Dorset is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester, Dorset borders Devon to the west, Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north-east, and Hampshire to the east. Around half of Dorset's population lives in the South East Dorset conurbation. Dorset is famous for the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, which features landforms such as Lulworth Cove, the Isle of Portland, Chesil Beach and Durdle Door, as well as the holiday resorts of Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Swanage, and Lyme Regis.

Beaminster is a town in Dorset on the A3066 between Bridport and Crewkerne. It is in the valley of the River Brit. It is famous for the Beaminster Festival, an annual nine-day music and art festival.

Blandford Forum, or Blandford is a Georgian market town on the River Stour in Dorset. In the 2001 census the population was 8,755 people. Blandford is situated between Cranborne Chase and the Dorset Downs, at the south eastern corner of the Blackmore Vale, 25 km (16 miles) north-west of Poole and 34 km (21 miles) south-west of Salisbury.

Bournemouth is a large town and tourist resort, situated on the south coast of England. With a population of 164,000 it is the largest settlement in the ceremonial county of Dorset, and was within the historic boundaries of Hampshire. The town is a regional centre of education and business, and forms the main part of the South East Dorset.

Corfe Castle is a ruined castle, village and civil parish in the English county of Dorset. The castle dates back to the 11th century, and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. Even to this day, all road traffic to and from the Swanage area must pass below the battlements of the castle.

Dorchester is a market town in southern central Dorset, on the River Frome at the junction of the A35 and A37 roads, 20 miles (32 km) west of Poole and 8 miles (13 km) north of Weymouth. In 2001 the town had a population of 16,171 and a catchment population of approximately 40,000. There were 7,386 dwellings in 2001 and 205 shops in 1991. Dorchester has been the county town of Dorset since 1305. A market is held on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Evershot is a village in west Dorset, eight miles south of Yeovil. The village has a population of 206 (2001). It is believed that the village has featured in various novels by Thomas Hardy. Evershot village hall has long been regarded as an excellent venue for live music. The Tardis-like corrugated steel building reveals an inside clad with timber creating ideal acoustics for any live performance. A capacity of 200 gives performers and audience a chance to feel part of the intimate atmosphere the hall creates.

Gillingham is a town in the Blackmore Vale area of Dorset. The town is the most northerly in the county. It is 3 miles south of the A303 lying on the B3095 and B3081. It is near to the town of Shaftesbury which lies 7 miles to the south east. Neighbouring hamlets included Peacemarsh, Bay and Wyke. These hamlets have now however become part of Gillingham as it expanded.

Lyme Regis is a coastal town in West Dorset, situated 25 miles west of Dorchester and 25 miles (40 km) east of Exeter. The town lies in Lyme Bay, on the English Channel coast at the Dorset-Devon border. It is nicknamed "The Pearl of Dorset. The town has a busy calendar of annual events, including the 'Lyme Regatta', The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival (in conjunction with the London Natural History Museum) and Mary Anning Day. The traditional conger cuddling event takes place during Lifeboat Week. The 'Lyme Regatta' is an event which takes place over a whole week, during August and is organised by a committee of local volunteers. Funds are raised for local charities.

Poole is a large English coastal town, Borough, port and tourist destination, situated on the shores of the English Channel, in the ceremonial county of Dorset. The town is part of the South East Dorset conurbation. Poole is famed for its large natural harbour, claimed to be the second largest in the world.

Shaftesbury is a town in North Dorset, situated on the A30 road near the Wiltshire border 20 miles west of Salisbury. The town is built 750 feet (over 200 metres) above sea level on the side of a chalk and greensand hill, which is part of Cranborne Chase, the only significant hilltop settlement in Dorset. It is one of the oldest and highest towns in Britain. In 2001, the town had a population of 6,665 with 3,112 dwellings, only a small increase from 1991.

Sherborne is an affluent market town in north west Dorset, situated on the River Yeo and A30 road, on the edge of the Blackmore Vale six miles east of Yeovil. The town has a population of 9,350 (as of 2001), and 40.8% are retired. The town is famous for its history, including its abbey, castles, manor house and private schools. The picturesque town is a popular, though relatively unknown, tourist town.

Swanage is a small town in the south east of Dorset. It is situated at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck, approximately 10 km south of Poole and 40 km east of Dorchester. The town has a population of 10,124 (2001). Nearby are Ballard Down, Old Harry Rocks and Studland Bay to the north and Durlston Country Park to the south. The town was a small port and fishing village until the Victorian era when it became a seaside resort.

Verwood is a small town on the River Crane 15 miles north of Bournemouth in East Dorset. Verwood is a rapidly growing area, with a 290% population increase over the past 35 years. The latest figure (2005 mid year estimate) for the civil parish is 13,680.

Wareham is a historic market town and, under the name Wareham Town, a civil parish, in the county of Dorset. The town is situated on the River Frome eight miles (13 km) south west of Poole.

Weymouth is a town in Dorset, situated on a sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Wey on the English Channel coast. The town is 13 kilometers (8 mi) south of Dorchester and 8 kilometers (5 mi) north of the Isle of Portland. The population of Weymouth is almost 52,000. The A354 road bridge connects Weymouth to Portland, which together form the borough of Weymouth and Portland.

Wimborne Minster (often referred to locally as Wimborne) is a market town in the East Dorset district of Dorset in South West England, and the name of the Church of England church in that town. The central town has a population of 6,418 (according to the 2001 Census) and is situated at the confluence of the River Stour and River Allen, five miles north of Poole.