Dorset is a unitary authority area in Dorset, formed in 2019 from the merger of five former districts (Weymouth and Portland, West Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, and East Dorset), encompassing the county town of Dorchester, the historic towns of Weymouth, Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Blandford Forum, and Wareham, and numerous villages within one of England's most beautiful and geologically significant counties. This spectacular area features the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, the Dorset AONB, the Purbeck Hills, and landscapes celebrated in the works of Thomas Hardy. The climate is mild and maritime with moderate rainfall, with the coast enjoying particularly sunny conditions and the inland chalk downs creating beautiful landscapes. Culturally, Dorset holds exceptional heritage significance with the Jurassic Coast (England's only natural World Heritage Site, with 185 million years of geological history exposed in the cliffs, including Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, and Chesil Beach). The area preserves exceptional heritage including Thomas Hardy's cottage and the landscapes of 'Hardy's Wessex' (celebrated at the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester), Sherborne Abbey and its two castles, Corfe Castle (dramatic ruins dramatically sited in the Purbeck Hills), Portland Castle (Henrician fortress), and Abbotsbury with its swannery and sub-tropical gardens. The historic towns include Dorchester (with its Roman remains and Judge Jeffreys connections), Weymouth (elegant Georgian seaside resort with its harbour and beach), Shaftesbury (with its famous Gold Hill, cobbled street featured in the Hovis advert), and Lyme Regis (the 'Pearl of Dorset', famous for its Cobb harbour and fossil hunting). The Dorset AONB offers spectacular walking including the South West Coast Path and the Dorset Downland. The Purbeck Hills provide beautiful scenery while the Isle of Portland (connected by Chesil Beach) has its own distinctive character. The county's literary connections (Hardy, Jane Austen, and John Fowles) attract visitors from worldwide. Boundary GIS data for Dorset Council is available for download in GeoJSON and KML formats, essential for managing this World Heritage coastline, protecting the Dorset AONB, preserving the unique Hardy landscapes and literary heritage, and supporting sustainable tourism across one of England's most beautiful and geologically significant counties.

📍 Administrative boundary of dorset local authority district

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