Category — Dorset

The South West boasts a wealth of coastal property for sale. The South West Coastal Path alone, runs some 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset. The path travels through a diverse set of landscapes from the soporific coastline of South Devon, to the dramatic and rugged Atlantic coastlines of North Devon and Cornwall.

Coastal Property For Sale

The level of coastal property available for sale is equally diverse from ancient fishermen’s cottages to splendid manor houses as well as stunning contemporary architecture.

The varied coastline offers tremendous scope for all sorts of property buyers, from families looking for a second home, sailing enthusiasts, surfers, walkers as well as a wealth of rural property inland.

The accessibility of the South West through major road, rail and air routes, as well as a warmer climate, makes it the most desirable choice for many property buyers, particularly those in their retirement years.

For many, the idea of coastal property need not always include a sea view. Sometimes, just being close to beaches, walks and activities is sufficient to provide the lifestyle change you seek.

Investment Property

There is always a constant demand for waterside and coastal property. The limited supply of such property undoubtedly means higher prices but a safer investment regardless of outside influences in the property market and the wider economy.

Waterside property owned as an investment will always attract a great following for people wishing to holiday in the area. There is a market for renting out holiday properties finished to a high standard.

Devon

Devon has two very different coastlines, each with its own character and attributes. North Devon is a surfers paradise lashed by Atlantic waves, whilst South Devon has numerous coastal inlets that are havens for the yachting fraternity, now augmented by high quality, shops, restaurants, bars and amenities.

In addition, and by no means to be forgotten, is the English Riviera, the original destination in Devon for holidaymakers.

Dorset

Dorset coastal property lies on the Jurassic Coast. It is officially a national park and protected by its status. The coastline offers dramatic cliffs, coastal valleys and rocky beaches. The English Channel is a gentler sea than the Atlantic, and the countryside bordering the coast reflects this, with a rolling and beautiful landscape.

Dorset is highly accessible, being that much nearer to London and, for some, is commutable.

Cornwall

Cornwall appeals to those looking for wild and rugged landscapes and weather. Being on the furthest promontory of the country, this is where you can distance yourself from the rat race. Again, there are definite hotspots in the coastal property market, such as the Helford Passage, Rock, Padstow, St. Ives & Fowey.

These are the areas that have traditionally appealed to the affluent, with prices to match. For those prepared to look further afield, yet still be close to these areas, there is a wealth of property offering potential without the premium property prices.

Somerset

The Somerset coast is an often forgotten and bypassed coastline, with hidden gems. Bordering the Exmoor national park and hiding the Quantocks, the Brendon Hills and the Blackdown Hills, this area offers stunning rural landscapes, dramatic coastal scenes and yet is accessible via the M5 and with convenient mainline railway connections.

Starting Your Coastal Property Search

It’s important to get to know the area you want to live in before making a significant financial commitment. What attracts you to the coast? What do you want to get from your change in location and lifestyle? More often than not, starting a search, whether for coastal or any other kind of property, should begin with introspection rather than a view to the actual properties themselves.

Make a list of what you want from your life, not just your property. This single exercise can prove enormously helpful in understanding exactly what you want to be looking for and where.

Using A Property Search Agent

For those unable to spend the time or money investigating the whole of the South West, a property search agent may well prove a sound investment, identifying areas that will best suit your requirements. They will handle your search from initial enquiry, discovering your requirements and then matching them to the available properties and areas. They will handle complex price negotiations, as well as surveys and liaising with solicitors, through to completion.

Recoco have been helping clients buy property in the South West for over 10 years, with over 30 years of experience in the regional property market and a lifetime of local knowledge.

“He really does seem to know every little village in the area, and househunting went from being a bit of a headache to being an exciting adventure once again.”

Should you need  further help in your property search, please call us on 01392 433 544 for an informal discussion of your requirements.

Why Relocate To Dorset?

Dorset is a somewhat forgotten county in the rush to buy premium property in the South West.
Every county we cover is different. And the primary reason many individuals search for property (with or without buying agents) in Dorset is that it’s more commutable.

Dorset: Commutable, Rural, High Quality Property

Dorset allows you to make the most of the rural lifestyle whilst still being able to retain connections, business or otherwise, with London.
Despite its relatively small, size, most of Dorset is incredibly rural, with around 42% of its total population living in Poole and Bournemouth. This leaves plenty of room for fields, sheep and you.
The quality of property available in Dorset is high. Think of it as an unsung Cotswolds.

Many properties have been built in stone and Dorset has a wealth of rectory houses and manor style property.

Rectory Houses & Manor Property in Dorset: The History

Dorset became wealthy from the middle ages onwards because of the woollen trade. From this wealth, land owners invested in building large manor house properties.

Running a large manor property required workers, and built an economy of its own. Landowners built the villages and had wealthy sons who required professions, hence a wealth of Rectory property.
The result for us, is that there’s a great deal of high quality property, built in stone, form rectory to manor houses in Dorset.

Education

Dorset boasts a large number of very well respected independent schools. Amongst them include Sherborne, Bryanston, Clayesmore and Leweston, to name a few.
Like private schools in Devon, they offer an education with reputations that rival London private schools, but in a more congenial rural landscape, which many families want as their lifestyle and “quality of life” requirements change.

Roads, Railway & Airports

Roads

Dorset is well connected by the A303, and A31, with the M3 running from Southampton to the M25. The road networks are generally good, though the A303 is sometimes a slow route during peak tourist season times.

Railways in West Dorset

Though there are railway stations around Bournemouth and Poole, we do not mention them here because we do not work directly in the East Dorset property market. We can however, recommend property search agents who cover this area and we’ll be happy to refer you onwards.
You’ll find railway stations in Wool, Moreston, Weymouth, Upwey, Dorchester West, Dorchester South, Grimstone, Maiden Newton, Evershot, Yetminster, Yeovil Junction, Sherborne.
If commuting is going to be an option, it’s worth ensuring a train station is nearby. After a long commute, perhaps the last thing you’ll want is a lengthy drive.

Coastal Property For Sale in West Dorset

Dorset has, of course an extensive coastline with a great deal of coastal and beach property available. Situated along the Jurassic Coast with Lyme Regis at is Eastern border, and the famous sand banks to the West at Weymouth (an entire world of property in its own right).

National Parks

There are no national parks as such in Dorset. However, you’ll find the New Forest, Exmoor and Dartmoor in neighbouring counties.

Climate

With a long stretch of coast, Dorset benefits from its coastal border. It has slightly higher temperatures in winter along with Devon and Cornwall than the rest of the UK. Dorset enjoys a relatively sheltered position from storms originating from the Atlantic.
This weather map will give you a good idea of average mean temperatures in Dorset:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/17.gif

Using A Property Search Agent

If you are actively looking at fine rural and coastal property for sale in West Dorset, you might want to seek extra help from a property search agents like Recoco.
Every year we help a small list of private clients find property in West Dorset, Devon Cornwall and Somerset.
We can handle your entire purchase from search and shortlisting, through specialist surveys, meeting with architects etc. to price negotiation and completion.
Is it an unfair advantage? We think so. But that’s precisely why our clients choose us.

To find out more, please call us on +44 (0)1392 433 554 and we’ll be happy to talk to you about your next property purchase in Devon.