A large detailed map of Dorset, England

Explore Dorset with this interactive street and satellite map. You can “grab” the Dorset map and move it around to re-centre it. You can change between standard map view and satellite map view by clicking the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. You can use the zoom buttons on the lower right side of the map to zoom in or out to street-level detail. You will find links to city and town maps, live weather and local news below.

Dorset County Map

About Dorset

Undulating chalk downs, like slumbering giants, dominate the inland geography, their rounded forms softened by centuries of grazing sheep and the occasional scattering of ancient beech woods. The River Stour, a silver thread, meanders lazily through verdant valleys, feeding fertile farmland before meeting the sea. Along the southern edge, the Jurassic Coast unfurls a dramatic tapestry of towering cliffs, secret coves, and fossil-strewn beaches, a testament to the earth's slow, powerful shaping. This wild, elemental beauty, from the stark heights of Bulbarrow Hill to the windswept expanses of the Purbeck Ridge, lends Dorset a profound and enduring character.

Echoes of Roman occupation linger in the earthworks near Dorchester, a testament to the county's long human history, while Saxon settlements, like Wimborne Minster, stand as enduring testaments to early Christianity. Medieval castles, such as Corfe, whisper tales of siege and rebellion, their ruined ramparts a stark reminder of turbulent times. Later, the county played a vital role in the Civil War, and the agricultural rhythms established through centuries of farming have shaped its very soul, a continuity unbroken by the swift currents of modern change.

Agriculture remains the backbone of Dorset's economy, its dairy herds producing world-class cheese and its fields yielding bountiful harvests, a tradition deeply ingrained in the landscape. Beyond the pastoral, Poole Harbour, a vast natural haven, supports a significant maritime industry, while Sturminster Newton retains its historic market town charm, a hub for local produce. Manufacturing, though less dominant than in former industrial heartlands, still provides employment, and the tourism sector, drawn by the county's natural allure, offers a vital contribution to its prosperity.

The people of Dorset possess a quiet resilience, their lives often dictated by the seasons and the land, a characteristic reflected in their steadfast traditions and enduring sense of community. Hardy farmers, weathered fishermen, and artisans preserving age-old crafts form the fabric of its society, a gentle demeanour often masking a deep-rooted independence. Literary giants like Thomas Hardy, whose Wessex is inextricably linked to this region, have captured the essence of its rural charm and the stoic spirit of its inhabitants, whose way of life remains a gentle counterpoint to the clamour of the wider world.

Dorset Maps

"© OpenStreetMap contributors, CC BY-SA".

Districts of Dorset

1 - Dorset
2 - Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

CC BY 3.0

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dorset City and Town Maps