities to occupy your free time in South West Dorset. With miles of World Heritage Jurasic Coast to explore, from both land and sea, it is a haven for water sports lovers , walkers, runners and cyclists.
Each year there is a full calendar of sailing events, cycle races,triathlons and runs including the Weymouth Half Marathon.
Food and Drink
Weymouth and surrounding areas are a magnet for foodies. River Cottage, Wild Garlic and Hive Beach Café are a few of the big names.
Every town boasts a vibrant Farmers Market most weekends of the year. Local produce can be bought direct from small farm shops.
Dorset produces it’s own wine, ale and cider as well as it’s own cheeses.
Arts and culture
Weymouth Harbour during the Sea Food Festival
Each year Dorset holds the Dorset Arts Weeks where studios open their doors to visitors for free.
There is a full calendar of festivals in Dorset. The most famous being Camp Bestival held annually at Lulworth Castle. Weymouth’s own festivals include The Seafood Festival, Festival of the Sea, Waterfest Weymouth, Quayside Music Festival and the Kite Festival
There are many other events throughout the year including Weymouth Carnival, Dragon boat racing, Weymouth Keelboat Regatta, Motorcross on the beach, The National Ironman Triathlon, Chase the pudding and The Christmas Day Harbour Swim.
Ironman Triathlon