•  Dorset, England

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In 1887, John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles described Dorset like this:

Dorset, maritime co., on S. coast of England; is bounded N. by Somerset and Wilts, E. by Hants, S. by the English Channel, and W. by Devon; length, E. and W., 52 miles; breadth, N. and S., 37 miles; coastline, 75 miles; area, 627,265 ac.; pop. 191,028. The main features of the coast are Poole Harbour, St Alban's Head, and the singular projection called the Isle of Portland. ...

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The principal streams are the Stour and the Frome. Great part of the co. is traversed by the two ranges of chalk hills called the North and South Downs, and the soil consists mainly of chalk, gravel, and sand, but is very fertile in the valleys. Wheat and barley are grown in the W. and N. Immense flocks of sheep are pastured on the Downs. Dairy farms are generally large, and dairy husbandry is carried to a very high point of perfection. (For agricultural statistics, see Appendix.) The only mineral of any importance is Portland stone, quarried in the Isle of Portland. There are mfrs., to some extent, of sailcloth, sacking, nets, paper, silk, &C., with malting and brewing, and iron-founding. The fisheries, especially of mackerel, are considerable, and ships and yachts are built at Poole. The co. comprises 34 hundreds, 22 liberties, 290 pars, and a part, and the mun. bors, of Blandford, Bridport, Dorchester, Lyme Regis, Poole, Shaftesbury, and Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. It is mostly in the diocese of Salisbury. For parl. purposes it is divided into 4 divisions, viz., Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western, 1 member for each division.

Dorset through time

Dorset is now part of Dorset county. Click here for graphs and data of how Dorset has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Dorset itself, go to Units and Statistics.

Dorset -- but you should check this covers the area you are interested in.

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