How much average house prices around Dorset have changed

Dorset is full of unique places to live in, with plenty of stunning beauty spots, scenic villages and commutable areas near larger towns and cities

The coronavirus pandemic has also caused a rethink about people working from home as people are less willing to live in larger areas in order to commute to offices if their jobs can be effectively carried out at home.

The pandemic has also caused a change in house prices, with some reporting minimal increases or slight decreases in value. While a two per cent growth doesn’t sound like a lot, it can still mean an extra few thousand pounds added to average house value.

Using Zoopla data, we have complied a list of the average house value across areas of Dorset and how much they have changed over the last 12 months.

An aerial shot of Christchurch, Dorset

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Broadly looking at the list, it is clear that popular seaside towns are where average house values are rising due to people wishing to trade their city lifestyle for the sea air. We have included towns or prominent areas of Dorset, so we haven’t included tiny villages or suburbs of large areas.

Christchurch has seen the biggest increase, with a 4.37 per cent growth in value or £18,216 increase over the last 12 months. Weymouth, another popular seaside town, has come second after reporting an increase of £12,011 in house prices over the last 12 months.

Gillingham in North Dorset reported the biggest decrease in house value, with a drop of £10,681 in the average house price.

From lowest to highest, here are the changes in average house values of towns and major areas in Dorset over the last 12 months:

• Gillingham - Current value £284,257, a decrease of £10,681 (-3.62 per cent)
• Swanage - Current value £399,336, a decrease of £10,598 (-2.58 per cent)
• Portland - Current value £209,556, a decrease of £4,637 (-2.17 per cent)
• Wimborne - Current value £425,633, a decrease of £8,687 (-2.00 per cent)
• Corfe Mullen - Current value £375,012, a decrease of £7,653 (-2.00 per cent)
• Beaminster - Current value £372,714, a decrease of £6,408 (-1.69 per cent)
• Sturminster Newton - Current value £362,848, a decrease of £6,028 (-1.63 per cent)
• Poole - Current value £387,235, a decrease of £4,500 (-1.15 per cent)
• Bournemouth - Current value £326,460, a decrease of £3,137 (-0.95 per cent)
• Bere Regis - Current value £345,312, an increase of £807 (0.23 per cent)
• Wareham - Current value £393,716, an increase of £921 (0.23 per cent)
• Corfe Castle - Current value £535,482, an increase of £1,247 (0.23 per cent)
• Sherborne - Current value £374,875, an increase of £2,052 (0.55 per cent)
• Blandford Forum - Current value £357,019, an increase of £2,884 (0.81 per cent)
• Lyme Regis - Current value £469,483, an increase of £8,030 (1.74 per cent)
• Verwood - Current value £395,548, an increase of £7,932 (2.05 per cent)
• Bridport - Current value £367,942, an increase of £9,108 (2.54 per cent)
• Charmouth - Current value £424,725, an increase of £10,510 (2.54 per cent)
• Shaftesbury - Current value £363,694, an increase of £9,281 (2.62 per cent)
• Dorchester - Current value £370,676, an increase of £11,269 (3.13 per cent)
• Ferndown - Current value £419,884, an increase of £12,928 (3.18 per cent)
• Weymouth - Current value £290,792, an increase of £12,011 (4.31 per cent)
• Christchurch - Current value £434,787, an increase of £18,216 (4.37 per cent)

Tom Parker, consumer spokesman at Zoopla, said: “A highly desirable place to live, many parts of Dorset have plenty to offer homeowners and as a result, command higher house prices.

“Aside from sandy beaches and natural beauty, there are picture-perfect villages to explore, while towns like Bournemouth and Poole are brimming with places to eat, drink and shop.”